US, Israel to collaborate on pandemic preparedness, climate change
Prior to Biden’s arrival in Israel, White House release join statement with Lapid regarding cooperation in technology
Even before U.S. President Joe Biden landed in Tel Aviv, the White House released a joint statement by the president and Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid declaring "enhanced cooperation" in pandemic preparedness and climate solutions, among other topics.
Solutions for pandemic preparedness will include "technology for disease surveillance and early warning, as well as rapid medical countermeasure responses (within 60-90 days)."
[Read full text of the Jerusalem Declaration here]
Cooperation on environmental challenges will focus on "developing tools capable of having an impact on the global climate crisis."
"This joint announcement puts Israel at the forefront of global innovation and solidifies its status as a leading technological power," said Lapid.
The statement further noted that the purpose is to promote "a shared agenda in the global arena."
According to a statement from the two leaders, "a Strategic High-Level Dialogue on Technology will be established by the countries' national security advisers that will focus on strategic technologies (artificial intelligence, quantum and solutions to global challenges such as climate change and improving pandemic preparedness."
The initiative aims to establish a technological partnership between the two nations which will include annual meetings on a few of these topics beginning this fall.
The dialogue will be established by the countries’ national security advisors – Israel’s Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technology, Anne Neuberger, and U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, and be led by the national security councils of the two countries and include representatives from various agencies in both countries.
The U.S. has similar agreements with Britain, Australia and Japan, but the goal of this project is to place Israel as America’s leading ally in the field of technology.
“Our vision for 1 million [Israelis working] in high-tech begins with international cooperation that will bring new opportunities for the high-tech sector in Israel,” Lapid said.
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
