EASA is holding its High Level Conference on Drones this week in Amsterdam to discuss future European drone regulation and the future market there. The event is hosted by EASA and the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure concurrent with Amsterdam Drone Week. The conference is expected to attract 500 participants from 50 countries including representatives from leading companies including Airbus, Boeing, Bell, Lilium, and Volocopter.

The conference comes as the European Commission prepares to adopt new drone rules in the first half of 2019 designed to produce harmonized regulations across a single regional market. Topics expected to be addressed at the conference include smart mobility, U-space ATC services, safety, security, and environmental impact. The conference is expected to produce an “Amsterdam Declaration” that will be adopted by the European Commission, EASA, national authorities and industry participants that will identify priorities with regard to the best path to enable the drone industry to grow “in the best and safest way possible.”