Digital cooperation Archives | Digital Watch Observatory

Croatia faces additional European Commission action over Digital Services Act enforcement

The European Commission has stepped up its enforcement action against Croatia by issuing an additional letter of formal notice over shortcomings in the national implementation of the Digital Services Act. The move reflects continued concern about whether Croatia’s enforcement structure is fully equipped to apply the regulation in practice.

Although Croatia adopted implementing legislation in 2025, the Commission considers that important obligations remain unmet. In particular, the national authority designated to oversee the regulation has not been given sufficient powers to enforce the Digital Services Act effectively.

Further concerns relate to the penalty regime. According to the Commission, Croatian law does not yet fully meet EU requirements on maximum penalties, proportionality, and deterrence. It also lacks certain provisions needed to sanction individuals for non-cooperation or for providing inaccurate information.

Croatia has been given two months to respond and address the issues raised. If the response is not satisfactory, the Commission may move to the next stage of the infringement process by issuing a reasoned opinion.

Why does it matter?

The case matters because the Digital Services Act depends not only on EU-level rules, but on whether member states give their national authorities the powers needed to enforce them. Croatia’s case shows that even after implementing legislation is adopted, gaps in enforcement design, penalties, and institutional authority can still weaken how the DSA works in practice across the EU.

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China pushes AI self-reliance while expanding global cooperation

Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang has reiterated China’s emphasis on AI self-reliance while also calling for deeper international cooperation, underscoring a dual approach to technology policy amid rising global competition. Speaking at the opening of the 9th Digital China Summit, he presented AI as an important part of China’s wider modernisation agenda.

Ding said China should strengthen self-reliance and independent innovation in AI, arguing that the sector must be able to withstand external pressure and attempts at suppression. He also emphasised application-driven development, calling for faster integration of AI into the real economy to support productivity and industrial transformation.

Alongside those domestic priorities, he called for a more collaborative innovation ecosystem, including closer coordination across the AI industry chain. Internationally, he advocated open and mutually beneficial cooperation, with particular emphasis on computing power, data, and talent.

Regulation also featured prominently in the speech. Ding said AI development must remain safe and controllable, with stronger oversight to ensure the technology serves human interests and remains under human control. Taken together, the message reflects China’s broader effort to balance technological sovereignty with continued international engagement.

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Digital Dubai rolls out AI workforce programme across public sector

Digital Dubai has launched the AI Workforce Transformation Programme to train 50,000 government employees in AI skills. The initiative is being delivered with the Dubai Government Human Resources Department and the Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence.

The programme aims to equip staff with practical knowledge to apply AI in public services and internal processes. It includes tailored training tracks based on job roles, from leadership to general employees.

Officials say the initiative will improve productivity, support innovation and enable more efficient service delivery. It also forms part of wider efforts to strengthen AI adoption across government operations.

The programme is designed to build long-term institutional capabilities and support a technology-driven government model. The initiative was launched by Digital Dubai in Dubai.

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Intellectual property cooperation launched under EU-Japan IP Action

The European Union Intellectual Property Office has launched the EU-Japan IP Action in Tokyo, marking the first dedicated intellectual property cooperation project between the European Union and Japan.

The initiative is intended to strengthen the protection and promotion of intellectual property rights through technical cooperation, policy dialogue, and industry engagement. The launch also highlighted how AI is reshaping innovation, competition, and IP enforcement in the digital environment.

EUIPO Executive Director João Negrão said: ‘Today’s event marks a milestone: the official launch of the EU–Japan IP Action. As the first dedicated cooperation project on intellectual property between our two regions, organised by the EUIPO and co-funded by the European Union, it carries real promise – for trade, for innovation, and for growth on both sides.’

The launch brought together officials from the EU and Japan, including representatives of the Japan Patent Office and Japan’s Intellectual Property Strategy Headquarters. Speakers described the initiative as a new phase of cooperation focused on streamlining IP processes and ensuring that legal frameworks keep pace with industrial and technological change.

A panel discussion examined the impact of AI and large language models on intellectual property, including questions of authorship, ownership of AI-generated inventions, and copyright enforcement. Industry representatives also discussed practical challenges related to AI governance and anti-piracy.

