On June 20-21, 2024, the first Informal Meeting of EU and African Cyber and Digital Ambassadors took place at the Egmont Palace in Brussels. This historic event, organized during the Belgian Presidency of the EU in collaboration with the European External Action Service and the European Commission, with support from the Digital for Development Hub (D4D), marked a significant step towards enhancing digital cooperation between the two continents.
Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs Hadja Lahbib inaugurated the event, which saw participation from all EU Member States, numerous African nations, and officials from the EEAS and the European Commission. The meetings were enriched by guest speakers from both Africa and Europe, as well as partners from academia.
“The importance of digitalization for social and economic development cannot be overstated. This meeting represents a critical step in our shared journey towards greater digital connectivity and security,” said Minister Lahbib in her opening remarks.
Digital and cyber issues have become central to national and regional agendas, driven by the increasing recognition of their impact on societal and economic development. The rapid advancement of technologies, including generative AI, has highlighted the urgent need for robust cyber, digital, and tech diplomacy. Both European and African nations face similar challenges and opportunities in cyberspace, necessitating a collaborative diplomatic platform.
This inaugural EU-Africa Dialogue on Cyber and Digital Diplomacy aimed to deepen cooperation, build on shared strategic visions, and explore new collaboration avenues to address the digital age’s complexities. The discussions were held under the “Chatham House” rule to encourage open and candid exchanges, focusing on concrete policy examples and the latest analysis from both regions.
Key topics covered during the two-day event included UN processes such as the Open-Ended Working Group on the security of information and communications technologies (OEWG) and the Ad Hoc Committee on Cybercrime (AHC), the Global Digital Compact and Artificial Intelligence, secure connectivity, and cyber and digital capacity building.
“The challenges we face in cyberspace are global, and so must be our solutions. This dialogue is a crucial step towards achieving a secure and inclusive digital future,” emphasized an EU representative.
Editor: Gabriel Ani
