On 9 December 2025, the Embassy of Latvia in Finland, in cooperation with the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) and the Finland–Latvia Business Association, hosted their annual traditional Christmas Networking Event, dedicated to the development of drone technologies and their growing role in both defence and the modern economy. The event aimed to highlight the latest trends in drone design, production, and practical application, as well as to encourage closer cooperation between Latvian and Finnish entrepreneurs in this rapidly expanding sector.

The seminar was opened by the Ambassador of Latvia to Finland, H.E. Dace Treija-Masī. Mr. Hannu Manninen then provided an overview of the activities of the Finland–Latvia Business Association. This was followed by a presentation from industry expert Mr. Jyri Kosola, who offered insights into global drone development trajectories and emphasised the importance of civilian and commercial applications beyond the military sphere. He noted that drones are becoming an integral part of modern services and infrastructure maintenance—from environmental monitoring and security to precision agriculture.

Practical industry experience and innovation were presented by Ms. Natalja Lernere from Edge Autonomy and Mr. Agris Ķipurs from the Latvian company Origin Robotics. They introduced the newest technological solutions in sensor integration, autonomous flight, and data analytics—developments that allow drones to serve as highly effective tools across various fields. Both representatives also highlighted the complementary strengths of the Latvian and Finnish technology environments, which form a strong basis for new joint projects, including potential cooperation in Arctic applications.

The discussions underscored that the potential of drone use reaches far beyond military needs. Drones are increasingly being integrated into agriculture for precise crop monitoring; forestry for resource assessment and wildfire risk analysis; border security to ensure wider and safer surveillance coverage; as well as disaster-response activities such as monitoring ice movement, water levels, and supporting search-and-rescue operations.

The event brought together entrepreneurs from both Finland and Latvia whose work is linked to high-technology development and its practical implementation. The seminar provided a platform for networking, discussing joint project ideas, and expanding cooperation opportunities between the two countries in the drone sector—an industry that continues its dynamic growth on a global scale.

Photos: Jānis Ķirpītis