Estonia, Quebec sign memorandum of understanding on digital cooperation

TALLINN - Estonian Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa Pakosta and Quebec's Deputy Minister for Cyber and Digital Affairs Stéphane Le Bouyonnec signed a memorandum of understanding at the Tallinn Digital Summit on Wednesday to cooperate on the development of secure data exchange, digital identity, and artificial intelligence.

While signing the memorandum, Pakosta and Le Bouyonnec highlighted the immense potential for cooperation and information exchange in the digital and cyber fields between the two nations. Digitalization has opened numerous new opportunities for countries, and mutual cooperation in this field serves as a tool for achieving social and economic progress.

"Cooperation allows us to keep pace with innovation in this rapidly evolving field, enabling experts to exchange experiences and learn from each other. Quebec is deeply interested in Estonia's experience with digital identity and secure data exchange through the X-Tee data exchange layer. At the same time, Quebec is renowned as a hub for artificial intelligence development, making it worthwhile for Estonia to closely follow developments there. It is crucial, however, to respect human rights and freedoms in the digitalization process," Pakosta noted.

Estonia and Quebec share several similar priorities in digital development. These include the digitalization of public services, such as electronic identity; trust services, such as creating, verifying, and preserving e-signatures; data management, promoting open governance, enhancing cybersecurity, developing artificial intelligence and information systems, and fostering and retaining digital talent in the public sector.

When signing the memorandum of understanding, Pakosta and Le Bouyonnec adhered to principles of openness, transparency, and legality. The minister and deputy minister aim to foster cooperation in digitalization based on equality and mutual benefit. They also seek to promote contacts and communication between organizations and institutions in Estonia and Quebec to ensure continuity and sustainable collaboration. Estonia's Information System Authority (RIA) will manage further cooperation with Quebec on specific initiatives.

Extensive groundwork was carried out by Estonian and Quebec officials to prepare for the goodwill declaration. Pakosta also made a visit to Canada at the end of October and early November, where she met with Quebec's Minister of Cybersecurity and Digital Transformation Éric Caire.