Brussels:President von der Leyen delivered a keynote speech at the WinWin Brussels Summit, emphasizing Europe’s rich history of scientific innovation and its ongoing potential to lead in future technological advancements. She recounted the 1927 Solvay Conference, where Nobel Prize-winning scientists like Albert Einstein and Niels Bohr debated groundbreaking ideas, illustrating Europe’s longstanding tradition of intellectual brilliance.

According to European Commission – Lebanon, von der Leyen identified three main priorities for Europe to maintain and expand its innovative edge unlocking the potential of the Single Market, capitalizing on the clean energy transition, and harnessing artificial intelligence. She underscored the need for Europe to transform scientific breakthroughs into successful enterprises that create sustainable jobs and drive future prosperity.

Highlighting Europe’s strengths, von der Leyen noted that the continent accounts for nearly 30% of global patents in clean technologies and hosts a third of the world’s quantum companies. She called for collaboration to ensure Europe remains a hub for turning innovative ideas into life-changing products and services, emphasizing the importance of initiatives like the Scaleup Europe Fund, which supports growth-stage companies.

Von der Leyen also addressed the urgency of the clean transition, noting Europe’s commitment to becoming the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. She detailed the economic opportunities presented by the global clean technology market and announced the development of an Industrial Decarbonisation Bank to support industrial transformation.

Regarding artificial intelligence, von der Leyen stressed its potential to enhance prosperity and improve lives, citing applications in healthcare and industrial machinery. She highlighted Europe’s advantages in AI development, such as its scientific expertise and industrial data, and called for streamlined approval processes for AI-driven technologies to ensure their deployment across the continent.

In conclusion, von der Leyen urged Europe to combine its scientific talent with imagination to transform discoveries into industries of the future, echoing the spirit of the Solvay Conference’s illustrious participants.