The Netherlands faces major decisions. On October 29th, we will all go to the polls and determine our future. In this letter dated July 21, 2025, on the progress of the ten action agendas the Knowledge and Innovation Agenda (KIA) for Key Enabling Technologies, describe the need for continued investment in key enabling technologies and innovation, and the key action points needed to achieve the ambition of the National Technology Strategy (NTS) towards 2035.
What's at stake?
The National Technology Strategy outlines an ambitious vision for the future by 2035: the Netherlands and Europe must remain international leaders in key technologies that not only open up new markets but also strengthen our autonomy and contribute to solving societal challenges such as climate, health, and (digital) security.
Within the KIA Key Enabling Technologies innovation ecosystems, hundreds of companies, knowledge institutions, and government bodies are currently collaborating on ten action agendas with concrete innovation programs that shape the ambitions of the NTS. These action agendas address innovations that will shape our future in the coming decades – from quantum and AI to biotechnology, photonics, and semiconductors. The action agendas will be completed by the end of 2025 and presented nationally in early 2026. Implementation will then begin, in collaboration with the business community, knowledge institutions, and government.
Four challenges for politics
Conversations with all stakeholders involved in the action agendas have revealed four major challenges that explicitly require political choices:
- Funding: current resources are fragmented and insufficient for our shared ambitions.
- Organization: strong, cohesive innovation ecosystems are crucial.
- Role of the government: as a regulator and guide, but also as a launch customer for new applications.
- Labor market: without sufficient technical talent, growth will remain limited.
Action agendas and coherence with other initiatives
The action agendas align with existing initiatives, such as National Growth Fund programs, European projects, and regional strengthening plans from the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs). This creates a broad front with which the Netherlands can compete internationally.
Why this is urgent now
With elections approaching, it is essential that political parties determine their course:
- Is sufficient investment being made in technology that safeguards our earning capacity and safety?
- Will the government play a more active role in market creation and scaling up?
- And are we investing sufficiently in attracting and training technical talent?
The answers to these questions will determine whether the Netherlands remains a technological leader in 2035 – or whether it falls behind. These are crucial considerations in the run-up to October 29th.
Click here for the full letter to the Ministry of Economic Affairs:
