Brussels, October 26, 2023 – Estonian Prime Minister, Kaja Kallas has called for increased cooperation with likeminded partners.
The European Iron Lady made the call while delivering a compelling keynote speech at the Global Gateway Forum, held in Brussels on October 26, 2023, before the Digital Infrastructure panel discussion.
Addressing a diverse audience of guests and dignitaries, PM Kallas highlighted the significance of trusted connectivity in the modern era and the critical role it plays in shaping the future.
The Global Gateway Forum, organized by the European Commission, brings together experts and leaders from various fields to discuss and collaborate on global connectivity issues. PM Kallas began her speech by expressing her enthusiasm for the event, commending the European Commission for its efforts in hosting the forum, and reflecting on the recent Tallinn Digital Summit.
Kallas emphasized the transformation brought about by digital technology, the green transition, and escalating geopolitical tensions in the 21st century. She stressed the importance of uniting and engaging like-minded and trusted partners to address these challenges. Central to this endeavor is connecting countries through energy, data, transport, and other corridors, a core concept of the European Union’s vision, which the Global Gateway aims to extend worldwide.
PM Kallas cited Mark Leonard’s book, “The Age of Unpeace,” underlining the potential of connectivity to both harm and benefit societies. She highlighted the recent events in the Baltic Sea, illustrating the necessity of monitoring and protecting critical infrastructure, and emphasized the importance of diversification to mitigate dependencies.
Looking ahead, Kallas acknowledged the challenges that the next decade may bring from space and the need for resilient digital societies. She emphasized the importance of safe and transparent technology and diversification of satellite communication capabilities.
In her address, PM Kallas stressed the need to strengthen infrastructure resilience, including digital infrastructure, through efficient monitoring systems and swift response mechanisms, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation.
The Global Gateway initiative, Kallas declared, is an investment in trusted connectivity, with a focus on building a digital economy that caters to the needs of all partners. Digital technology, she noted, can enhance democratic governance, improve access to education and healthcare, and foster economic growth and green transitions.
PM Kallas shared Estonia’s remarkable journey towards becoming the world’s first digitally transformed state, highlighting the benefits of digital governance for transparency, efficiency, and citizen access. She called for a mindset that places innovation in the service of people and democratic governance.
Estonia’s participation in numerous Global Gateway projects in various regions, with a focus on open source, reusable, and human-centric solutions, was also highlighted. Kallas stressed the importance of providing people worldwide with access to government services and benefits.
The Prime Minister mentioned GovStack, an open-source initiative, and the significance of technological openness in improving digital government services.
Kallas underscored the paramount importance of cybersecurity in the digital age, sharing Estonia’s experiences with cybercrime and emphasizing the need for trust by design principles in strategies, operating models, products, and services.
The speech concluded with a call for closer cooperation between the public and private sectors to deliver the objectives of the Global Gateway. PM Kallas emphasized the role of SMEs in contributing to these initiatives and called for improved communication to engage them effectively.
In her closing remarks, Kallas emphasized the need to build a broad coalition of open countries around the world, working together as trusted partners to create a more connected and secure future.
