Salesforce’s recommendations for the D9+ Presidency
Lisbon Takes the Helm: Salesforce Policy Recommendations to Drive Europe’s Competitiveness Through the D9+
Isabel Barquin, Government Affairs & Public Policy
As Portugal assumes the Presidency of the D9+ group—a coalition of digitally forward EU Member States—it does so at a pivotal moment. With a renewed national digital strategy and fresh momentum, Portugal has a unique opportunity to shape Europe’s future competitiveness.
The D9+ has long championed innovation-first frameworks and an open, fair, and globally ambitious digital single market. Portugal’s presidency comes at a time when strong digital leadership is essential to navigate today’s geopolitical, technological, and economic transitions.
A Competitive EU Is Stronger with Trusted Partnerships
Competitiveness is now at the heart of the EU’s strategic agenda. Driving it forward requires more than policies—it demands partnerships. Realizing Europe’s ambition to lead in digital, green, and economic transformation depends on three key pillars:
- A resilient and future-ready digital infrastructure
- A skilled and empowered workforce
- A clear, innovation-enabling regulatory environment
From global tech leaders to SMEs—the backbone of Europe’s economy—every stakeholder has a role to play. Trusted global partnerships will be critical to sustaining Europe’s competitive edge and ensuring resilience in a fast-changing world.
At Salesforce, we’ve supported European customers for over 25 years through every major technology wave—from cloud to mobile, predictive to generative AI. Now, as agentic AI begins to take hold, we remain committed to helping European enterprises compete globally with trust and innovation at the core.
Streamlining and Harmonising Regulation to Strengthen the Single Market
A fully integrated European Single Market—with harmonized digital rules and reduced fragmentation—is key to unlocking growth and boosting resilience.
By aligning regulatory frameworks across Member States, the EU can foster cross-border investment, empower industrial ecosystems, and accelerate innovation. This consistency also positions Europe to lead on global standards for AI, clean tech, and digital infrastructure.
As the next EU legislative cycle takes shape, initiatives such as the AI Continent Action Plan, the Apply AI Strategy, and Portugal’s National AI Agenda offer timely opportunities to create clear, future-ready rules that enable emerging technologies to thrive.
Embedding Trust in All Innovation
Trust is the foundation of Europe’s digital competitiveness—and trust begins with security, transparency, and ethical design. As our colleague Aliki Foinikopoulou, Senior Director of Global Public Policy, recently shared: “Innovation must be balanced with accountability. AI is only as trustworthy as the governance that supports it.”
Salesforce is aligned with Europe’s commitment to strong privacy and data protection. Through our Office of Ethical and Humane Use, we embed principles of security, fairness, and sustainability into every layer of our AI development—ensuring that innovation advances responsibly, for everyone.
Fostering the Intersection of Technology and Sustainability
Portugal’s D9+ Presidency presents an exciting opportunity to link digital policy with Europe’s broader climate, equity, and social goals.
When developed and deployed responsibly, AI can be a powerful sustainability accelerator—optimizing energy use, improving supply chains, and reducing emissions across industries.
At Salesforce, we take that responsibility seriously. Our Sustainable AI Strategy focuses on efficient hardware use, model optimization, and investment in low-carbon data centers. We also developed the AI Energy Score, a first-of-its-kind tool to help organizations measure and reduce the environmental impact of their AI workloads.
A Defining Moment for Europe
Portugal’s D9+ Presidency comes at a defining moment. As the EU charts its path forward, strong collaboration between policymakers, businesses, and civil society will be essential to deliver a digital future that is trusted, competitive, and sustainable. We remain committed to helping build a Europe where innovation serves the public good—and where leadership in responsible AI defines the global standard for years to come.
Author: Isabel Barquin Gonzalez Sicilia
Role: Government Affairs & Public Policy