The event continued with a conference on generative AI, where participants from business, government, and academia examined how IP frameworks should respond to AI-driven change. Discussions included compensation for creators whose works are used in AI training, alongside legal, contractual, and technical mechanisms that could support that goal. Creative sectors, including manga, animation, music, and video games, were also part of the discussion.

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Saudi initiative attempts to link AI with sustainability goals

A new AI-enabled sustainability platform developed with support from the World Economic Forum aims to strengthen partnerships across sectors. The initiative is led by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Economy and Planning as part of its wider development agenda.

The platform, known as SUSTAIN, uses AI to match organisations with potential partners and opportunities. It is designed to connect government, businesses, academia, and civil society more efficiently and to help move sustainability projects from planning to implementation.

Developers say the system could accelerate collaboration and support the delivery of higher-impact sustainability projects. Official estimates suggest it could help unlock partnerships worth up to $20 billion in Saudi Arabia and significantly more across the wider region.

The initiative forms part of broader efforts to advance long-term sustainability goals through more coordinated action and practical uses of AI. The project is being developed in Saudi Arabia and presented as a tool to strengthen cross-sector cooperation rather than a stand-alone sustainability programme.

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The Philippines and South Korea launch a major cybersecurity centre project

The Department of Information and Communications Technology in the Philippines has formalised a major cybersecurity partnership with South Korea, securing funding and technical support to establish a National Cyber Security Centre to strengthen the country’s digital defences.

The agreement, supported by the Korea International Cooperation Agency, has been described by Philippine officials as the largest cybersecurity cooperation project of its kind in the country.

The initiative is intended to create a central hub for cyber threat monitoring, incident response, and coordinated defence, while also improving information security management across government systems. The programme is backed by a US$25.6 million grant over five years, reflecting the growing urgency of responding to increasingly sophisticated cyber threats affecting infrastructure and public services.

Beyond infrastructure, the project also aims to strengthen national capacity through training and workforce development, helping build a larger pool of cybersecurity professionals. Philippine authorities have stressed that cybersecurity now extends beyond technical systems and increasingly affects public trust, economic stability, and everyday digital activity.

The agreement with South Korea points to a broader effort to strengthen the Philippines’ resilience as a digital economy, with stronger institutional safeguards against evolving cyber risks and a longer-term commitment to secure digital transformation.

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EU Global Green Bond Initiative Fund unlocks €20 billion for sustainable infrastructure

The European Union and its financial partners have launched the Global Green Bond Initiative Fund to mobilise up to €20 billion for sustainable infrastructure in developing economies.

The initiative reflects a broader shift towards using private capital alongside public investment to accelerate climate and environmental goals.

Moreover, the fund will prioritise green bonds issued by governments, local authorities, and businesses, with a focus on first-time issuers and least developed countries. By supporting both euro and local-currency bonds, the initiative also aims to strengthen domestic capital markets while expanding the international role of the euro.

Backed by major European financial institutions and supported through the EU guarantees, the GGBI Fund is designed to reduce investment risk and attract private investors at scale.

Alongside financing, the initiative includes technical assistance and subsidy mechanisms intended to improve access to green finance and lower borrowing costs.

The programme forms part of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, linking economic development with sustainability goals while promoting high environmental standards and long-term resilience across partner regions.

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AI for Peace Summit highlights push for African-led innovation

A growing push for African-led AI development is shaping discussions on peace, governance, and security across the continent. At the AI for Peace Summit hosted at the Humanitarian Peace Support School in Nairobi, stakeholders called for AI systems better tailored to African governance, security, and resilience challenges.

Brigadier General John Nkoimo, General Officer Commanding Central Command of the Kenya Defence Forces, speaking on behalf of the Chief of the Defence Forces, highlighted AI’s potential to improve situational awareness and strengthen inter-agency coordination in complex security environments.

Participants also called for stronger investment in local innovation ecosystems to ensure AI tools reflect regional realities, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected settings. Discussions also focused on governance gaps, with participants warning that regulatory frameworks need to evolve quickly enough to keep pace with rapid technological deployment.

