The Enhanced Digital Collaboration Between the EU and Singapore
The European Union and Singapore are significantly advancing their digital partnership, as evidenced by the recent meeting of the Digital Partnership Council held in Brussels. This gathering focused on pressing issues across key technology sectors, including artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, semiconductor technology, and digital trade.
Leadership and Strategic Goals
Co-chaired by Henna Virkkunen, the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Tech Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy, and Josephine Teo, Singapore’s Minister for Digital Development and Information, the council has been instrumental in tracking the progress of initiatives since the partnership’s establishment in February 2023. It has continually adapted its focus in response to advancements in technology and market needs.
Artificial Intelligence and Digital Safety Focus
AI continues to be a focal point in discussions, with both regions stressing the importance of frameworks that ensure the responsible development and application of AI technologies. There is a strong commitment to future collaborations, particularly in language AI models, linking the EU’s Alliance for Language Technologies European Digital Infrastructure Consortium (ALT-EDIC) with Singapore’s Sea-Lion model to enhance multilingual capabilities.
Additionally, online safety, particularly for vulnerable groups such as minors, emerged as an urgent topic. The council members agreed to explore various tools, including age-verification systems and digital safety measures, aiming to build greater trust among online users.
Building Digital Trust and Identity
Strengthening digital trust is central to the EU-Singapore Digital Partnership. The council examined ways to develop interoperable trust services and verifiable credentials. These initiatives aim to enable secure, cross-border digital identities, facilitating smoother regulatory compliance and enhanced digital transactions across various sectors, benefiting both public services and private enterprises.
Cybersecurity remains an essential aspect of their agenda, with both parties highlighting the need to evaluate emerging cyber threats and enhance resilience through coordinated actions at both bilateral and multilateral levels. The emphasis on cybersecurity underscores its critical role in maintaining market confidence and safeguarding digital infrastructure.
Collaboration on Data and Semiconductor Technology
During the meeting, the council reviewed strategies for improving cross-border data flows. They discussed potential collaborations in shared data spaces and expressed mutual interest in research partnerships in semiconductors and quantum technology. The recognition of shared investments and scientific collaboration, particularly under frameworks like Horizon Research, aims to bolster innovation capabilities and ensure long-term competitiveness in technology.
The EU and Singapore reiterated their ambitions for digital trade, building upon the previously signed Digital Trade Agreement in May 2025. This agreement establishes binding regulations that enhance legal clarity, safeguard consumer interests, and remove unnecessary obstacles to digital commerce. Through this framework, the Digital Partnership Council seeks to promote economic security and stimulate innovation while upholding international digital standards.
A Framework for Ongoing Cooperation
Since its launch in 2023, the EU–Singapore Digital Partnership has set out to empower both businesses and citizens by promoting technological advancement. The partnership emphasizes minimizing the digital divide, encouraging trusted data exchanges, developing secure digital identities, and supporting excellence in research and skills development.
Through continuous alignment of strategies and joint projects, the European Union and Singapore serve as a model for international digital collaboration, ensuring both economies remain competitive and secure in an increasingly technology-driven world.
