The European Union and South Africa celebrated the 30th anniversary of their bilateral research and innovation (R&I) cooperation on 17 June 2026 in Brussels, reflecting on joint achievements and pledging to deepen future collaboration. The partnership, formalised through the EU-South Africa Science and Technology Agreement signed in 1996, has become one of the EU's longest-standing and most comprehensive bilateral R&I agreements with a third country. The anniversary event, hosted by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, highlighted flagship initiatives developed over three decades, including public health cooperation under the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP), nuclear medicine research for cancer treatment via the NuMeRI programme, green transition projects under LEAP-Renewable Energy and LEAP-Sustainable Energy, innovation collaboration through the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), and capacity-building supported by the ESASTAP Network. Discussions also addressed the need to maintain strong international scientific cooperation amid geopolitical uncertainty, technological change, climate pressures, and health risks. High-level testimonials underscored the long-term impact of the partnership and the importance of science, technology, and innovation for a shared sustainable future. The anniversary concluded with renewed commitments to deepen cooperation in science, technology, and innovation, strengthen researcher mobility, support sustainable development goals, and further reinforce R&I collaboration between Europe and South Africa.