DigitalEU: around the world in 7 steps

Over the past couple of years, we have seen how living through the same experiences can bring us together – even if we remain physically far apart.

In many cases, it was technology and connectivity that bridged that space. And this isn’t the only way technology can help us. Technology has the potential to improve lives everywhere, and we’re always stronger when we work together to improve it.

The European Union works with countries around the world to support economic growth and a digital transformation that puts people at the centre. Recently, the Commission has increased the number of ways it can build bridges, dialogues and partnerships with like-minded countries around the world, who share the same commitment to democracy, freedom and human rights.

Ready for a world tour?  Let’s go!

Western Balkans: Lowering roaming charges, supporting better connectivity and closing the digital gap are top of the agenda with our next-door neighbours. The European Commission and the Western Balkans are working together to help the Western Balkans grow into a digital economy. The EU-Western Balkans Summit in autumn 2022 will be an important milestone for regional cooperation, so stay tuned.

Africa: At the European Union - African Union summit in February 2022, European and African leaders announced an Investment Package, with a strong digital component to support connectivity and affordable and better access to the digital and data economy in Africa. This will be supported by the African Union - European Union Digital for Development Hub, a strategic tool to advance multi-stakeholder dialogue, joint partnerships and investments in the African digital economy.

United States: If you’re a digital devotee, you must have heard about the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC). The TTC is a transatlantic forum for cooperation on trade and technology-related issues such as AI, microchips, and platform governance. Stemming from the common democratic values of both sides of the Atlantic, the TTC aims to translate them into tangible actions. Keep an eye on the @DigitalEU socials after the summer, as more details on the next TTC meeting will be made available.

India: On the same model as the EU-US TTC, an EU-India TTC has been announced in April and will be launched in the coming months, for the benefit of all people in the EU and India.

Latin America: Did you know that in 2021 a new digital data highway between Europe and Latin America linking Fortaleza in Brazil with Sines in Portugal was inaugurated? EllaLink is a 6,000 kilometre long submarine and terrestrial cable that marks the official closing of the connectivity gap between the two continents, reducing the current latency by 50% and supporting data-intensive research and education use.

Japan: In May this year, an exciting initiative was launched at the annual Japan-EU Summit. This new digital partnership will advance cooperation on digital issues such as high-performance computing, secure 5G and 6G, and data free flow with trust. We will also discuss how to improve international connectivity between Japan and the EU to the benefit of our researchers and businesses.

Korea and Singapore: Similarly, the EU and Singapore and South Korea are accelerating steps towards a digital partnership too. The aim is to maximise the benefits of the digital economy for our businesses and citizens. The EU promotes technology that works for the people – and if it works for Europeans, it should work for everyone else around the world, too.

When we join forces and act together, we set the standards for tomorrow's digital world and defend our common interests and values.

Our initiatives from Europe to the Americas and all the way across to Asia are testament of this vision.

As the Russian aggression rages on, the European Union’s international efforts in digital and technology were also directed to Ukraine and its citizens. Read about the ways the EU is helping Ukraine and Ukrainians to strengthen resilience for digital development here.

This tour represents some highlights of what we’re focusing on this year, but we are also working with Eastern Partnership and Mediterranean countries, international organisations such as the UN, G7 and G20 and much more.

We hope it didn’t give you whiplash though!