New Commission, new priorities, new synergies

The European Commission’s new policy agenda is dizzying in scale and ambition, but for those tasked with leading its implementation, there are major challenges ahead. For one thing, the cross-cutting nature of many of the headline targets – climate neutrality, a European approach on AI, beating cancer, industrial modernisation, and more – means that effective cooperation between different institutions, directorates and services will be critical to success.

By extension, none of the above will be possible without sustained excellence and inputs from Europe’s research and innovation communities. Science and technology will be essential drivers of progress for most of the new College of Commissioners and their leadership teams – and as such, the contribution of Horizon Europe will be a significant factor in determining whether strategic goals are achieved.  

Against this backdrop, this Science|Business Network dinner debate will bring together a select group of Cabinet members for an informal discussion of how research and innovation can most effectively support their missions over the next five years – and perhaps more importantly, how they might connect the dots between portfolios more effectively to deliver long-term impact.