AGP Executive Report

EV & Energy Markets: Renault says EV demand in France and Germany jumped 50% since the Iran war began, as fuel-price pressure pushes buyers toward electric cars. Obesity Research: A University Medical Centre Ljubljana team reports tirzepatide may boost brown fat activity, not just reduce appetite, in a trial presented at ENDO 2026. Cybersecurity Training: Slovenia joined a large regional cyber drill, CACE 2026, with European partners and U.S. National Guard teams to strengthen defensive and offensive coordination. Medical Devices: A study on retrieved hip and knee implants examines how corrosion and wear evolve inside the body over time, using advanced microscopy and materials analysis. Slovenia Policy Shift: Slovenia’s new government removed several anti-Israeli measures introduced under the previous administration, including entry and arms-trade restrictions. Public Health Watch: Hong Kong health authorities say an H9N2 avian influenza case is low risk for a wider outbreak, while urging strict hygiene. Tech & Society: Britain announced a ban on social media for children under 16, joining a growing wave of child-access restrictions across countries. Local Culture: Ljubljana’s long-lost “Sower” statue has returned after a community-led reconstruction.

Regional Cybersecurity: Croatia hosted Combined Adriatic Cyber Endeavor (CACE) 2026 (June 1–11), bringing 100+ cyber professionals from seven European countries plus U.S. National Guard partners, including Slovenia, to train blue/white defensive teams and a red team in a multinational drill. Medical Materials Research: A new study in npj Materials Degradation analyzed 240+ retrieved hip and knee implants to explain how corrosion and wear evolve inside the body over time. Slovenia Tech & Policy: Slovenia’s new government under Janez Janša removed several anti-Israeli measures from the previous administration, including entry bans and lifted restrictions on imports from West Bank settlements and arms-trade limits—opening space for cooperation “in areas of common interest,” including innovation and digital. Digital Safety Regulation: Britain announced a ban on social media for children under 16, joining a growing wave of child-access restrictions across countries. EU Tech Governance: EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas says she’ll ask the Commission to develop options for an EU-wide ban on goods from illegal Israeli settlements. Tech in Daily Life: iOS 27 is set to expand keyboard support with more languages and smarter multilingual typing features.

Slovenia Hosts Aquaculture Tech Talks: The European Aquaculture Society will hold its 2026 conference in Ljubljana (28 Sep–1 Oct) with plenary sessions spanning climate-resilient farming, how aquaculture stories reach the public, and energy-efficient EU production pathways. Kids’ Social Media Crackdown Spreads: The UK plans to ban social media for children under 16, following Australia’s lead and joining wider European moves toward tighter age rules and safer platform design. Cyber Defense in the Region: Croatia hosted CACE 2026, a multinational cyber exercise that included Slovenia and U.S. National Guard partners, focusing on coordinated blue-team and red-team training. Zero-Carbon Tech Hub Opens in Zasavje: Slovenia’s National Institute of Chemistry opened a €32M centre in Kisovec to develop carbon-free technologies, building on battery research and Just Transition Fund support. Slovenia–India Tech Business Push: A Ljubljana roadshow explored new collaboration with India and set up momentum for a Slovenia–India Business Council tied to the EU–India trade framework. EU Tech Policy Meets Politics: Slovenia’s new government removed several anti-Israeli measures from the previous administration, including bans affecting entry, imports, and arms trade.

Slovenian Politics: Janez Janša’s new government has rolled back anti-Israeli measures from the previous administration, lifting entry bans on Netanyahu and two ministers, ending bans on imports from West Bank settlements, and removing an arms-trade restriction. EU Integration: The EU has opened the first accession talks cluster for Ukraine and Moldova, a process that typically takes many years. Cybersecurity: Croatia hosted CACE 2026, a major regional cyber defense exercise with more than 100 professionals from Slovenia and other European partners plus U.S. National Guard teams. Green Tech in Slovenia: A €32M carbon-free technologies centre opened in Kisovec, aiming to scale battery, hydrogen, and other carbon-free innovations in a former coal region, backed largely by the EU Just Transition Fund. AI & Computing Skills: The EU’s HPCTRAIN launched an Europe-wide call for HPC traineeships through 2028, targeting hands-on experience across HPC, AI, and quantum-adjacent work. Digital Life & Safety: Canada proposed rules to restrict social media access for kids under 16, following similar moves in Australia and other countries. Tech Consumer Update: iOS 27 adds expanded keyboard support for more languages and improved multilingual typing features. Science & Food Heritage: Ancient DNA work on 2,000-year-old grape seeds in Tuscany traces long-lived grape lineages and links Roman-era viticulture to modern wine traditions.

