Joint Statement of Canada and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on cooperation in Quantum Science and Technologies

1. Recognizing that Canada and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) are global leaders in scientific research and have strong and diversified science, technology, and innovation relations, with extensive collaborations between academia, industry, and government;
2. Understanding that quantum science and technologies – applying quantum mechanics to explore new ways to enable enhanced collection, transmission, processing, and visualisation of information – could lead to the development of transformative technologies such as novel computers, secure communication networks, and more precise and accurate sensing and timing capabilities;
3. Recognizing that, to support the growth of our quantum industries, fostering partnerships with key international allies and ensuring effective collaboration between academia, industry, and government, is critical;
4. Acknowledging that cooperation between like-minded partners, grounded in shared principles such as research integrity, are vital to combine the expertise, ingenuity, and creativity of our countries to expand our foundational understanding of quantum science and technologies, and to accelerate the realization of new quantum technologies for the benefit of society and in support of our shared interests;
5. Recognizing that ongoing efforts and investments in research, commercialization, security, intellectual property protection, and knowledge mobilization are key elements of success for our countries to benefit from quantum innovations and mitigate their associated risks;
6. We intend to pursue cooperation and harness the constant creation of new knowledge, understanding, and insights from our innovation ecosystems, to advance interconnected, vibrant, and secure quantum research and development (R&D) by:
   1. Embarking on good-faith cooperation underpinned by our shared values such as freedom of inquiry, merit-based competition, openness and transparency, accountability, reciprocity, promoting protection and enforcement of intellectual property, safe and inclusive research environments, rigour and integrity in research, research security, and reducing administrative burdens;
   2. Creating inclusive scientific research communities and tackling cross-cutting issues of common interest such as equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility, so that every person is able to fully participate and have an equal opportunity to succeed;
   3. Utilizing existing and future bilateral science and technology cooperation mechanisms and multilateral cooperation frameworks, and pursuing new implementation pathways, as appropriate, to promote jointly funded and cooperative quantum R&D efforts;
   4. Facilitating interactions between our governments, as well as with academia and the private sector to discuss and understand research trajectories in quantum technologies, which in turn will inform the identification of overlapping interests, gaps, and opportunities for future cooperation, including shared use-cases, areas where standards are needed, and responses to the as-yet-unknown implications and impacts;
   5. Enabling opportunities to build the global market and supply chain for quantum research and commercialisation, and supporting economic growth by engaging stakeholders including industry consortia, research, policy, and business security stakeholders, to grow a future quantum marketplace based on shared rules for engagement;
   6. Creating regular bilateral and multilateral opportunities to discuss matters of international importance and relevance to policy issues including regulatory, social, security, mutual access, supply chain resilience, and protection considerations of quantum technologies;
   7. Promoting multidisciplinary research and the cross-fertilization and sharing of, on voluntary and mutually agreed terms, research methodologies and data, including through collaboration in activities, such as workshops, seminars, conferences, and the exchange of people, particularly between respective quantum centers and hubs and universities participating in quantum R&D, to develop the next generation of scientists and engineers vital to expand the field;
   8. Building a talent pool and robust workforce for quantum science and technology, to grow the quantum ecosystem, so that quantum companies, academia and government have the people and skills needed to improve the quality of life for our people through public awareness-raising campaigns; science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education; apprenticeships; doctoral training and researcher exchanges; and
   9. Encouraging broad and inclusive participation in, and adoption of, quantum science and technologies for the benefit of our respective economies and society.
7. We intend to focus on cooperation in quantum science and technologies as outlined above to advance our shared vision of a vibrant and trusted quantum R&D ecosystem that promotes the mutual wellbeing, prosperity, and security of present and future generations.

Signed at                                 , in two (2) originals, on this                day of            2023, in the English and French languages, each version being equally valid.

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For the Government of Canada

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For the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland