When the EU strategy “Shaping Europe’s Digital Future” was presented in February, the EU successfully anticipated what would turn out as one of its biggest upcoming challenges and paved the way towards becoming a global leader in digital cooperation. With the help of digital solutions, many societies and economies were able to carry on in times of lockdown – for instance through digital learning offerings, telework, online events and even online medical consultations. One thing is certain: The year 2020 has shown what we can achieve jointly by reaping the benefits of digital solutions. At the same time, it once again shed light on the persisting digital divide. As we became more aware of the effects of the virus to societies all over the globe, BMZ quickly responded with the #SmartDevelopmentHack. The global idea challenge was carried out in April and May by BMZ, the EU Commission and more than 30 partners. The result: Within one week, more than 1,000 innovative digital solutions were submitted in response to the pandemic. Among these submissions were chatbots fighting disinformation, platforms supporting women and their businesses and drones delivering medication to remote areas. At the same time, BMZ is taking a bold approach to promoting standards for the most important digital applications (so-called ICT Building Blocks). In October, BMZ has therefore teamed up with Estonia, Smart Africa, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Digital Impact Alliance (DIAL) and tech companies to make citizen services around the world more secure, citizen-oriented and affordable. In December, the year culminated in the high-level EU Launch of the BMZ D4D Flagship Initiatives with participation of Chancellor Merkel, as they were initiated under the German EU Council Presidency. This newsletter is dedicated to showcasing these new initiatives to promote value-based and human-centred digital innovation between Europe and Africa and around the globe. In addition, BMZ launched the Smart Africa Digital Academy together with Smart Africa to promote secure internet access in Africa through better regulation. All these remarkable milestones for digital cooperation once again remind us of the importance of partnerships to achieve our common goals. Let me use this opportunity to thank you for your continued support and interest in our work. We are looking forward to a new year and new partnerships. I wish you an insightful read and a festive season, Gunther Beger Director General Global Health; private sector; trade; rural development Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
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