In today’s Morning Brief:

INESC Brussels Hub Winter Meeting 2021

We’re days away from the INESC Brussels Hub Winter Meeting 2021 in Coimbra! Our speaker list for our High-Level Conference: AI and Robotics – Synergy for the Future is complete and things are shaping up for two days of intense discussion with fascinating personalities from the R&I world.

There’s still time to sign up here!

Digital technologies to rescue food from landfills

Food waste has reached colossal proportions and the magnitude of the problem requires equally massive resources with the potential to supply sustainable answers. What better than the dynamic digital databases and advanced analytics we literally have access to “at our fingertips”.

The need to reduce food waste is becoming increasingly urgent. According to FAO, food waste contributes to 8% of total global greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, there is a way to solve the problem as researchers are using digital technology to put sustainability back on the menu.

This article goes in depth how researchers are planting the seed of technological innovation to increase the value of waste in the agri-food industry.

Make sure to read it here.

European Union event on Secure Supply Chains

The EU is inviting stakeholders to participate in a dedicated outreach event of the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC) Working Group on Secure Supply Chains. The event will take place on 13 December 2021.

This event offers experts from industry, academia and civil society the opportunity to give their views and discuss the priorities for the TTC Working Group on Secure Supply Chains with representatives of the European Commission.

This is an online event, taking place from 15h30 to 18h30 (Brussels Time) and registration is open here until 9 December 2021, 17h00.

Five Western Balkan partners join Horizon Europe R&I programme

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia signed today, alongside Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, their Association Agreements to the Horizon Europe programme. Albania is expected to follow with the association in the upcoming weeks. This marks an important milestone for closer research and innovation cooperation with the Western Balkans.

Researchers, innovators and research entities established in the region can now fully participate in the EU’s €95.5 billion programme on equal terms with entities from the EU Members States. This will allow them to develop projects, technologies and conduct research and activities that will contribute to tackling global challenges. Their participation will also further reinforce their capacities and support Western Balkans further integration into the European Research Area.

Read more here.

ESA launches new Galileo satellites to strengthen EU navigation service

The two satellites, which were launched by the European Space Agency (ESA) on Sunday from French Guiana, will strengthen the EU-supported global navigation service used by more than 2.3 billion devices worldwide. 

“This launch reinforces the current constellation and secures Europe’s strong position in the field of global navigation satellites and services,” said Thierry Breton, EU commissioner for the internal market. 

Five years after Galileo started up, there are now 28 satellites orbiting the globe to support navigation services for uses in mobile phones, mobility, synchronisation of energy grids, and distress location services.