Security applications such as early warning systems, election monitoring, and other operational uses featured prominently, alongside concerns over human rights protection and institutional accountability. The summit’s broader message was that Africa’s AI future should be shaped locally through stronger governance and sustained investment in homegrown solutions.

Why does it matter?

AI is moving away from a one-size-fits-all model towards systems better adapted to African governance and security realities. Context-specific tools are more likely to be effective in fragile and conflict-affected environments because they can better reflect local risks, institutions, and operational conditions.

It also supports longer-term resilience by prioritising local innovation, reducing dependence on imported technology frameworks, and helping ensure that AI deployment aligns with regional policy goals, ethical standards, and institutional needs.

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World Health Organization collaboration with Kazakhstan marks new phase in global health and AI

Kazakhstan and the World Health Organisation have held high-level talks to expand cooperation in healthcare, climate-related health risks, and digital transformation. Discussions also covered the growing role of AI in strengthening healthcare systems and improving public health outcomes.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said cooperation with WHO had entered a new stage, reflecting wider efforts to modernise the country’s health system. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus welcomed Kazakhstan’s engagement and also recognised its broader reforms in governance, environmental protection, and regional water security.

A key outcome of the wider cooperation agenda was the WHO confirmation that Kazakhstan has reached Level 3 maturity in pharmaceutical regulation. The designation makes Kazakhstan the first country in Central Asia to achieve that level for the regulation of medicines and imported vaccines, marking an important step in the development of its health governance capacity.

The development matters because stronger regulatory recognition can improve confidence in the country’s medicines oversight system and support deeper international cooperation. The added focus on digital health and AI also points to a broader shift towards more modern, data-driven healthcare systems that could shape health policy development across the region.

Why does it matter?

The partnership signals Kazakhstan’s stronger integration into global health governance, particularly through recognised pharmaceutical regulatory standards. Achieving WHO Level 3 maturity strengthens trust in its drug safety system, which can improve access to medicines and international cooperation.

The added focus on digital health and AI also reflects a broader shift toward more modern, data-driven healthcare systems that could influence regional health policy development.

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UNESCO launches regional observatory on AI in education in Latin America and the Caribbean

UNESCO has launched a new regional platform on AI in education for Latin America and the Caribbean, aiming to help governments respond to both a deep learning crisis and the rapid spread of AI tools in schools and universities.

Called the Observatory on Artificial Intelligence in Education for Latin America and the Caribbean, the initiative was launched on 14 April in Santiago, Chile, during the 2026 Forum of the Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean on Sustainable Development.

UNESCO presents the Observatory as the first regional platform anchored in the UN system dedicated to AI in education in Latin America and the Caribbean. It is designed as a multistakeholder mechanism bringing together the region’s 33 ministries of education, along with universities, research centres, teachers, and strategic partners, to generate evidence, strengthen capacities, and support public decision-making on how AI should be used in education.

The initiative is being framed as a response to two pressures at once. UNESCO says the region faces a serious learning crisis, while AI tools are spreading rapidly through classrooms and education systems, with uneven guidance and limited institutional preparedness. In that context, the Observatory is meant to support more context-specific policy development, stronger teacher training, and classroom-tested innovation within ethical frameworks, rather than leaving AI adoption to fragmented local experimentation.

That gives the launch a significance beyond a standard education technology initiative. The core argument is not simply that AI should be introduced into schools, but that governments need a shared regional capacity to shape its use. UNESCO sums that up with a simple principle: AI should not govern education; education should govern AI.

The Observatory is being developed with a broad coalition of regional and international partners, including the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, Chile’s National Centre for Artificial Intelligence, the Regional Centre for Studies on the Development of the Information Society, ECLAC, the Ceibal Foundation, Fundación Santillana, Tecnológico de Monterrey, ProFuturo, the Universidad del Desarrollo in Chile, and the International Research Centre on Artificial Intelligence. Its advisory council also includes the OECD, the Organisation of Ibero-American States, experts from Harvard University, and the UN Independent International Scientific Panel on AI.

Why does it matter?

The story shows UNESCO moving from broad principles on ethical AI to a more concrete regional governance model. Rather than issuing another general call for responsible AI in education, it is trying to build an institutional platform that can connect evidence, policy, teacher capacity, and public oversight across Latin America and the Caribbean.

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