A high-level roundtable on the development of modern security capabilities, emerging technologies, and the creation of a national defence innovation ecosystem was held in the Republic of Moldova’s capital.
The event was organized by the Euro-Atlantic Institute for Building Resilience in partnership with the Aspen Institute Romania and the Institute for Strategic Initiatives (IPIS). It brought together senior government officials, international experts, academics, and private sector representatives from Moldova, Romania, and Ukraine.
Among the participants were senior Moldovan officials including Dorin Recean, Special Envoy of the President for Resilience and Development and former Prime Minister; Eugeniu Osmochescu, Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization; Ghenadie Cojocaru, State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence; Alexandru Bejan, State Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs; and Serghei Diaconu, Director of the National Crisis Management Centre.
The discussions also featured contributions from Mircea Geoană, President of Aspen Institute Romania and former NATO Deputy Secretary General, as well as former Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov.
Participants analyzed the impact of technological transformation on security and defence, drawing lessons from the war in Ukraine and assessing Moldova’s opportunities to develop modern capabilities. Key priority areas identified included unmanned systems, counter-drone technologies, artificial intelligence, secure communications, digital infrastructure, and defence-related software solutions.
A broad consensus emerged that the Republic of Moldova had significant potential to build a sustainable innovation and defence industry ecosystem, provided that stronger cooperation was established between state institutions, academia, the private sector, and international partners.
Speakers also emphasized the need for regulatory reforms, reduced bureaucracy, faster procurement procedures, and improved access for private companies to the security and defence sector.
In his closing remarks, IEABR Executive Director Radu Burduja stated that the roundtable had marked the beginning of a long-term strategic process aimed at developing Moldova’s innovation and defence ecosystem through investment, international cooperation, and institutional modernization.