U.S. and Finland sign joint statement on cooperation in quantum information technology
On April 5, the United States and Finland signed the Joint Statement on Cooperation in Quantum Information Science and Technology (QIST), emphasizing the willingness of the two countries to strengthen cooperation in this field. Building on more than two decades of solid bilateral relations, the joint statement will leverage the strengths of both countries in QIST and QIST-supported areas to conduct innovative research, develop future markets, build strong supply chains, and nurture future generations of skills and talents.
So far, the United States has signed a joint statement on quantum information technology cooperation with the United Kingdom, Australia, Finland and other countries.
Monica P. Medina, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, and Ilona Lundström, Director of the Innovation and Corporate Finance Division at the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, signed a joint statement.
Medina said: “Quantum information science and technology represent a pathway to a more sustainable future, but these solutions will take time. I am excited to deepen my collaboration with Finland to achieve quantum benefits that benefit our economy, society and planet. technology."
Lundström said: "Quantum technology is one of the revolutionary technologies for which Finland has strong expertise. In order to take full advantage of this expertise, we need strong international networks and cooperation."
In recent years, both countries have been mobilizing resources for Quantum Information Science and Technology (QIST). In the U.S., government action gained momentum following the 2018 National Quantum Initiative, resulting in new policies and programs, including 13 QIST research centers for collaborative, multidisciplinary research and a national Q-12 educational partnership to advance quantum Awareness and nurturing the next generation of quantum workforce.
Likewise, Finland has historical advantages in QIST and QIST support areas such as cryogenic technology and microwave electronics. Also, in early 2020, Finland's VTT Technology Research Center announced plans to collaborate with Finnish startups to build the country's first quantum computer. The computer is intended to be a national resource and has been in operation since November 2021.
"Quantum has always been a global effort," said Charles Tahan, assistant director of quantum information science at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and director of the National Office of Quantum Coordination. "The United States and Finland share a common goal of accelerating the development of quantum information science and technology so that Benefit our society. The US-Finland Quantum Joint Statement signed today is an important step in creating a trusted network of ideas, people, businesses and values for this critical emerging technology.”
"Quantum technology has the potential to shape the global economy and even global politics," said Mikko Hautala, Finland's ambassador to the United States. "It is critical that trusted partners like the United States and Finland work closely together."
The joint statement reads as follows:
1. Recognize that science, technology and innovation bring transformative capabilities to sectors ranging from energy to health, communications to transportation, and that this progress is based on the global research enterprise and the new knowledge, understanding and insights it continues to create;
2. Recognize that quantum information science and technology (QIST) has revolutionized our understanding of fundamental phenomena with unprecedented precision, accuracy, and manner, as well as the development of powerful computers, secure and fast communications, and sensors;
3. Recognize that the emergence of this powerful technique depends on a major enhancement of the theoretical and practical understanding of QIST and the development of new tools for characterization, validation and verification purposes;
4. Recognize that international partnerships are the key to combining the expertise, ingenuity and creativity of our nations to help expand our fundamental understanding of QIST and thereby accelerate the realization of new technologies for the benefit of humanity;
5. Takes note of the terms of research and innovation projects in which the two countries are actively involved, and advocates in them international cooperation as open as possible;
6. We sign the following agreement, intending to use the spirit of science, technology and innovation to pursue cooperation and mutual respect, and to promote the development of QIST, including but not limited to quantum computing, quantum networking and quantum sensing, which is the foundation for the development of society and industry .
We intend to advance this agenda by:
1. To cooperate in good faith, based on our shared principles, including the values of openness, transparency, honesty, fairness, fair competition, objectivity and democracy.
2. Commit to creating inclusive scientific research communities and addressing cross-cutting issues of mutual concern, such as equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility, so that everyone can fully participate and have an equal opportunity to succeed.
3. Collaborate in workshops, seminars and conferences to discuss and endorse QIST research progress, which in turn will drive the identification of co-benefits and opportunities for future scientific collaborations.
4. Promote channels that encourage the establishment of broad and inclusive quantum ecosystems to facilitate multidisciplinary research and, where appropriate, to share research methods, infrastructure and data.
5. Promote sharing economy prosperity by building a trusted global marketplace and supply chain for QIST R&D, and by engaging stakeholders including industry alliances, research leaders, policy makers and commercial security stakeholders , to develop the future QIST market based on the principles of shared participation, thereby supporting economic growth.
6. Support the development of the next generation of scientists and engineers to expand the field, which may include personnel exchanges and other potential mechanisms.
7. Utilize regular multilateral opportunities to discuss QIST issues of international importance and respective policy issues.
8. Explore other potential activities as determined by participating countries.
The information provided in this statement and the resulting cooperation will use, as appropriate, the Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Finland on Scientific and Technical Cooperation as the operational framework. We intend to focus on the QIST collaboration outlined in this vision for mutual benefit among participating countries and continue to strengthen scientific collaboration under their respective leadership.
Link:
[1]https://www.quantum.gov/the-united-states-and-finland-move-to-strengthen-cooperation-in-quantum/
[2] https://www.state.gov/joint-statement-of-the-united-states-and-finland-on-cooperation-in-quantum-information-science-and-technology/