Slovenia–Israel Policy Shift: Slovenia’s new Janša government has lifted several anti-Israeli measures from the Golob era, including bans on Israeli officials’ entry, restrictions on imports from West Bank settlements, and an arms-trade ban—framing the move as restoring “normal political dialogue” and enabling cooperation in areas like innovation and digital. EU Accession Momentum: The EU opened the first accession negotiations cluster for Ukraine and Moldova, a reminder that even “official” talks can take years—while Slovenia’s own past timeline shows how long the process can run. Carbon-Free Tech Investment: A new €32M Centre for Development, Demonstration and Training for Carbon-Free Technologies opened in Kisovec, aiming to scale battery, hydrogen and other carbon-free solutions and marking a major Just Transition Fund-backed shift for a former coal region. Regional Cyber Exercise: Slovenia joined a large Adriatic+ and U.S. National Guard-linked cyber drill in Croatia, bringing together multiple European partners to train and coordinate across defensive and offensive roles. Tech for Everyday Use: iOS 27 is expanding multilingual keyboard support and smarter typing features, including automatic punctuation for multilingual users—an accessibility win with practical impact.

EU Accession Talks: The EU has opened the first accession negotiations cluster for Ukraine and Moldova, a process that usually drags on for years—raising fresh questions for the region’s tech, governance, and investment outlook. Slovenia Politics: Janez Janša’s return to power is now official after parliament approved his centre-right government, with observers in Brussels and the Western Balkans watching for policy shifts that could ripple beyond Slovenia. Regional Cybersecurity: Slovenia joined a major Adriatic+ CACE 2026 cyber exercise in Croatia, bringing together cyber teams from multiple European countries and U.S. National Guard partners. Green Tech in Slovenia: A new €32m zero-carbon technologies centre opened in Kisovec, aiming to scale battery, hydrogen, and carbon-free solutions and accelerate the Zasavje region’s post-coal transition. Youth Online Safety: Canada proposed a ban on social media for kids under 16, adding momentum to a growing wave of child-protection regulation across countries.

New Slovenian Government: Janez Janša’s centre-right coalition was approved by parliament, ending Robert Golob’s term and reviving EU and Western Balkans concerns about democratic norms and media freedom. Regional Cybersecurity: Croatia hosted CACE 2026, with over 100 cyber professionals (including Slovenia) and U.S. National Guard partners running a major multinational exercise. Zero-Carbon Tech in Zasavje: A €32M Centre for Carbon-Free Technologies opened in Kisovec, aiming to scale battery, hydrogen and other carbon-free solutions with EU Just Transition Fund support. Slovenia–India Business Links: A Ljubljana roadshow explored tech and business collaboration, setting up momentum for a Slovenia–India Business Council. Border Checks Eased: Slovenia will lift temporary police checks on borders with Croatia and Hungary from 12 June to reduce summer congestion while shifting to targeted inland patrols. HPC Skills Boost: HPCTRAIN launched a Europe-wide call for HPC traineeships (3–6 months), including HPC plus AI and quantum intersections. Ancient Wine DNA: DNA from 2,000–3,000-year-old Tuscan grape seeds traced long-lived clonal lines and helped explain origins of modern wine varieties.

