The ERA Forum - a group bringing together the Commission, Member States, countries associated to Horizon Europe and other stakeholders - is ready to start its work in February. In the first half of this year, the group will focus on the implementation of the first ERA Policy Agenda 2022-24, which includes 20 concrete actions ranging from protecting academic freedom to Hydrogen. Having approved a new governance structure and a Pact for Research and Innovation last year, now we are moving forward to create a European Research Area fit for the future.