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Europe in the World

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Fostering digital connectivity in and with the Indo-Pacific

19 Apr 2021 - 14:05
Source: EEAS
Opportunities for the European Union

This is a scoping paper for the European External Action Service (European Commission) in collaboration with the Institute of South Asian Studies and National University of Singapore.

As the European Union (EU) embarks on its own distinctive strategic outlook to the Indo-Pacific region, it should contribute to open, safe and inclusive digital connectivity and engage with the region’s thriving digital economies. While Indo-Pacific countries have called for greater maritime presence by European countries in their increasingly contested waters, European actors may have more to offer in the less-discussed but equally contested high-tech and digital domains. Recognizing the opportunities and disruptions that accompany the digital transition and green transformation globally, the EU and its member states need to increase their engagement with governments, commercial and civil-society stakeholders and networks in the Indo-Pacific on a broad array of digitalization issues.

Download paper. 

Look back at the webinar launching the report with Asad Beg (European External Action Service), George Cunningham (European External Action Service), Thibaut Kleiner (DG Connect), Maaike Okano-Heijmans (the Clingendael Institute), Karthik Nachiappan ( Institute for South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore​​​​​​​), Romana Vlahutin (Ambassador at large/EEAS Special Envoy for Connectivity). 

Watch our video explainer on the geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific region with Maaike Okano-Heijmans.