Digital Forum of Small States (Digital FOSS)

Ambassadors and senior government officials from the Digital Forum of Small States (FOSS) met on 30 May 2024 at the ATxSummit for a closed-door Government-to-Government dialogue on international cooperation on digital governance and digital inclusivity (“Dialogue”). During the Dialogue, participants emphasized the importance of digital technology for small states' development, stressing the need for a multi-stakeholder approach to address challenges such as cybersecurity threats and AI governance. They also highlighted the significance of digital inclusion and international cooperation to bridge the digital divide and support small states' advancement in the digital age. Minister for Communications and Information and Second Minister for Home Affairs Mrs Josephine Teo, who chaired the Dialogue, released the following Chair’s Summary:

“At the Digital FOSS Ministerial Dialogue on 30 May, we discussed the challenges and opportunities for small states in a rapidly evolving and increasingly sophisticated digital environment. There was broad consensus that digital technology was an important enabler to catalyse change and super-charge efforts towards achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and for small states, a multi-stakeholder approach was crucial in addressing common challenges such as cybersecurity threats, cross border data flows and the regulation of emerging technologies.”

On the governance of emerging technologies, the participants recognised that artificial intelligence was a powerful emerging technology that would benefit from a global, multi-stakeholder approach. In particular, it was important to develop fit-for-purpose regulations, standards and science-backed tools and techniques for AI governance. Collaboration across public, private, people and academic sectors, as well as between countries and regions, was crucial. The participants acknowledged the effort within Digital FOSS to work on an AI Governance Playbook tailored to small states, which would address the common challenges associated with the secure design, development evaluation and implementation of AI systems.

On addressing the digital divide, the participants noted that countries, and communities within countries, were at different levels of digital development. It was important to strengthen efforts to enable everyone to enjoy the fruits and benefits of digital technologies. A skills-focussed approach could help to equip people with the necessary capabilities to navigate digital technologies, to enrich their daily lives, and to stay safe online. Participants agreed that governments must take measures to foster digital inclusion, and ensure that no one is left behind in the digital age.

The participants agreed that this Dialogue was a useful opportunity to bring together Digital FOSS members and strengthen mutual understanding of the circumstances and challenges faced by small states. There was consensus that international cooperation was integral for Digital FOSS members to share ideas and to contribute towards the closing of the digital divide. In addition, we have to uphold multilateralism to enable small states to survive and thrive in this digital age. The participants agreed that these commonalities faced by small states should be addressed in the Global Digital Compact which is currently being negotiated at the United Nations.