Within the framework of Eureka Turkey Presidency, the Global Innovation Summit started on June 13-14, 2024 at Haliç Congress Center in Istanbul.
Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır sent a video message to the summit. Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır said, "20 years ago we were ranked 39th worldwide in patent applications. Today we are ranked 12th in local patent applications. In 2002, there were only 414 domestic patent applications per year. Last year, we received 8,663 domestic patent applications. We are also second in the world in design applications. In order to ensure that scientific research contributes to the development of our countries, we have established an R&D and innovation ecosystem from scratch. In the last 20 years, we have increased our R&D expenditures 10 times; from 1.2 billion dollars to 12 billion dollars. Among 47 OECD member countries, we rank second. With the increase in our R&D workforce from 29 thousand to 272 thousand, we became the country with the highest increase in R&D personnel among OECD countries.
Today, there are more than 10,500 technology companies and over 1600 R&D and design centers operating in 102 technoparks in Turkey. Thanks to this ecosystem, high-tech sectors stand out positively in industrial terms. Our export volume increased from USD 36 billion to USD 260 billion. In 20 years, our manufacturing industry in particular has become a driving force for exports. We are Europe's leading producer of solar energy and various related products. We have managed to become a country that has a say in important technologies. We have made significant progress in the fields of aviation, defense and energy." He used these expressions.
"We will accelerate green and digital transformation in our country. As an indispensable component of the European research area, Turkey ranks 4th among the 16 countries participating in the Horizon 2020 Program.
Our aim is to achieve even greater success in Horizon Europe. The results of the first 3 years of the Horizon Europe Program show that Turkey's strong and positive trend continues. Since 2021, 527 projects, involving 877 Turkish researchers and innovators, have received €258 million in grant support. Turkey has been an active participant in the Eureka network since its inception in 1985. It contributes to and benefits from the collective wisdom and innovation that define this extraordinary platform. With its active stance in recent years, Turkey is among the successful actors of Eureka. In 2023, 276 Turkish organizations applied for funding under different Eureka programs. 116 organizations are participating in 37 projects approved for funding, attracting public-private investment of approximately 125 million euros."
Stating that they are happy that Brazil is joining Eureka, Kacır said: "We invite all nations, organizations and innovators to join Eureka to share their expertise on this journey and to collaborate and build a sustainable and prosperous society."
"The Summit is a testament to our shared commitment to foster a future driven by research, development and cutting-edge technology"
Speaking at the opening of the summit, Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal, President of TÜBİTAK, said: "It is a privilege to be on stage at this event, which symbolizes worldwide cooperation and innovation. The Summit is a testament to our shared commitment to promoting a future driven by research, development and innovation."
Emphasizing that global challenges have become more complex, dynamic and volatile, Mandal said: "Existing knowledge and experience may not be enough to cope with these challenges. For this, research, development and innovation with innovative approaches are our common language. For this reason, I think the role of Eureka globally has become more important than ever."
Noting that it is important to answer the question of how to find solutions as well as what the challenges are, the President of TÜBİTAK said: "Eureka is one of the important platforms to answer this question. For this reason, especially when we are holding the presidency for the years 2023 and 2024, we continue our work by addressing not only the name of the challenges, but also what we need to achieve at these points, and green and digital transformation are at the top of our agenda."
"We have demonstrated our commitment to developing our innovation ecosystem by creating a new funding mechanism to support their participation in Eureka calls"
Prof. Dr. Mandal said, "Turkey ranks third in the Eureka Network and second in participation in Eureka Clusters, underlining our commitment to innovation. In addition, this year, we demonstrated our commitment to developing our innovation ecosystem by creating a new funding mechanism to support universities and research centers to participate in Eureka calls."
"As we hand over the baton to Canada and Germany, two of the most important actors in the innovation ecosystem, we are at peace with what we have achieved and we have no doubt that the joint Canada-Germany presidency will build on it."
"This event is much more than just a meeting"
"Organized under the auspices of the 2023/24 Turkish Eureka Presidency, this event is more than just a meeting; it is a melting pot of creativity and a place where individuals from diverse backgrounds come together to exchange ideas, build partnerships and influence the future of innovation," said İsmail Doğan, Eureka Chair and Vice President of TÜBİTAK.
Recalling that Eureka, the world's largest public network for international cooperation in R&D and innovation, was established nearly 40 years ago by 18 European countries and the EU Commission, Doğan said, "Over the years, it has become a strong platform with 47 member countries, including non-European participants. Eureka's mission is to promote the development of advanced technologies, products and services that increase the competitiveness of industry and research organizations in world markets."
"Turkey has played an important role in the development of the network"
"As one of the founding members of Eureka, Turkey has played an important role in the development of the network. We are proud to be one of the most active participants contributing to and benefiting from this vibrant network." Mr. Doğan emphasized, "This is the third time we are assuming this chairmanship and it has been a valuable addition to our long-standing activities in Eureka. Under TÜBİTAK's coordination, we have hosted numerous important events and meetings, each aimed at fostering international industrial cooperation and advancing our technological frontiers. Our Chairmanship was marked by many important initiatives throughout the year, including high-level group meetings and board meetings that facilitated important discussions. These meetings were not just about administrative decisions, but about shaping the future of innovation through strategic discussions and collaborations."
"Only by joining forces in research and innovation will we find transformative solutions that enable green and digital transitions"
European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education, Training and Youth Liana Ivanova, who sent a video message to the summit, said: "I sincerely congratulate the Turkish government on a successful year as Eureka Chair."
"Only by joining forces in research and innovation will we find transformative solutions that enable green and digital transitions, not only for Turkey, but also for the Eureka network and the European Union," Ivanova said.
Following the opening sessions, a panel discussion moderated by Prof. Dr. Ahmet Yozgatlıgil, Deputy Minister of Industry and Technology, was held with the participation of Krassimir Yakimov, Deputy Minister of Innovation and Growth of Bulgaria; Andrei Alexandru, Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digitalization of Romania; Anna Panagopoulou, Director of 'ERA & Innovation' of the European Commission; and Radka Wildová, Director General of Higher Education, Science and Technology of the Czech Republic.
Prof. Dr. Rana Sanyal, who received an award from the European Innovation Council, gave an inspiring speech on innovation, followed by simultaneous panels. Focusing on Green and Digital Transformation, the summit included various sessions such as thematic panels, presentations and country presentations. At the summit; environments were created where participants could make presentations and hold bilateral meetings in order to find partners for their project ideas. At the summit, where more than 2000 high-level participants from 47 Eureka member countries, leading companies in their fields, innovation leaders, industrial organizations and SMEs took part, stakeholders from many countries have the opportunity to create project partnerships and hold bilateral meetings.
The summit will continue tomorrow at the Halic Congress Center in Istanbul.