Zero-Carbon Tech in Zasavje: Slovenia opened a €32M Centre for Development, Demonstration and Training for Carbon-Free Technologies in Kisovec, aiming to scale battery, hydrogen and other carbon-free solutions after the coal era. HPC Skills Push: HPCTRAIN launched a Europe-wide call for 3–6 month HPC traineeships through 2028, explicitly inviting projects that link HPC with AI and quantum computing. Quantum/Supercomputing Boost: EuroHPC inaugurated SOL (a new EuroHPC quantum computer) and LISA (an AI partition) in Bologna, strengthening Europe’s sovereign compute stack. AI in Healthcare IP: HeartSciences secured a European Patent Office grant for ECG-based assessment of diastolic function, expanding its AI-ECG portfolio. Border Checks Eased: Slovenia will end temporary police border checks with Croatia and Hungary from 12 June, shifting to more flexible inland checks to reduce summer congestion. Severe Weather Response: A 10 June storm hit northern Slovenia hard, damaging 150+ buildings, disrupting power, and forcing drone-based damage assessments. Ancient DNA, Modern Wine: Studies of 2,000–2,300-year-old grape seeds from Tuscany traced long-lived clonal lineages and linked Roman-era viticulture to today’s wine genetics. Slovenia–India Tech Links: Ljubljana hosted talks on new Slovenia–India business collaboration, including plans for a dedicated business council.

Carbon-Free Tech Scaling: Slovenia’s DUBT Centre in Kisovec (near Zagorje ob Savi) opened with a €32M EU-backed push to bridge lab research into industrial scale for advanced batteries, hydrogen, and other carbon-free technologies. AI Infrastructure Push: The World Economic Forum named 100 “Technology Pioneers,” with a clear tilt toward building the software and physical infrastructure needed for autonomous AI at scale, not just new AI apps. Pharma Digital Transformation: SCW.AI formed an Industry Advisory Board to guide its Digital Factory work for modernizing pharmaceutical manufacturing with AI, compliance, and data foundations. Quantum/Supercomputing Boost: EuroHPC inaugurated SOL (quantum) and LISA (AI partition) in Bologna, strengthening Europe’s sovereign HPC and quantum capabilities. Health Tech IP: HeartSciences secured an EPO patent for ECG-based assessment of diastolic function, expanding its AI-ECG portfolio. Local Tech & Logistics: Cosylab and Heron Neutron Medical signed an LOI to accelerate software and market rollout for accelerator-based BNCT cancer therapy. Energy Storage in the Region: Sungrow and Sunotec commissioned a 150MW/600MWh BESS in Bulgaria, supporting grid flexibility and renewables integration. Weather Impact in Slovenia: A severe 10 June storm hit northern Slovenia hardest, damaging 150+ buildings, knocking out power, and hurting crops. Border Policy for Summer Traffic: Slovenia removed stationary police border checks with Croatia and Hungary from 12 June to ease holiday gridlock while shifting to targeted inland checks. Slovenia in the AI Data Debate: “DATAS: The Data and the Sovereign” opened at Galerie Rudolfinum, with Projekt Atol as a Slovenian partner exploring who controls data in the age of AI.

Pharma Digital Transformation: SCW.AI formed an Industry Advisory Board to guide its Digital Factory push for Pharma 4.0—starting with building a data foundation for AI, compliance, and shop-floor modernization. Quantum & HPC in Europe: EuroHPC inaugurated SOL (quantum computer) and LISA (AI partition) in Bologna, strengthening Europe’s sovereign supercomputing and quantum stack. Medical AI Patents: HeartSciences secured an EPO patent for ECG-based assessment of diastolic function, expanding its AI-ECG IP portfolio. Energy Storage in CEE: Sungrow and Sunotec commissioned a 150 MW / 600 MWh BESS in Bulgaria, backed by EU Recovery funding, to boost grid flexibility for renewables. Slovenia Tech & Manufacturing: Cosylab and Heron Neutron Medical signed an LOI to accelerate global deployment of accelerator-based BNCT cancer therapy systems. Slovenian Industry Expansion: TOSLA opened its “Super Factory” TOSLA 3 and new HQ in Ajdovščina, tripling liquid nutraceutical output capacity. Health Research (Slovenia-linked): A multicenter study from Slovenia reports markers that distinguish peanut allergy severity and may predict later tolerance. Local Tech/Logistics: Pošta Slovenije and Ljubljana launched an autonomous last-mile delivery trial. Weather Impact: A severe storm hit northern Slovenia on 10 June, damaging 150+ buildings and crops and causing widespread outages.

