The EU-LAC Digital Alliance meets in Estonia to gear up eGovernance
Where better than Estonia to learn how a government can deliver for the benefit of its citizens through a transparent, efficient and digital public administration? With a fully digitalised administration, 99% of Estonians having ID-Card with digital functionality and the world’s first and only nation-wide internet voting system, Estonia is considered among the most digitally advanced societies globally. Moreover, 99% of their companies are set up online and employees in the Information and Communication Technologies sector contribute to 10% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product.
Every year, this digital powerhouse hosts the e-Governance Conference in Tallinn, co-organised by the e-Governance Academy (eGA), Estonia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and ESTDEV. In the run-up to the 2025 edition, the EU-LAC Digital Alliance, together with eGA, hosted the 2nd edition of the EU-LAC High-Level Policy Dialogue on eGovernance on 26 & 27 May to boost bi-regional cooperation on the topic.
Contributing to the Global Gateway strategy, representatives from both regions met in Tallinn to take stock of the progress made after the first eGovernance policy dialogue held in San José, Costa Rica, one year ago. Since then, the EU-LAC Digital Alliance has moved ahead with concrete initiatives in cross-border data interoperability as well as electronic identification (eID) and electronic signatures (eSignatures).
“As co-chairs of this dialogue, we are very happy to meet again for the second dialogue on e-governance and to follow up on our commitments from last year, as well as the search for new opportunities and agreements that can materialise in benefits for our region.”
Diego Leiva, Director of e-Government, MICITT, Costa Rica
Interoperability & eSignatures
Information and communication technologies are increasingly being adopted by governments in the EU and LAC to create an e-governance model that improves the interactions with members of society and the private sector.
Interoperability is key to realise the benefits of digital transformation. The ability of computer systems to exchange information or interoperate relies on standardisation, data sharing protocols and processes.
One key process is the mutual recognition of e-signatures, meaning that e-signatures issued in one country are legally recognised and accepted in others. This facilitates seamless cross-border transactions and reduces legal uncertainty. The mutual recognition of e-signatures is of crucial importance to facilitate a number of processes, including trade, e-health, security and many other key activities. Admission to the European Union’s Trusted Third Countries Advanced Electronic Signatures List is a prior step to establishing formal Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) with partner countries.
Concerning Latin America and the Caribbean, the process with Brazil is the most advanced. Mutual recognition of e-signatures has been explicitly discussed during the last EU-Brazil Digital Dialogue in February 2025, with a working group being established to advance towards the mutual validation of advanced e-signatures as a first step. Uruguay has also expressed interest in launching a mutual recognition process with the EU. A possible extension of the process to Mercosur is also being considered.
The mutual recognition of e-signatures and interoperability between EU and LAC countries opens great opportunities for citizens and business on both sides of the Atlantic.
eHealth, eJustice, eFinance
The EU and its member states, like Estonia, can be a source of expertise and investment for LAC partners, which are transforming their public services into modern and efficient eAdministrations.
“One of the lessons the European Union can share with the world is that even small countries like Estonia can have an impact on their neighbours. Estonia is the third-smallest country of the Union but is leading digital transformation for the entire continent.”
Hannes Astok, Chairman, e-Governance Academy (eGA),Estonia
As part of the broader Public Sector Modernisation Programme in Barbados, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital is undergoing a landmark digital transformation with the support of a €4.36 million grant from the EU. The project will provide the hospital with a comprehensive Health Information System to improve the quality, efficiency, and accessibility of healthcare services through cutting-edge technology and institutional reforms. From patient digital registration and access to billing and human resources management, the digital system would allow healthcare staff to access real-time data, make faster and more informed decisions, and streamline administrative processes. eHealth processes can help saving lives.
In Trinidad & Tobago, the EU is working with the Judiciary and Ministry of Attorney General and Legal Affairs to apply eGovernance principles in the criminal justice system. The digital transition entails enabling virtual hearings, rollout of electronic filing systems, use of web forms, and the adoption of digital case management platforms such as CaseCenter for the submission and presentation of evidence. Embedding digital practices into law enables a justice system that is not only faster but also more responsive, accountable, and citizen-centric, key hallmarks of effective e-governance.
The project “E-governance and digitalisation in Public Administration and Financial Management in Guatemala” implemented by the eGA and the World Bank, as part of the Global Gateway Investment Agenda, is meant to improve efficiency, transparency and accountability of public spending in Guatemala. This will contribute to the fight against corruption and increase much-needed revenues for development policies, critical infrastructure, public investment and creating a predictable regulatory framework and business environment that attracts investment from Europe and beyond.
“Cooperation with other countries to share our knowledge and work together is part of our political tradition in Central America.”
David Osorio, Director of e-Government, Presidential Commission for Open and Electronic Government (GAE), Guatemala
The EU-LAC Digital Alliance moves forward
The discussions in Tallinn built on the existing roadmap for bi-regional cooperation on eGovernance and set concrete steps for a joint regional agenda ahead of the 2025 EU-CELAC Summit.
“This partnership between Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean is more relevant now than ever, not only for our digital transformation, but also for our security.”
Margus Tsahkna, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Estonia
As part of the Global Gateway Investment Agenda, participants of the EU-LAC Digital Alliance days in Colombia in November 2023 agreed that collaboration between both regions on digital matters is essential to enhance their strategic autonomy and economic growth.
Participating countries issued a Joint Declaration in the context of the EU-CELAC Summit in July 2023, where they committed to regular bi-regional dialogue and cooperation on digital matters for the benefit of their citizens.
Global Gateway
Global Gateway is the EU's positive offer to reduce the worldwide investment disparity and boost smart, clean and secure connections in digital, energy and transport sectors, and to strengthen health, education and research systems.
The Global Gateway strategy embodies a Team Europe approach that brings together the European Union, EU Member States and European development finance institutions. Together, we aim to mobilise up to €300 billion in public and private investments from 2021 to 2027 and create essential links rather than dependencies and close the global investment gap.
Background
The 2nd edition of the EU-LAC High-Level Policy Dialogue on eGovernance in Tallinn gathered 70 participants from 27 countries, including:
- 20 countries from LAC: Argentina, Bahamas,Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay.
- 1 Overseas Territories: Curacao
- 6 EU member states: Latvia, Luxembourg, Estonia, Poland, Romania and Finland
- 5 regional organisations: SICA, CTU, RedGealc, Comunidad Andina, CARICOM.
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