Digital outcomes of EU-CELAC Summit

Several digital projects were unveiled under the Global Gateway Investment Agenda (GGIA), which received a commitment of over €45 billion from the EU.
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The EU-CELAC Summit in Brussels on 17-18 July 2023 brought European, Latin American, and Caribbean leaders to strengthen regional relations and renew the bi-regional partnership. The summit focused on enhanced cooperation in multilateral fora, global peace, trade, investment, economic recovery, green and digital transitions, sustainable development, climate change, and research and innovation.

The summit also featured EU-LAC Business Round Table, where President Ursula von der Leyen presented the EU-LAC Global Gateway Investment Agenda (GGIA) that touches upon several important digital projects.

On the occasion, Ursula von der Leyen said: ‘I am pleased to announce that Team Europe will invest over €45 billion in Latin America and the Caribbean until 2027 via our programme Global Gateway. We shaped a high-quality investment agenda together, to the benefit of both our regions.’

Outlined below are the notable digital projects that were unveiled or will be further supported as part of the Global Gateway Investment Agenda (GGIA):

Brazil:

  • Collaboration between the EU, Brazil, and the EU private sector to expand telecoms networks in the Amazon region.
  • Cooperation on the Digital transition agenda, including cybersecurity, e-governance, and regulatory framework.

Jamaica:

  • Deployment of 5G technology.
  • Focus on inclusive access to digital technologies in education and for MSMEs.

Guatemala:

  • Investment in connectivity infrastructure.
  • Aim to foster digital transformation through improved connectivity.

Costa Rica:

  • Deployment of 5G infrastructure to enhance connectivity.

Argentina:

  • Internet for All project with a focus on 5G technology.
  • Establishment of a Euro-Argentina academic alliance for scientific cooperation.
  • Framework development for AI.

Chile:

  • Establishment of a Regional Copernicus Centre in Santiago.

Regional cooperation through EU-LAC Digital Alliance:

  • Ongoing EU-LAC digital cooperation activities, such as extending the BELLA cable.
  • The EU will foster and invest in regional policy dialogue on cybersecurity, connectivity, e-governance, and data governance.

Previously, on 14 March 2023, the EU-LAC Digital Alliance was initiated as a regional digital partnership between the EU and LAC countries. It aims to create a political cooperation framework, fostering digital engagement and collaboration between the two continents. Its overarching goals are to diminish the digital divide and cultivate sustainable, equitable, inclusive, and harmonious digital societies.