Severe Weather: A supercell storm hit Slovenia on 10 June, tearing roofs off homes and damaging crops across the north, with Komenda among the hardest-hit areas and emergency crews using generators and drones to assess damage. Health & Biotech: Slovenian researchers report that peanut-allergy kids who had anaphylaxis show stronger skin test reactions, higher peanut-specific IgE, and greater basophil activation—markers that may also relate to later tolerance. Medical Tech: Cosylab and Heron Neutron Medical Corp. signed a Letter of Intent to speed global deployment of accelerator-based BNCT cancer therapy by building shared software and market pathways. Education & Industry: The University of Primorska will launch a new bachelor’s programme on innovations in the wood industry for sustainable development, with a digital transformation focus. AI & Society: A new AI-and-data exhibition opens at Rudolfinum, asking “who controls our data?” with Slovenian partner Projekt Atol among the collaborators. Logistics & Climate: Herbert Widmann GmbH begins building a climate-controlled fresh-produce logistics hub near Vienna to strengthen supply across Austria and Central and Eastern Europe. Manufacturing Scale-Up: TOSLA opened its “Super Factory” in Ajdovščina, tripling capacity for liquid nutraceutical co-development. Space: NASA defended the all-male Artemis 3 crew selection, amid public backlash. Connectivity: Starlink’s new 100Mbps tier is rolling out across much of Europe, raising questions about when Kenya will get the same upgrade.

Slovenia Tech & Health: Cosylab and Heron Neutron Medical Corp. signed a Letter of Intent to speed global deployment of accelerator-based BNCT cancer systems, with a focus on joint software integration and market access. Local Education & Industry: The University of Primorska will launch a new bachelor’s programme on Innovations in Wood Industry for Sustainable Development, combining sustainability, digital transformation and industry-linked practical training. Allergy Research: A Slovenia-led multicenter study reports that peanut-allergy children who had anaphylaxis show stronger skin test reactions, higher peanut-specific IgE and more basophil activation than those with milder skin-only reactions—markers that may also relate to later tolerance. AI & Society: A new AI-themed exhibition at Galerie Rudolfinum, DATAS: The Data and the Sovereign, tackles who controls personal data and what that means for freedom and privacy. Green Tech: INDTEGRATE, a Horizon Europe project, aims to integrate solid oxide electrolyser cell tech with green hydrogen for decarbonising hard-to-electrify, high-temperature European industries. Slovenian Business: RCF appointed LAV Projekt as its exclusive distributor for Slovenia, expanding local access to pro audio systems and support. Manufacturing Scale-Up: TOSLA opened its “Super Factory” TOSLA 3 and new Pavlina HQ in Ajdovščina, tripling liquid nutraceutical production capacity up to 100,000 bottles per day.

Local Industry Expansion: TOSLA opened its “Super Factory” TOSLA 3 and new Pavlina HQ in Ajdovščina on June 5, tripling liquid nutraceutical capacity to up to 100,000 bottles a day with automation and faster co-development for global brands. Robotics & Logistics: Pošta Slovenije and Ljubljana launched a pilot for assisted robotic last-mile delivery in the pedestrian zone, starting with a City Hall-to-Soline shop route and aiming to expand to retail, food, and event kiosk services. AI Readiness in CEE: The CEE AI Index 2026 maps AI readiness across Central and Eastern Europe, highlighting governance, talent, and deployment gaps; Estonia leads institutionally mature ecosystems, while Slovenia stands out in open-data governance and demand for AI professionals. Space Tech Link: Vast and ESA (for the Czech Republic) agreed to send Czech astronaut reserve member Aleš Svoboda to the ISS, pending review. Health & Food Tech: Revo Foods rolled out a mycelium-based 3D-structured “whole-cut” chicken fillet line in Austria, Germany, and Italy. Policy & Safety: Europe’s Entry/Exit System (EES) could cut Schengen tourism by up to one-third due to border delays, while more countries move toward bans or restrictions on children’s social media access.

