On 3 July 2025, Slovenia was formally welcomed as the 25th full member of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) with a flag-raising ceremony at its Geneva headquarters. This historic moment marks not only a scientific milestone but also a strategic opportunity for Slovenia’s innovation ecosystem and high-tech industry.
A Longstanding Scientific Partner
Slovenian researchers have been active at CERN for over 50 years, contributing significantly to major experiments such as ATLAS. These collaborations helped confirm the existence of the Higgs boson in 2012 and continue to explore the fundamental structure of the universe.
In March 2025, Dr. Andrej Gorišek of the Jožef Stefan Institute was appointed chief coordinator of the ATLAS detector - one of the most complex scientific instruments ever built. His leadership underscores Slovenia’s growing influence in global science.
CERN Director-General Fabiola Gianotti welcomed Slovenia’s membership, noting that the country joins at a key moment in CERN’s evolution. She praised Slovenian scientists for their long-standing contributions and expressed enthusiasm for even closer cooperation.
A Platform for Business and Innovation
CERN membership grants Slovenia full access to its cutting-edge research infrastructure, including the Large Hadron Collider. More importantly, it opens the door for Slovenian companies to participate in technologically demanding projects, develop high-value solutions, and gain access to CERN’s procurement system.
Prime Minister Dr. Robert Golob emphasized this dual opportunity: “Our companies are delivering cutting-edge technologies. Our supercomputing infrastructure is prepared to serve international science. But more than any machine, our real asset is people - our young researchers, engineers, and teachers.”
Investing in the Future
Slovenia has nearly doubled its investment in science and research in recent years - from €354 million to €700 million annually. Slovenia’s full membership in CERN is more than symbolic - it is a strategic move that aligns science, education, and industry. It strengthens the country’s international standing, enhances its innovation capacity, and creates new opportunities for businesses and researchers alike.
