Europees project SFIR-Ready - Bezoek aan het universitair ziekenhuis van Luik

*** Toespraak gegeven op 31 maart. Enkel het gesproken woord telt***

Ladies and gentlemen,
It is a pleasure to attend this EU SAFIR-Ready Executive Conference here in Liège.
Many years ago, I had the privilege of meeting Mikael Shamim for the first time when I was mayor of Antwerp.
As mayor, you often come across people who are enthusiastic about their ideas or their ambitions.
Usually, it's about things you don't understand yourself - in my case, almost anything to do with technology or innovation.
So you try to remain polite and wish them every success.
Often, you never hear from them again.
Mikael, on the other hand, is one of those people who keeps popping up, always with the same passion.
And who, in the meantime, has built up a track record to be proud of, on a subject that is particularly topical and highly important for this country and for Europe.
I am therefore grateful that he invited me here to address you briefly.
Drone logistics lies at the very heart of the priorities that are paramount for Europe today: sovereignty, technological progress and resilience.
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Ladies and gentlemen,
Technological evolution is moving at great speed.
That evolution also has a darker side.
On the front lines in Ukraine, and in the Middle East, we see how drones wreak terrible havoc.
But drones do not merely sow death and destruction.
They can also give life. They can make our world a better place.
That thought, that certainty, brings us together today.
Everyone in this room is helping to write a story about how this technology can be used to help people and save lives.
Everyone in this room is a link in the chain that makes our society stronger.
Today, we are considering how drones can contribute to that goal.
We are making the clear choice that technology must serve humanity.
And what could be a more logical application than healthcare and sustainability?
With SAFIR-Ready, we are working on an ecosystem in which drones are safely integrated into our logistics chains and our healthcare system.
The development of automated drone cargo ports is a perfect example: they are integrated with hospitals and laboratories, and can accommodate various types of drones.
This means that blood, isotopes, medication or human tissue are no longer stuck in traffic, but can reach their destination within minutes.
The benefits are obvious, not only in terms of healthcare but also for urban mobility and making our logistics more sustainable.
Belgium is a natural host to serve as a living laboratory for this. We have a strong and versatile logistics infrastructure, an innovative ecosystem, a dense population, and effective cooperation between government, research and industry.
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Ladies and gentlemen,
Anyone who invests today in safe and socially beneficial drone applications is investing in the resilience of our healthcare systems and in Europe's strategic autonomy.
SAFIR-Ready is Europe at its best. It is a grassroots collaboration across borders and different sectors, with a shared objective: to develop safe and socially driven applications for drone technology.
In an uncertain world, it is essential that Europe commits to strategic and technological autonomy.
Whoever masters the technology, masters the future.
Because innovation is the driving force behind progress and economic growth.
For many people, technology and innovation remain somewhat intangible and are sometimes viewed with suspicion.
Images spring to mind of digital processes, tiny chips or complex devices.
That is why it is all the more important to translate these developments into tangible achievements: better healthcare and smarter mobility.
Drones are a powerful symbol of this.
Their usefulness in emergency situations such as medical emergencies, disasters or major fires is clear. They can be deployed more quickly than helicopters, are more flexible, and are often more efficient too.
We therefore have a responsibility to anchor the role of drones in society.
Our citizens must also be able to rely on drones being safe, on their privacy being respected, and on applications offering clear added value.
Because public trust is essential.
By developing our own standards, harmonising regulations and supporting innovation, we ensure that Europe is not dependent - but sets the direction.
Cooperation between stakeholders is crucial. All are represented here: governments, businesses, the medical sector, and research institutions.
You are setting standards.
You are developing the technology.
You are working towards a better future.
So let us continue to walk this path together.
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Ladies and gentlemen,
Europe has a unique strength:
We combine innovation with values.
Today, we are working together for a resilient and responsible Europe.
Innovation, technological progress and competitiveness will make Europe safer, smarter and more sustainable.
And you are all committed to improving and protecting the lives of Europeans and to make our society stronger.
I would like to thank you all sincerely for contributing to this.
And I wish you a productive and inspiring conference.