Robotics & Logistics in Slovenia: Pošta Slovenije and Ljubljana launched a pilot for assisted robotic last‑mile delivery in the city’s pedestrian zone, starting with a route from City Hall to Soline, with plans to expand to retail, food, hygiene and event pick-up services. AI Readiness in CEE: The CEE AI Index 2026 (AI Chamber) maps AI readiness across 11 Central and Eastern European countries; Estonia leads on institutional maturity, while Slovenia stands out for specific strengths in the report’s governance/talent/deployment scoring. Electric Mobility in Construction: LiuGong’s 25‑ton 870HE electric wheel loader is being tested at a STRABAG quarry in Slovenia to prove zero‑emission performance and cut fuel costs as the sector weighs full electrification. EU Policy for the Clean Transition: The European Commission approved Lithuania’s €884m Social Climate Plan (to 2032), funding energy-efficiency upgrades, social housing, EVs and charging, plus advice hubs—an EU template that matters for regional implementation. Cybersecurity Spotlight: A feature notes a small Slovenian team handling about 6,000 cyber incidents per year, underscoring local capacity in the face of rising attacks.

Robotic Logistics in Ljubljana: Pošta Slovenije and the City of Ljubljana have started a real-world assisted robotic last-mile delivery pilot in the pedestrian zone, with early routes running from City Hall to Soline and a plan to expand to retail, food, hygiene and event pick-up services. Space for Slovenia’s Region: The European Space Agency, for the Czech Republic, has signed with Vast to send astronaut Aleš Svoboda to the ISS, pending review and approval—another sign of growing Central European space momentum. AI Readiness in CEE: The CEE AI Index 2026 maps AI readiness across 11 Central and Eastern European countries, highlighting governance, talent and deployment gaps; Slovenia is noted for standing out in open-data governance and demand for AI professionals. Electric Machines in Slovenian Industry: LiuGong’s 25-ton 870HE electric wheel loader is being tested at a STRABAG quarry in Slovenia to prove high-performance, lower-cost electrification for construction operations. Social Media Rules for Minors: A wave of countries is moving to restrict children’s social media access after Australia’s under-16 ban, with Europe and beyond preparing similar compliance steps. Mycoprotein Food Tech: Revo Foods is rolling out 3D-printed mycoprotein whole-cut chicken fillets in Austria, Germany and Italy, using fermentation plus structuring to target higher-fibre, minimally processed protein.

Robotic Logistics in Ljubljana: Pošta Slovenije and the City of Ljubljana started a pilot for assisted autonomous last-mile delivery in the pedestrian zone, with early routes from City Hall to Soline—aiming to complement existing delivery and expand to retail, food, event kiosks, and pick-up services. Space for the Region: ESA, for the Czech Republic, signed an agreement with Vast to send an astronaut to the ISS (subject to panel approval), with Aleš Svoboda set as mission pilot pending review. EU Digital Safety Push: A wave of countries is moving to restrict minors’ social media access after Australia’s under-16 ban, with Europe and beyond preparing similar age checks or limits. Food Tech in Europe: Revo Foods launched whole-cut chicken fillets made with 3D-printed mycoprotein tech in Austria, Germany, and Italy, positioning the products as minimally processed and nutrition-forward. Construction Electrification Test: STRABAG is trialing a 25-ton electric wheel loader from LiuGong at a Slovenian quarry to cut fuel costs and emissions as electrification plans advance. NATO Air Defense Concept: Lockheed Martin UK-led partners unveiled a NATO Ground-Based Air Defense plug-and-play concept, with Slovenia listed among participating nations. EU Policy Roadmap: The European Commission adopted the 2026 European Semester Spring Package, steering member states toward resilience, competitiveness, decarbonisation, housing fixes, and skills.