In the 21st century, digital technologies are profoundly changing societies, daily lives and ways of working. The European Union has embarked on a path to embrace the green and digital twin transition. We strive to shape digital economies that put people at their heart, protect citizens’ fundamental rights and provide equal chances to everyone.
To this end, the EU launches the Digital for Development (D4D) Hub, inaugurating a new era for the global digital cooperation. EU Member States such as Germany, France, Belgium, Estonia and Luxembourg are at the forefront of promoting new international partnerships on digital transformation as Team Europe. They identified a clear need for aligning their digital initiatives for increased impact. The D4D Hub is the key tool to have a Team Europe in action with unprecedented levels of coordination, advancing multi-stakeholder dialogue to leverage expertise and resources and share best practices.
The digital future will link people and businesses across the globe even closer. In an interconnected world, the EU starts its digital cooperation with Africa. As the D4D Hub’s first operational regional component, the “AU-EU D4D Hub” advances new digital partnerships and investments for a fair and inclusive African digital economy.
Introduction by Sasha Rubel, Programme Specialist, Digital Innovation and Transformation, UNESCO
CP Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany
Jüri Ratas, Prime Minister of Estonia
Xavier Bettel, Prime Minister of Luxembourg
Alexander De Croo, Prime Minister of Belgium
Introductory remarks by Sasha Rubel, Programme Specialist, Digital Innovation and Transformation, UNESCO
Jutta Urpilainen, EU Commissioner
Thierry Breton, EU Commissioner
Amani Abou Zeid, AU Commissioner
Roberto Viola, EC Director General for Communication, Networks, Content and Technology
Lacina Koné, CEO Smart Africa
Marc Vancoppenolle, VP Nokia
Alioune Ndiaye, CEO Orange Middle East and Africa
Stephan-Eloise Gras, CEO Digital Africa
Freda Yawson, Director for Research i4policy
Maria Flachsbarth, BMZ Parliamentary State Secretary
Koen Doens, EC Director General International Partnerships
To this date, eleven EU Member (Germany, Belgium, France, Estonia, Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, the Netherlands, Lithuania, and Finland) have signed a Letter of Intent.