Digital cooperation Archives | Page 3 of 224

MoneyGram and Kraken connect crypto and cash globally

Kraken has entered a strategic partnership with MoneyGram to enable crypto-to-cash withdrawals in more than 100 countries. The integration links digital asset infrastructure with MoneyGram’s global network, allowing users to convert crypto into hundreds of fiat currencies through physical and digital payout channels.

The service is intended to address one of the main barriers to crypto adoption by improving access to reliable off-ramps. Users will be able to transfer funds to their accounts and receive near-instant cash payouts through MoneyGram’s retail network and regulated payment infrastructure.

Both companies highlighted the importance of interoperability between traditional finance and digital assets in driving practical adoption.

Kraken stressed the value of connecting liquidity and compliance systems with established payment rails, while MoneyGram presented its global distribution network as a bridge between digital value and everyday financial use.

The rollout will begin across the United States, Europe, Latin America, Africa, and parts of Asia-Pacific, with plans to expand further into local bank deposits and additional payment services as the partnership develops.

Why does it matter?

The partnership addresses one of the main friction points in crypto adoption: converting digital assets into usable cash at scale. By linking crypto infrastructure with a global payout network, it strengthens the practical use of digital assets beyond trading and speculation.

More broadly, it reflects a gradual convergence between traditional financial rails and crypto-native systems, with interoperability becoming increasingly important to how value moves across borders.

It may also support financial inclusion by expanding access to cash-out services in regions where banking infrastructure remains limited or uneven.

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UNESCO supports Western Balkans regulators on EU digital rules implementation

UNESCO organised a study visit for media regulators from the Western Balkans under an EU-funded project on journalism as a public good. The initiative aimed to support preparation for European rules affecting the information ecosystem.

Participants from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia examined implementation of the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). The visit included exchanges with institutions in France and the Netherlands on regulatory approaches.

The Netherlands presented a model based on a risk-based regulatory culture, with separate roles for a Digital Services Coordinator and a media authority. France presented a more integrated structure within a central media regulator, supported by specialised bodies and legislation.

Meetings involved stakeholders, including the House of Representatives of the Netherlands, TikTok, Reporters Without Borders, and UNESCO. Discussions covered platform engagement, regulatory cooperation, and institutional practice.

Participants identified institutional cooperation, technical expertise, and engagement with platforms as key elements of effective implementation. Discussions with Mariya Gabriel also addressed public-interest journalism, platform governance, and regional cooperation to tackle digital risks while safeguarding freedom of expression.

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Canada and partners welcome EU as strategic partner in telecom coalition

The Government of Canada and its international partners have announced that the European Union has joined the Global Coalition on Telecommunications as its first strategic partner, reinforcing cooperation on secure, resilient, and trusted next-generation telecom networks.

The coalition, established in 2023, brings together governments, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Australia, to promote secure supply chains, interoperable standards, and telecommunications innovation. More recent expansion has also brought in Finland and Sweden, widening the coalition’s international reach and its work on future telecom technologies, including 6G.

The EU’s inclusion reflects a shared interest in closer policy coordination, technical standards development, and telecom innovation. As a strategic partner, the EU is expected to contribute to discussions, support coalition workstreams, and collaborate on initiatives aligned with the group’s broader objectives. Strategic partnerships are designed to allow flexible cooperation while leaving governance control with the coalition’s core members.

Canadian officials described the step as a significant milestone in efforts to strengthen secure and trusted telecommunications networks through joint policy, research, and innovation. In practical terms, the move points to a broader effort among like-minded partners to shape the future of telecom infrastructure through coordinated international action rather than fragmented national approaches. This final sentence is an inference grounded in the coalition’s stated purpose and the new strategic partner model.

Why does it matter?

The significance of the move lies in the way telecom policy is increasingly being treated as a strategic coordination issue rather than just a domestic infrastructure question. By bringing the EU into the coalition as its first strategic partner, the group is widening its capacity to shape standards, supply chain resilience, and future network technologies across a broader transatlantic and Indo-Pacific policy space. That matters because the contest over telecom systems is no longer only about connectivity, but also about security, industrial policy, and influence over the technologies that will underpin future digital economies.

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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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