How Eurescom is Paving the Way for Digital Partnerships via the Indo-Pacific collaboration: INPACE

Adam Kapovits
Eurescom

Alessandro Bassi
Eurescom

As the digital transformation of global economies accelerates, fostering international cooperation in digital technology has become essential. To support this vision, the EU-funded INPACE project was launched in January 2024. INPACE plays an important role in supporting the implementation and advancement of the Digital Partnerships established between the European Union and key Indo-Pacific countries, including Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Singapore, and through the Trade and Technology Council with India.

What is INPACE about?

The INPACE project, short for Indo-Pacific-European Hub for Digital Partnerships: Trusted Digital Technologies for Sustainable Well-Being, is a Coordination and Support Action designed to foster digital cooperation across the EU and the Indo-Pacific region. Running until June 2027, the project unites 21 European and Asian partners, creating a hub to support collaborative research, policy development, and industry connections. INPACE’s mission is to enhance digital technology partnerships and advance cooperation in strategic areas that benefit both regions. The digital partnerships cover an extremely wide range of technologies, notably through the collaboration in 16 Thematic Working Groups (TWGs) organised under 5 clusters (see Figure below).

The Context Behind INPACE: Strengthening EU-Asia Digital Cooperation

The European Union has made strides in building robust partnerships with Asia in digital technology fields. Guided by the EU’s Digital Compass Strategy and Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, Digital Partnerships were established with Japan and South Korea in 2022, and Singapore in 2023. Additionally, the EU initiated the Trade and Technology Council (TTC) with India to foster collaboration on technology and trade. These partnerships underscore a shared commitment to digital growth and emphasize the EU’s strategy to enhance cooperation on emerging digital technologies and develop policies for sustainable growth and resilience.

Objectives of INPACE

INPACE aims to turn these high-level partnerships into impactful projects by:

1. Supporting Digital Partnerships: Facilitating the EU’s Digital Partnerships and the TTC with India, translating these into tangible outcomes.
2. Boosting International Collaboration: Encouraging digital cooperation between Europe and Asia by connecting leading researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers.
3. Enhancing Research and Innovation Collaboration: Promoting joint research and industrial collaboration to drive technological advances and commercialization.
4. Fostering Policy Convergence: Supporting international digital policies to enhance synergies, inform policymaking, and facilitate international dialogue.
5. Promoting Human-Centered Technologies: Developing digital technologies that prioritize human-centric values for inclusivity, sustainability, and security.

The INPACE Symposium: Building Bridges in Digital Technology and Policy

The first INPACE Symposium on Digital Technologies and Policies took place on October 21-22, 2024, at the Daeyang AI Center, Sejong University, in Seoul, Republic of Korea. This two-day event brought together experts, policymakers, and industry leaders from Europe and the Indo-Pacific region to discuss key developments and policies in digital technology. Major topics included:

Trusted AI: Leveraging the power of AI responsibly, with an emphasis on ethics and reliability.
Semiconductor Innovation: Highlighting the latest advances in chip technology essential for digital infrastructures.
Future Networks: Analyzing the progress in next-generation connectivity and communication.
Cybersecurity: Addressing strategies to protect digital networks and data privacy.

Eurescom’s Dual Role at the INPACE Symposium

Eurescom plays a pivotal role at the INPACE Symposium with two significant contributions in the Technical Thematic Sessions and Workshops on October 21, 2024:

The first session on “5G/6G technologies” was moderated by Eurescom’s Project Manager Adam Kapovits. Joined by speakers professor Rui Aguiar, professor Hyonwoo Lee, and professor Sunwoo Kim, the session examined the current challenges in 6G development and with a focus on how Europe and the Republic of Korea can collaboratively address these issues, it surveyed the Republic of Korea and European 6G development strategies and research programmes. The technical discussion offered valuable insights into the future of connectivity and the various approaches and highlighted the potential for collaboration in next-generation networks development.
The second session, titled “EU Funding Opportunities” explored the new avenues for collaboration following the upcoming association of Republic of Korea with Horizon Europe. Moderated by Dr. Svetlana Klessova (GAC) and Adam Kapovits (Eurescom), the session outlined various funding opportunities within Horizon Europe, paying particular attention to Pillar II, which addresses global challenges and European industrial competitiveness. Dr. Klessova presented examples of Horizon Europe’s opportunities, while Mr. Kapovits discussed the Eureka programme, highlighting the CELTIC-NEXT initiative in which Korea is actively engaged.
A Q&A session followed, providing participants an opportunity to connect directly with the INPACE consortium and explore collaborative funding options in more detail.

Looking Ahead: The Future Impact of INPACE

INPACE will continue to work and align the strategies to further the goals of the Digital Partnerships and the Trade and Technology Council (TTC), fostering deeper cross-continental cooperation, advancing research and technology development, and supporting policy alignment.

In the coming months, INPACE has an exciting line-up of activities, including a series of webinars and a one-day workshop on 6G to be held at the University of Tokyo during EU-Japan Digital Week from 31st March 2025 to 4th April 2025. The second major symposium of INPACE is planned for the Autumn of 2025 in Singapore, building on the momentum of collaboration and innovation across regions.

This continued partnership will not only drive technological advancement but also contribute to a sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous digital future for Europe and the Indo-Pacific. The community is encouraged to stay tuned for these impactful events and initiatives that will further elevate digital cooperation and 6G innovation.

Further information