Initiates Security Policy Program by ELNET
The European Leadership Network (ELNET) has unveiled its new ELNET Security & Defense Initiative (ESDI) in Berlin, aiming to strategically deepen security policy cooperation between Germany and Israel. The launch, which took place at the Hamburg Representation, marks a significant step towards enhancing bilateral cooperation against the backdrop of growing global security threats [1][4].
The ESDI initiative seeks to connect key stakeholders from politics, academia, industry, and the military from both nations. It places a special emphasis on collaborative work in several critical and emerging domains, including innovative technologies, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), space technology (SpaceTech), and biotechnology (BioTech) [1].
Notable figures at the ESDI launch included General Carsten Breuer, Inspector General of the German Armed Forces, who delivered a keynote speech, and Carsten Ovens, CEO of ELNET, who moderated a panel discussion. Thomas Röwekamp MP, Chairman of the Defense Committee in the German Bundestag, also gave a keynote speech. The panel discussion included Carlo Masala and General (ret.) Amikam Norkin, former Air Force Chief of the IDF [2][3].
The ESDI launch did not provide a timeline for its activities or expected outcomes. However, it represents a concerted effort to bolster security and defense policy exchange and cooperation at a time when both Germany and Israel face increasingly complex geopolitical and technological challenges [1][4].
To further strengthen its expertise and leadership connected to this initiative, ELNET has appointed Major General Wolf-Jürgen Stahl to its Advisory Board. With over 40 years of experience in the German Armed Forces, including NATO leadership roles, Major General Stahl has been instrumental in coordinating the Germany-Israel Strategic Forum alongside ELNET [1].
The ESDI initiative does not specify the exact nature of cooperation in the key areas of cyber, space tech, or AI. However, it aims to foster cooperation in these areas, as well as in other critical domains, to address the evolving security challenges facing both countries [1].
The kickoff reception for ESDI was attended by around 70 guests, underscoring the importance of the initiative to both nations. The launch did not announce any specific projects or initiatives underway, but it sets the stage for ongoing dialogue, innovation collaboration, and strategic alignment in security matters between Germany and Israel [1][4].
The ESDI complements existing ELNET programs like the annual Germany Israel Strategic Dialogue and the German Israeli Health Forum for Artificial Intelligence (GIHF-AI) [1]. As the ESDI progresses, it is expected to contribute significantly to the security policy and international insights of both countries.
- The European Leadership Network's ELNET Security & Defense Initiative (ESDI) aims to enhance security policy cooperation between Germany and Israel, focusing on innovation technologies, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), space technology (SpaceTech), biotechnology (BioTech), and other critical domains.
- The ESDI initiatives seeks to connect key stakeholders from politics, academia, industry, and the military from both nations, and has appointed Major General Wolf-Jürgen Stahl to its Advisory Board, who brings over 40 years of experience in the German Armed Forces and NATO leadership roles.
- The ESDI's goals extend to the areas of cybersecurity, space technology, and artificial intelligence, aiming to foster cooperation and address the evolving security challenges facing both countries, while complementing existing ELNET programs like the annual Germany Israel Strategic Dialogue and the German Israeli Health Forum for Artificial Intelligence (GIHF-AI).
- In an increasingly complex geopolitical and technological landscape, the ESDI launch signifies a concerted effort to bolster security and defense policy exchange and cooperation between Germany and Israel, with its activities and outcomes yet to be announced.
- The ESDI represents a significant step towards enhancing bilateral cooperation in the realms of science, industry, finance, policy-and-legislation, politics, general-news, cybersecurity, data-and-cloud-computing, technology, and space-and-astronomy, as both nations face growing global security threats.
