Joint Statement following the Copenhagen Quantum Conference on 29 September 2023

Joint Statement by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following the Copenhagen Quantum Conference on 29 September 2023

War is back in Europe. Threats to our security are multiplying and global competition is intensifying. Authoritarian regimes are contesting the rules-based international order. At the same time, new and disruptive technologies, including artificial intelligence, big data and quantum, are transforming our societies and changing the nature of conflict. Faced with this new security reality, those of us who believe in freedom and democracy are working ever more closely together to protect our people and values, including by innovating in new technologies.

NATO has always been at the forefront of innovation to protect all Allies with cutting-edge tools and capabilities. However, our technological edge is being challenged as countries that do not share our values race to develop and control new technologies with no transparency or regard for human rights. NATO is re-doubling our efforts to accelerate innovation, and to develop and implement emerging technologies rapidly and responsibly to keep our people safe.

Today’s Copenhagen Quantum Conference 2023 brought together ecosystem representatives and experts from across NATO and partner nations, to ensure we harness the benefits and mitigate the risks of quantum technologies. We also launched the Copenhagen-based accelerator site ‘Deep Tech Lab – Quantum.’ As part of NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA), this Lab will help start-ups working with quantum technologies commercialise quantum-enabled solutions, and is an outstanding example of Denmark’s contribution to Euro-Atlantic security.

Building a transatlantic quantum community is essential to promoting closer collaboration among public, private and academic sectors, and accelerating responsible innovation in quantum and quantum-enabled technologies. This is key for our security and to ensure we stay one step ahead, now and in the future.