EU ministers have endorsed new conclusions on digital competitiveness, calling for stronger skills, wider technology adoption and simpler rules for businesses. While prioritising support for SMEs and start-ups, governments stressed that regulatory simplification must not weaken data protection, online safety or fundamental rights.

The United Nations has launched a new Digital Cooperation Portal, a public platform designed to map global digital initiatives, support coordination across sectors, and strengthen implementation of the Global Digital Compact. The portal is now live and open to governments, civil society, UN entities, researchers and businesses.

A new study from the African Digital Rights Network and the Institute of Development Studies finds that biometric digital-ID systems are preventing millions in Africa from accessing basic services, highlighting systemic exclusion, weak legal safeguards and growing mistrust in governments’ handling of sensitive data.