Coordination of the Quantum Memorandum passes from LVRTC to the Centre for Quantum Excellence and Competence of Latvia

Starting in 2027, the work of the Memorandum of Understanding “On the Development of Quantum Technologies in Latvia” will be led by the University of Latvia’s Centre for Quantum Excellence and Competence of Latvia (hereinafter – LKIKC). At this year’s closing meeting of the memorandum partners, SJSC “Latvia State radio and television center” (hereinafter – LVRTC), which has led the memorandum’s work since its signing in 2023, formally handed over the leadership of the memorandum to LKIKC. Over the course of three years, LVRTC has coordinated the work of 14 partners across 12 meetings and events, building a unified and coordinated exchange of information and experience among the experts and organisations involved in Latvia’s quantum field. The collaboration has also produced tangible solutions – the quantum-safe data transmission developed jointly by LVRTC and MikroTik is already in use in MikroTik devices by end users.

The handover of the memorandum’s coordination is a logical next step in the development of Latvia’s quantum sector. On 10 September this year, the University of Latvia opened LKIKC – a national-level center established to implement Latvia’s quantum strategy and unite the sector’s forces into a single national ecosystem. With the center taking over the memorandum’s leadership, the coordination of the quantum community is entrusted to an institution whose core mission is precisely the growth of this sector.

“We are honoured to have led an initiative so important to the development of technology and innovation for three years. The joint work of the memorandum partners has advanced not only coordinated and considered efforts in quantum technology development, but has also borne tangible fruits of cooperation. Now, with the Centre for Quantum Excellence and Competence of Latvia having begun its work, handing over the memorandum’s coordination to the centre is a natural step in its development that will allow the sector to grow even more purposefully,” emphasises the memorandum’s outgoing leader, LVRTC Board Member Evijs Taube. Evijs continues his work as Latvia’s representative in the Transatlantic Quantum Community. Taking over the leadership of the memorandum, LKIKC Director Dr. Leo Trukšāns stressed that LKIKC’s task is to continue what has been started and to connect science, industry and public administration even more closely. “It is time to grow from individual outstanding achievements into a comprehensive and productive ecosystem. Only through joint work can we strengthen our successes internationally as well.”

The Memorandum of Understanding “On the Development of Quantum Technologies in Latvia” was signed on 19 October 2023 to strengthen Latvia’s international competitiveness in the field of quantum technologies, develop local expertise and foster innovation. The partners cooperate to build a shared testing environment for technological solutions, support innovation, and strengthen cooperation between the academic sector and industry, thereby promoting the transfer of knowledge into Latvia’s economy. Joint partner meetings take place at least four times a year.

The memorandum was initially signed by 11 partners from public administration, the academic sector and industry. In 2024, it was joined by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Institute of Electronics and Computer Science, and in 2025 by the cybersecurity company “Possible Security”, becoming the 14th partner. Today, the memorandum brings together 14 partners, including leading Latvian technology companies, universities, research institutes and several ministries.

Over the course of the memorandum’s work, the partners have contributed to several significant projects. The national quantum communication network LatQN has been established, while the solution developed in cooperation between LVRTC and “Mikrotīkls”, which enables quantum-safe data transmission in “MikroTik” devices, has already reached end users. The partners are also working on the first cross-border quantum-secure communication infrastructure between Latvia and Lithuania (Lat-LitQN) and on the implementation of post-quantum cryptography solutions (QARC), and they are actively involved in European-level initiatives and international standardisation. Latvia holds a strong position in the quantum field – more than a fifth of the quantum algorithms developed worldwide are based on the discoveries of Latvian scientists.

This year’s closing meeting took place as the “Techritory” side event “Securing Tomorrow’s Digital Infrastructure: Quantum, Timing and Standards”, focusing on the role of digital security, precise timing and standards in modern infrastructure. In short presentations, experts examined Latvia’s role in quantum technology standardisation, including work within ETSI, the development of the quantum internet and open-access research infrastructure, and the importance of atomic clocks in resilient network timing – including in situations where satellite signals are disrupted. The event was opened and chaired by LKIKC Director Dr. Leo Trukšāns, and a speech was also given by Ieva Siliņa, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Science. Presentations were delivered by representatives of Latvian Standard (LVS), Riga Technical University, LVRTC and the international company “Qubit IL”, and the meeting concluded with networking among the experts.

The Memorandum of Understanding “On the Development of Quantum Technologies in Latvia” was signed on 19 October 2023. It brings together 14 partners: VAS “Latvijas Valsts radio un televīzijas centrs”, SIA “Elektroniskie sakari”, University of Latvia, Institute of Solid State Physics of the University of Latvia, Riga Technical University, SIA “Latvijas Mobilais Telefons”, SIA “TET”, SIA “Mikrotīkls”, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development, the Institute of Electronics and Computer Science, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and SIA “I” (brand “Possible Security”).