With a focus on collaboration between sectors, government and industry, this afternoon we emphasised the essential role that innovative technologies and integrated solutions play in enabling the transition from fossil fuels to sustainable and future-proof mobility.

Aftermovie

Moderator Rens de Jong started the afternoon by emphasizing that the complexity of the current challenges in the aviation, automotive, maritime and logistics sectors requires joint efforts between companies, knowledge institutions and governments. He acknowledged that without this cooperation, the Netherlands would not have the competitiveness and innovation capacity to tackle the global issues of today and tomorrow.

Sustainable mobility of the future | Marc Hendrikse & Ronald Paul

Marc Hendrikse, figurehead Holland High Tech, top sector HighTech Systems and Materials, and Ronald Paul, figurehead Top Sector Logistics, started the afternoon with a duo interview and discussed the collaboration and challenges within the high-tech and logistics sector in the Netherlands. Marc and Ronald also shared their vision of the future regarding innovation and collaboration.

Marc Hendrikse:

I am particularly concerned that we are not moving fast enough. This transition requires enormous innovations, both to achieve the climate goals and to keep our industry competitive. I do see initiatives, but they are fragmented and we are not making enough progress. Ultimately, it is about integrated solutions, because separate initiatives that do not fit together do us a disservice. We need to work together and counteract this fragmentation.

Ronald Paul:

We talk a lot about innovation, but if you look at the numbers, we score just 2.3% of our GDP on R&D. So I say: practice what you preach, and that also applies to the business community. Actually take up that innovation, because that is our earning power for the long term. And then I come back to Mark's comment about networking, we have to do that together

European point of view | Harald Seidel, Michel Peters

Then Harald Seidel, CEO of DAF Trucks and chairman of the Commercial Vehicle Board of the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) and Michel Peters, CEO of the Netherlands Aerospace Centre NLR & co-chair of the Advisory Council for Aviation Research and Innovation in Europe (ACARE) took the floor.

They discussed the importance of sustainable mobility for Europe, the power of working together to make it more sustainable, the interests and changes that are needed, the challenges and the impact on the various sectors. Harald and Michel emphasised the need for a joint vision and strategy to maintain the Netherlands' position as an innovative leader in Europe. They also discussed the role of education and talent development in stimulating innovation and maintaining a high level of knowledge within the sector.

Harald Seidel:

What we need in Europe to really get things going is not more rules, but less rules and more coordination together. We need to talk about an Industry Deal, not just a Green Deal. Every decision needs to ask the question: what does this mean for European innovation and competitiveness?

Michel Peters:

European competitiveness is closely linked to green growth and innovation. The Netherlands and Europe need to have something that is unique and that no one else can offer, that is badly needed and that people are prepared to pay more for. This requires a constant focus on long-term innovations and policies, both at European and national level.

Panel discussion| Frits van Bruggen, René Berkvens, Lex Besselink & Bart Jan Koopman

In the panel discussion, Frits van Bruggen, general chairman of the RAI Association, René Berkvens, board member of Netherlands Maritime Technology and chairman of VNSI, Lex Besselink, chairman of the board of NAG and board member of Aviation in Transition and Bart Jan Koopman, general manager of evofenedex discussed the Dutch perspective.

During the panel discussion, the challenges and opportunities for the Netherlands in the field of innovation and technology were discussed. A plea was made for a better investment climate for start-ups and scale-ups, with access to capital and support for product development. In addition, the corridor approach was discussed as a strategic means to stimulate innovation and economic growth. This approach focuses on strengthening collaborations between regions and sectors, in which specific corridors such as those for high-tech and sustainability play an important role.

Frits van Bruggen:

Corridors connect the different innovation hubs in Europe, so that we can work together faster and more efficiently and find solutions to the major challenges. Let us now do that very concretely.

Bart Jan Koopman:

While the challenges are big, we have ample opportunities to improve collaboration between sectors. Focusing on supply side and regulation alone will not solve the challenges; we also need a strong demand side, such as affordable fuel infrastructure.

Lex Besselink:

Do you want your Dutch industry to be able to participate in that European market? Then you also have to make sure that the industry knows what they are getting into, knows what they are investing in. These are long-term investments, so policy should not fluctuate quickly.

René Berkvens:

I would like to sit at the table with all the players in the corridor that Frits talked about. Producers, suppliers, ports, fuel suppliers and regulations. Through the experiment of that corridor, where all these players work together, we can tackle those challenges and make the step towards sustainable shipping.

Young professional pitch | Mark Ommert

Mark Ommert, Project Manager ‘Strengthening Sustainable Aviation Ecosystem’ at NAG, gave his vision on sustainable mobility and the importance of the place of young professionals in policy. Mark Ommert spoke about the role of young people in promoting sustainable mobility and innovation within aviation and beyond. He also proposed to organize a cross-sectoral event in 2025 to bring young people together and learn from different sectors and their challenges.

Mark Ommert:

The younger generation will ultimately have to do it all, towards 2050, 2070. Involve young people, in day-to-day operations, but also when it comes to policy, strategy and technical content.

Point of view Dutch government | Tjerk Opmeer & Dylan Koenders

Tjerk Opmeer, Director-General of Business & Innovation, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Dylan Koenders, Director of Innovation & Strategy for Mobility, Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management spoke in an interview about the developments and plans of the Dutch government for sustainable mobility and the need for an integrated approach.

Tjerk Opmeer:

Let us focus on key technologies. Where do the opportunities for development and earning potential lie? And do that in a European context, with Draghi in mind. How do we ensure that Europe can take those steps together? This also applies to initiatives such as the green corridors. What does that mean for the investments that we need to make in the Netherlands, but also together with other countries, to further advance sustainability? This requires cooperation, not only with other countries, but also to see which technology is needed to achieve that progress.

Dylan Koenders:

As top sectors, we have sufficient knowledge at the table. Knowledge institutions, industry and government together. The mission-driven approach works incredibly well in my opinion. The Ministry of Economic Affairs rightly places a clear emphasis on key technologies. Let us continue on that course.

Conclusions | Marc Hendriske & Ronald Paul

Marc Hendrikse:

We can not ignore the sustainability of mobility. If we join forces and tackle concrete projects, we will make it a success, cooperation is essential.

Ronald Paul:

I believe in the power of integration between sectors and that we can make better use of that collaboration. What really struck me today is that we don't just talk, we also need to take concrete actions. The integrated charging network and the hydrogen corridor are examples of what we need to work on now.

Moderator Rens de Jong closed the afternoon with a quote from Henry Ford:

Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.

This event is organized by NAG (Netherlands Aerospace Group), Netherlands Maritime Technology (NMT) and RAI Automotive Industry NL, in collaboration with Holland High Tech and Topsector Logistiek.