Dr. Fabiola Gianotti is one of seven women, representing the political, economic, scientific and academic elite, who was entrusted with formulating the World Economic Forum’s main theme, topics for discussion and selecting discussion leaders.
The Geneva-based European Organization for Nuclear Research is the biggest and most advanced laboratory of physics research, famous for its many discoveries. The World Wide Web was invented at CERN. The Higgs boson, which is believed to be crucial in the formation of the universe, was also discovered here. It is a global hub of innovation shaping human progress. CERN has made its discoveries and innovations freely available to all scientific institutions, researchers, ordinary people.
The President and Dr. Fabiola Gianotti discussed collaborative work between Lithuania’s scientific sector and CERN. Lithuania is the first Baltic country to have become associate member of CERN this January. According to the President, it is a very high evaluation of Lithuanian science - which opens up new opportunities for Lithuania to participate in scientific research programmes as well as to take part in meetings of the CERN Council and its committees. The Lithuanian industry is now entitled to bid for CERN contracts.
Membership in CERN will also contribute to the development of innovative national economy. Lithuania has approved a five-year plan to promote innovation. At the initiative of the President, a business incubation center of CERN will be established in Vilnius to advance high technologies and biomedicine. It will be the tenth CERN business incubator operating throughout its member states.
CERN membership is directly linked with membership in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), also known as an influential club of world economies. Lithuanian expects to complete accession negotiations and become member of the OECD this year. Only developed countries with strong economies are accepted as OECD members. As regards CERN membership, it speaks of significant progress in science, technology and innovation.
Lithuania's relationship with CERN began 15 years ago. It submitted an application for associate membership in 2016. CERN now has 23 member states.
