Symposium RISE-SD

The first symposium on research and innovation in European security and defense - "Research and innovation in European security and defense" (RISE-SD) was opened on 31.05.2022 as a new accompanying event within Hemus 2022.

The aim of the symposium was to exchange knowledge and experience, to share the results achieved and to deepen cooperation in the field of security and defense in order to make full use of the opportunities provided by new technological trends and scientific achievements. The symposium was opened by the director of the Defence Institute - Col. Assoc. Prof. D.Sc. Borislav Genov, and greetings were given by the Deputy Minister of Innovation and Growth - Ms. Karina Angelieva, by the Deputy Minister of Defense - Mr. Stanimir Georgiev, by Mr. Sebastian Serviak - DG Migration and Home Affairs in The European Commission, Mr. Eric Staudacher - General Manager, AFCEA Europe and others.

In his welcome address, Deputy Minister Georgiev noted that in the current tense security environment, it is very important to focus efforts on strengthening cooperation by sharing research knowledge and experience to help the European community to be adequate to the changing security environment and to take full advantage of the new technological trends and scientific advances. All this determines the need for scientists, researchers and specialists to lead more active communication and discussion for future cooperation in the implementation of joint R&I projects to achieve the objectives of the European Commission in the field of security and defense.

The symposium was attended by more than 30 speakers on projects funded by the European Union, as well as representatives of EDA, the Directorate-General for Defense Industry and Space (DG DEFIS), the European Commission, the NATO Science and Technology Organization (NATO STO) and others.

The symposium was a forum for more than 100 experts from various European institutes, scientific and business organizations, gathered to exchange experiences and establish long lasting and useful direct links, in order to deepen cooperation between project teams and organizations to successfully absorb the positive results of research in the field of security and defense.