Tallinn Digital Summit aims at reducing dependencies on autocracies

The confrontation between democracies and autocracies is gathering momentum against the backdrop of the crises of recent years. An era has begun in which relations between states are increasingly based on trust and shared values, rather than on the pursuit of maximum economic gain. While democracies strive to build an efficiently and intelligently connected free world, autocracies tend to abuse technology and infrastructure for their own ends.

“Russia’s war in Ukraine, which is accompanied by the energy and hybrid war, has clearly shown that we need to rethink existing global political and economic alliances. This is also the matter of our security,” Prime Minister Kallas stated prior to the summit. “We need trusted connectivity, both in the physical and digital world. This means clear rules and cooperation with partners, with whom we share common values and interests. I am glad, that Estonia has many of those good partners. Within Tallinn Digital Summit we will have a chance to set goals,” Prime Minister added.

Tallinn Digital Summit is a platform for like-minded partners to leverage and coordinate their joint efforts. The basis for this positive, value-driven cooperation is the trusted connectivity that Estonia introduced at last year’s Summit. Trusted connectivity is a framework for partners who share the same values and interests for shaping their political and economic relations. Based on values and principles such as democracy, sustainability, high technical and social standards, security and credible partnerships, we offer a counterweight to autocracies and their harmful investments in both developed and developing countries.

Tallinn Digital Summit will explore the role of trusted connectivity and trusted partnerships across topics such as global stability, energy, economic, and cyber security, digital policy, international standards, artificial intelligence, clouds and satellites, digital public goods, and Web 3.0, as well as their role in the reconstruction of a free and democratic Ukraine.

The opening speech will be given by the Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, keynote speech will be held by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission,  Édouard Ngirente, Prime Minister of Rwanda and Eric Schmidt, co-founder of Schmidt Futures and former CEO of Google. The summit will be attended by ministers from 15 countries and guests from more than 30 countries.

This year’s Tallinn Digital Summit is accompanied by an virtual EXPO,  which started on September 26th and will run until October 31st. Tallinn Digital Summit EXPO is a unique opportunity for organisations and companies to present their latest products, services and solutions to solve global challenges related to the priorities of the European Union’s Global Gateway initiative in the following five sectors: digital, climate and energy, transport, health, education & research. More information can be found here.

The schedule of Tallinn Digital Summit can be found here. There is also opportunity to follow event online.