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The governance of the internet has been a topic of debate since its creation. The internet is not governed by a centralised entity, but rather by a decentralised patchwork of stakeholders, including national governments, the private sector, the technical community and civil society. They work together in various internet governance bodies, such as the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). Several United Nations specialised agencies ...

The European electric vehicle (EV) industry is facing fierce competition from China. The question is what this will mean for the future of European EVs. This paper provides an overview of EU-China competition in this industry and presents four scenarios for the future of European EVs by 2030. Will European EVs survive, thrive or perish in the face of Chinese competition and other challenges?

The EU's ability to boost its competitiveness, become a climate-neutral economy by 2050, sustain the green and digital transition and achieve strategic autonomy depends heavily on access to critical raw materials (CRMs). Key technologies, across all industries, depend on CRMs' unique physical properties. The CRM Act (CRMA), aimed at making the EU's supply of CRMs more secure, resilient and sustainable, entered into force on 23 May 2024. The CRMA lists 34 CRMs, of which 17 are considered 'strategic ...

By the 2030s, quantum computers might compromise traditional cryptography, putting digital infrastructure at high risk in the European Union (EU) and around the world. Specifically, it is expected that quantum computers' unique capabilities will allow them to solve complex mathematical problems, such as breaking the traditional cryptographic systems used universally. The confidentiality, integrity and authenticity of sensitive data – including health, financial, security and defence information – ...

On 9 July 2024, the successful maiden flight of the new heavy-lift rocket Ariane 6 reinstated the EU's autonomous access to space. This came after several months of reliance on private United States launchers as a result of the temporary unavailability of an EU rocket. In recent years, the space sector has witnessed the conjunction of three trends. First, the space economy has grown globally, also because of competitive private actors. Second, as a consequence, space is now increasingly congested ...

Standards are voluntary guidelines, providing technical specifications for products, processes and services. They ensure a certain level of quality, enable interoperability, boost consumer confidence and remove trade barriers. Laws may prescribe standards as a preferred or mandatory requirement for compliance. In the digital sphere, their strategic importance has made them the focus of geopolitical competition.

This study examines how Cohesion Policy can support climate adaptation, regional resilience and sustainable businesses in the EU. It identifies regional and sectoral adaptation needs, maps relevant EU policy instruments and assesses current Cohesion Policy investment support. The study finds increased but still insufficient funding for adaptation, with gaps between support and needs. Recommendations include improving the integration and tracking of adaptation, developing tailored sectoral strategies ...

This study examines how Cohesion Policy can support climate adaptation, regional resilience and sustainable businesses in the EU. It identifies regional and sectoral adaptation needs, maps relevant EU policy instruments and assesses current Cohesion Policy investment support. The study finds increased but still insufficient funding for adaptation, with gaps between support and needs. Recommendations include improving the integration and tracking of adaptation, developing tailored sectoral strategies ...

The Third Plenum of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) took place in Beijing from 15 to 18 July 2024. Previous third plenums, especially the one in 1978, played central roles in the promotion of economic policies and reforms. Economic data published by China's Bureau of Statistics very shortly before the start of the Plenum paint a very sobering picture of the state of China's economy. While exports in June performed well, imports decreased in year-on-year terms, likely ...

This study identifies data gaps throughout the textile industry supply and value chains, from fibre to the end of product life stage and assesses current initiatives addressing them. It also exposes the following challenges: missing data, data accessibility, data management, reliability and relevance, mandatory or non-mandatory data collection, data sharing, and data cost issues. Drawing on a literature review, 17 stakeholder interviews and 2 expert workshops, the study gathers essential insights ...