Insider Brief

Denmark and Canada have signed a joint declaration to strengthen bilateral cooperation in quantum research, innovation, and technology development.

The agreement promotes collaborative research projects, researcher and student exchanges, and closer links between the two countries’ quantum ecosystems in areas such as commercialization, security, and standardization.

Officials from both nations emphasized that the partnership aligns with shared values and supports joint progress in critical technologies impacting health, energy, defense, and cybersecurity.

PRESS RELEASE — Minister of Education and Research Christina Egelund and the Canadian ambassador to Denmark Carolyn Bennet have signed a joint declaration to strengthen Danish-Canadian cooperation on quantum research and technology.

Quantum technology has become part of a global technological race. The critical technology has great potential, but can also pose a risk to the country’s security –, among other things, by breaking encrypted communication. Both Denmark and Canada are far ahead in the field, and now the two countries have entered into a joint declaration to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

Among other things, the Joint Declaration proposes supporting cooperation on research projects and the exchange of researchers and students. In addition, the Declaration must generally link the quantum ecosystems of the two countries closer together in innovation, commercialization, security and standardization.

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Quantum technology can break the framework for classical computing power and simulation and thus help develop new medicines and more accurate diagnostics, improve climate modeling and environmental monitoring, as well as technology can create secure communication and better protection against cyber attacks.

Minister of Education and Research Christina Egelund says:

– Canada is a very attractive partner in quantum technology, where they are leaders in several fields. At the same time, we share many basic values in the approach to research and innovation. That is why it is obvious that we are now strengthening cooperation, and it is based on a general broad and long-term commitment in the area by the government. Quantum technology is about the smallest particles of the universe, but the potential is huge. Therefore, our international cooperation must also be strong. 

Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen says:

– Denmark and Canada are already working closely in many areas such as security and defense, the Arctic, health and energy. The new collaboration with Canada on quantum technology opens the doors for new innovation opportunities, which will benefit both Danish companies and our shared security in the future. We need close cooperation on the development of critical technologies with like-minded countries in and outside Europe.

Canada’s Minister of Industry Mélanie Joly says:

– Canada is proud to work with Denmark to promote global leadership in science and technology. Our cooperation in quantum innovation reflects a common commitment to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges, from health care to clean energy and defense. This partnership strengthens cooperation between our nations and utilizes our overall expertise to move faster in the global technological race. Together we demonstrate how international cooperation can deliver real solutions and shape a safer and sustainable future.

Facts

In the quantum ecosystem, there are concrete partnerships between Danish and Canadian actors, including cooperation between Canadian companies Xanadu and Phantom Photonics, the former in collaboration with DTU and the latter with participation in NATO DIANA accelerator program.

Canada is one of the world’s leading quantum nations. In 2023, the country invested 1.7 per cent. of GDP in research and innovation, and Canada has a robust research environment with strong universities, several of which are among the top 100 worldwide.