Switzerland at Quantum Korea 2024

Switzerland’s quantum ecosystem and national strategy were presented at the international conference.

August 30, 2024 | Seoul

The Swiss quantum ecosystem was highlighted at Quantum Korea 2024, an international conference organized by the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT along with the Quantum Korea 2024 Organizing Committee. Switzerland was represented by Alessandra Apicella, Head of the Science & Technology Office Seoul, part of the global Swissnex network. The second edition of the conference took place from June 25 to June 27, 2024, in the context of “The Year of Quantum Leap in Korea.”

On June 25, 2024, a special session featured presentations from several countries. Apicella presented the Swiss approach to quantum, highlighting its commitment to bottom-up innovation and cooperative governance, and the role played by the Swiss Quantum Commission. Alongside Switzerland, representatives from South Korea, the United States, the United Kingdom, Denmark, and the Netherlands discussed key objectives in their national strategies, underscoring a global commitment to advancing quantum science and technology. Significant investments, public-private collaborations, and workforce development were central themes across all participating countries.

South Korea and Switzerland exemplify two distinct yet complementary approaches. Korea’s rapid investment expansion and strategic international cooperation aim to establish the country as a leading force in quantum technology. Switzerland’s focus on cooperative governance, curiosity-driven innovation, and decentralized funding underscores its commitment to maintaining leadership across the quantum value chain.

During the conference, Switzerland announced a joint call for proposals between the Swiss National Science Foundation and the Korean National Research Foundation, scheduled for early 2025. This initiative will fund up to 10 joint projects focused on quantum science and ethics, reflecting the Joint Statement of Research Cooperation signed in May 2023 The agreement was signed during Swiss-Korean Innovation Week, which marked the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, and included participation from key figures such as Tae Seog Oh, 1st Vice-Minister of Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT, and Guy Parmelin, Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research.