The JSRIC meeting facilitated the exchange of science and research priorities and identified areas of collaboration for participants to take forward in the future.
This constitutes fresh steps between Australia and Switzerland to invigorate our bilateral cooperation in science, research and innovation.
The meeting brought together senior officials from both governments, including Swiss State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation Prof. Dr. Martina Hirayama, alongside prominent figures from Switzerland's scientific community. Discussions centred on aligning national priorities and identifying fertile ground for joint ventures.
The JSRIC focused on 5 key areas:
- academic networks and mobility
- critical emerging technologies
- health
- space, astronomy and earth observation
- Antarctic science collaboration.
Beyond the JSRIC, the Swiss delegation (Science and Business) attended a 'Pathways to Innovation' roundtable which showcased Australia's burgeoning innovation ecosystem: from the National Reconstruction Fund and Industry Growth Program, to the Australia's Economic Accelerator and CSIRO's 'ON' startup incubator and start-up landscape.
The full program underscored the potential for international engagement, offering mutual benefits through knowledge exchange, commercial partnerships and scientific collaboration. For two countries with strong traditions of research excellence, the rekindled ties signal a pragmatic and forward-looking approach to global innovation diplomacy.
After the event, Australia and Switzerland issued a joint communique, read the full text below.
Joint Communique
Australia-Switzerland Joint Science, Research and Innovation Committee Meeting
2 July 2025, Sydney
Australian and Swiss representatives met in Sydney, Australia on 2 July 2025 for the 2025 Australia-Switzerland Joint Science, Research and Innovation Committee Meeting (JSRIC). The previous JSRIC was held in person on 25 October 2016 in Bern, Switzerland.
The meeting was was co-chaired by the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources and the Swiss State Secretariat of Education, Research and Innovation and held under the auspices of the Swiss-Australian Joint Committee for Cooperation in the Areas of Science, Research and Innovation. The agenda included discussions on academic networks and mobility; critical and emerging technologies (such as batteries, biotechnology and quantum); health; space, astronomy and earth observation; and Antarctic science collaboration.
The JSRIC reaffirmed the strong relationship between Switzerland and Australia, facilitated the exchange of research collaboration priorities and identified areas of collaboration between relevant agencies to take forward in the future.
Ms Donna Looney, Head of Division, International Strategy and National Security Division, Department of Industry, Science, and Resources (DISR) co-chaired on behalf of Australia. The Australian delegation included DISR officials, including representation from the Australian Space Agency, and representatives from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water; the Department of Education; the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing; the National Health and Medical Research Council; and the Australian Research Council. State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, Martina Hirayama co-chaired for Switzerland. The Swiss delegation included SERI officials, and representatives of the Embassy of Switzerland in Australia, the Swiss National Science Foundation, ETH-Domain, the Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training, Switzerland Innovation, Swissuniversities, Movetia and the Swiss Polar Institute.
The JSRIC featured a diverse range of organisations and institutions across the two jurisdictions and provided a powerful convening function to connect, exchange insights and explore further collaboration opportunities.
Australia and Switzerland look forward to continuing strong bilateral science and technology research collaboration and keeping each other updated on topics of mutual interest. The next JSRIC meeting is planned to be held in Switzerland in 2027.
