Global Leaders Convene in The Hague to Secure Future Technologies
The Hague, Tuesday, 24 June 2025.
Over 950 participants from 32 countries attended ‘Securing the Future’ conference, focusing on AI, drones, and maritime innovations, enhancing NATO security collaborations.
A Global Gathering with a Future Focus
On 22 June 2025, the city of The Hague hosted the ‘Securing the Future’ conference, bringing together over 950 representatives from 32 nations, just a day before the NATO summit. This event, held at the Binckhaven innovation campus, highlighted the global emphasis on advancing dual-use technologies such as artificial intelligence, drones, and maritime safety innovations. By focusing on the integration of civilian and military technologies, the conference aimed to strengthen NATO’s collaborative security framework, paving the way for innovative advancements in global defense strategies [1][2].
Strategic Defense Innovation Announcements
The ‘Securing the Future’ conference was marked by the introduction of the new Strategic Defence Innovation Research (SDIR) approach. This initiative aims to align early collaboration and open innovation with unmet technological needs, emphasizing partnerships between young tech startups and established defense sectors. With backing from prominent figures like State Secretary Gijs Tuinman, the SDIR seeks to foster significant technological developments that have yet to be realized, thus positioning NATO as a launching customer for groundbreaking innovations [1][2].
Economic and Collaborative Implications
Key regional officials, including Meindert Stolk, Deputy for Economy and Innovation in South Holland, and Saskia Bruines, The Hague’s Economic Development Councillor, underscored the importance of the event. They highlighted Zuid-Holland’s unique position as a hub for dual-use innovation, thanks to its diverse array of companies and sectors that lead in areas such as cybersecurity and maritime security. Saskia Bruines remarked that such gatherings bolster The Hague’s reputation as an international city of peace and justice, and they reflect its commitment to becoming a nucleus where innovation and security mutually reinforce each other [1][2].
From Talks to Action: Immediate Outcomes
The conference resulted in over 200 one-on-one meetings, leading to numerous new collaborations aimed at accelerating technological innovation and securing funding for emerging dual-use technologies. Notably, the NATO Innovation Fund and the Dutch SecFund provided early-stage financing to 20 companies, demonstrating strong support for innovative defense projects. Companies like Tective Robotics, which focuses on autonomous drone launch systems, benefitted from these investments, enabling them to advance to the next phase of development while seeking further financial support to scale production [1][2].