Statement from the UK government and Canada on
cooperation in quantum science and technologies.
1. Recognizing that the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland (UK) and Canada are global leaders in scientific
research and have strong and diversified science, technology, and
innovation relations, with extensive collaborations between
academia, industry, and government;
2. Understanding that quantum science and technologies – applying
quantum mechanics to explore new ways to enable enhanced
collection, transmission, processing, and visualisation of
information – could lead to the development of transformative
technologies such as novel computers, secure communication
networks, and more precise and accurate sensing and timing
capabilities;
3. Recognizing that, to support the growth of our quantum
industries, fostering partnerships with key international allies
and ensuring effective collaboration between academia, industry,
and government, is critical;
4. Acknowledging that cooperation between like-minded partners,
grounded in shared principles such as research integrity, are
vital to combine the expertise, ingenuity, and creativity of our
countries to expand our foundational understanding of quantum
science and technologies, and to accelerate the realization of
new quantum technologies for the benefit of society and in
support of our shared interests;
5. Recognizing that ongoing efforts and investments in research,
commercialization, security, intellectual property protection,
and knowledge mobilization are key elements of success for our
countries to benefit from quantum innovations and mitigate their
associated risks;
6. We intend to pursue cooperation and harness the constant
creation of new knowledge, understanding, and insights from our
innovation ecosystems, to advance interconnected, vibrant, and
secure quantum research and development (R&D) by:
a. Embarking on good-faith cooperation underpinned by our shared
values such as freedom of inquiry, merit-based competition,
openness and transparency, accountability, reciprocity, promoting
protection and enforcement of intellectual property, safe and
inclusive research environments, rigour and integrity in
research, research security, and reducing administrative burdens;
b. Creating inclusive scientific research communities and
tackling cross-cutting issues of common interest such as equity,
diversity, inclusion, and accessibility, so that every person is
able to fully participate and have an equal opportunity to
succeed;
c. Utilizing existing and future bilateral science and technology
cooperation mechanisms and multilateral cooperation frameworks,
and pursuing new implementation pathways, as appropriate, to
promote jointly funded and cooperative quantum R&D efforts;
d. Facilitating interactions between our governments, as well as
with academia and the private sector to discuss and understand
research trajectories in quantum technologies, which in turn will
inform the identification of overlapping interests, gaps, and
opportunities for future cooperation, including shared use-cases,
areas where standards are needed, and responses to the
as-yet-unknown implications and impacts;
e. commercialisation, and supporting economic growth by engaging
stakeholders including industry consortia, research, policy, and
business security stakeholders, to grow a future quantum
marketplace based on shared rules for engagement;
f. Creating regular bilateral and multilateral opportunities to
discuss matters of international importance and relevance to
policy issues including regulatory, social, security, mutual
access, supply chain resilience, and protection considerations of
quantum technologies;
g. Promoting multidisciplinary research and the
cross-fertilization and sharing of, on voluntary and mutually
agreed terms, research methodologies and data, including through
collaboration in activities, such as workshops, seminars,
conferences, and the exchange of people, particularly between
respective quantum centers and hubs and universities
participating in quantum R&D, to develop the next
generation of scientists and engineers vital to expand the field;
h. Building a talent pool and robust workforce for quantum
science and technology, to grow the quantum ecosystem, so that
quantum companies, academia and government have the people and
skills needed to improve the quality of life for our people
through public awareness-raising campaigns; science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics (STEM)
education; apprenticeships; doctoral training and researcher
exchanges; and
i. Encouraging broad and inclusive participation in, and adoption
of, quantum science and technologies for the benefit of our
respective economies and society;
7. We intend to focus on cooperation in quantum science and
technologies as outlined above to advance our shared vision of a
vibrant and trusted quantum R&D ecosystem that
promotes the mutual wellbeing, prosperity, and security of
present and future generations.
