On 13 December 2023, at the D4D Hub Board of Directors meeting in Brussels, Latvia joined the Digital for Development (D4D) Hub. Membership at the D4D Hub will enable Latvia to participate more intensively in the European Union’s digital cooperation projects worldwide. Latvia was represented at the meeting by Kristaps Brusbārdis, Director of the Economic Relations and Development Cooperation Policy Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“Latvia is already contributing to Team Europe efforts in digitalisation processes in developing countries, and we are glad to now be a part of the D4D Hub. By recognising the potential of digitalisation, Latvia seeks to support development cooperation initiatives aimed at the introduction of innovative and tested digital solutions in partner countries and their successful use,” Kristaps Brusbārdis said.
Latvia is the 15th EU Member State to join the initiative, which aims to contribute to bridging the digital divides and promote digital cooperation worldwide. Latvia’s membership at the D4D Hub is in line with Latvia’s development cooperation policy, paying particular attention to digitalisation as a driver of development.
Latvia contributes to sustainable development of partner countries and across the world as a strong advocate for democratic transition processes, modern and smart governance solutions, socio-economic change (notably regarding business development in the SMEs and agricultural sector in particular) and gender equality. Latvia will contribute to the D4D Hub with sharing expertise on digital transformation, including e-governance, private sector digitalisation, digital skills, especially for women and youth, as well as digital connectivity.
Background information
The D4D Hub is a strategic platform established by the European Union and its Member States with the aim of fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships and boosting investments to advance a human-centric digital transformation worldwide. The D4D Hub was set out in December 2020 by the President of the European Commission, European Heads of State and partners representing the private sector, academia, and civil society organisations.
The D4D Hub is a key instrument for the European Union and its Member States to achieve the ambitions under the Global Gateway strategy. The aims of the strategy are to boost smart, clean, and secure links in digital, energy and transport sectors and to strengthen health, education and research systems across the world, adjusting to the needs and strategic interests of various regions. The Global Gateway strategy was launched by the European Commission in December 2021.