Last week, on 11 and 12 September, Marina Zanchi, Director of the European Commission’s Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA), visited Latvia to learn first-hand about digital development, health and sustainable growth projects implemented in Latvia and co-funded by the European Union.
The visit assessed Latvia’s involvement in the implementation of European Union (EU) policies and discussed potential ways to improve cooperation between Latvian institutions and HaDEA in the future. After the discussions, Marina Zanchi said, “In Latvia, we see a concrete example of how EU investments are being translated into sustainable solutions. The supported projects combine a people-focused approach with high-quality cooperation between academia, local authorities and businesses. We expect Latvia to continue to benefit from HaDEA funding opportunities in the areas of digital development, health, industry, space and food safety.”
Ambassador of Italy to Latvia, H. E. Alessandro Monti, said that the visit of the HaDEA Director to Riga shows the importance of European cooperation in innovation and digital development. “Latvia is a convincing example of how EU investment translates into real solutions. I would like to highlight in particular the cooperation between Riga and Turin in the 5G4LIVES project, which demonstrates how we can use technology together for public safety and sustainability,” notes A. Monti.
On the first day of the visit, M. Zanchi met with the Minister of Smart Administration and Regional Development Raimonds Čudars, Deputy Chairman of Riga City Council Māris Sprindžuks and representatives of the Ministry of Transport to discuss the development of digital and health innovations in Latvia and Riga, as well as to learn about the implementation of three major EU-funded projects: MENTOR (a project to improve mental health across Europe), Skills4DECA (a project to enhance vocational training in the energy and climate sector), and 5G4LIVES (a public safety and environmental project using 5G, drones, artificial intelligence and MEC (Mobile Edge Computing) technologies).
Raimonds Čudars, Minister for Smart Administration and Regional Development, noted, “Latvia’s digital development is not just about introducing new technologies – it is about adapting them to society’s needs and bringing real, measurable benefits to people’s everyday lives. This means that people will benefit from more accessible and better quality healthcare services, a safer digital environment, more convenient state and municipality e-services, and new opportunities to learn and develop skills. We see that close cooperation with the European institutions, Riga and the various municipalities is the path to sustainable and resilient national development. This visit shows that Latvia can and will be one of the leading countries in Europe in digital development.”
In turn, Māris Sprindžuks, Deputy Chairman of the Riga City Council emphasised, “We want Riga to be a place where technology helps solve problems that matter to people. This is well illustrated by our work in the 5G4LIVES project, where international cooperation makes an actual difference to public safety. The Riga Digital Agency is already recognised as a vital partner in various European organisations, which gives us the opportunity to participate in important new digitisation projects such as EDIC CITIVERSE. These projects will bring practical improvements to people’s everyday lives – safer public spaces, faster emergency response, better healthcare and more accessible education. These solutions contribute to a safer, healthier and more sustainable life for everyone,” notes Sprindžuks.
The contribution of Latvijas Mobilais Telefons (LMT) was particularly highlighted – the company demonstrated how it uses private 5G networks, mobile 5G infrastructure and drones in public safety and environmental surveillance situations, especially in the 5G4LIVES project. LMT representatives shared their experience, highlighting that the use of drones and MEC (Mobile Edge Computing) helps speed up rescue operations; that a private 5G network provides stable communication connectivity in a crisis, and that collaboration between scientists and companies allows testing these solutions in real-life situations.
Juris Binde, President of LMT, said, “Latvia is not just a place for technology testing. It is an internationally recognised centre for innovation development and deployment. The 5G4LIVES project is a great example of technology saving lives. LMT can assure that we are ready to further develop solutions that connect 5G infrastructure, drones and AI technologies to improve the efficiency of rescue operations.”
On the second day of the visit, HaDEA representatives visited the Knowledge Innovation Centre of Riga Technical University (RTU). Presentations and discussions demonstrated that Latvia had great potential to become a dynamic and diverse innovation hub.
The event was opened by Lauma Muižniece, Head of the Latvian Science Council, and Liene Briede, RTU Vice-Rector for Innovation, who emphasised the synergy of science and technology as the basis for sustainable development. “Latvia’s strength is its ability to bring together science, industry and government to create sustainable solutions for Europe’s competitiveness. Projects using artificial intelligence, 5G and digital twins show our potential to strengthen Latvia as an innovation hub, where future technologies are created and applied to promote the well-being of society,” explains Liene Briede, RTU Vice-Rector for Innovation.
RTU presented the projects of national importance implemented by the University and supported by the EU: the AIDA and TOGAS projects (use of artificial intelligence in cancer diagnostics and treatment); the 5G BALTICS project (solutions for safe and sustainable traffic in the Via Baltica transport corridor), as well as digital twins and virtual-reality training tools being developed for municipalities.
Further information: Tatjana Smirnova, Project Coordinator of the Department of External Communication of the Communication Department of the Riga City Council, phone: +371 26846472, e-mail: tsmirnova11@riga.lv
