ESTONIA – The Secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Ivan John Uy, engaged in a dialogue with Estonia’s Minister of Economic Affairs and Information Technology, Tiit Riisalo, during the Open Government Partnership Global Summit in Tallinn on September 6, 2023. The discussion highlighted the potential for enhanced digital cooperation between the two nations, aiming for economic growth and development.
Secretary Uy emphasized the Philippines’ proactive adoption of digital technology in recent years to support the continuous development of various industries, including its globally competitive Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector and its tech-savvy workforce.
“The Philippines is a young country with a growing population; our average age is around 24 years old. We have a large, vibrant, and highly tech-literate segment entering the workforce,” stated Secretary Uy. He also mentioned that the Philippine government is keen on collaborating with countries like Estonia to bolster the nation’s digital infrastructure.
Minister Riisalo recognized the opportunities for cooperation, particularly in digitalization and cybersecurity, resulting from recent and ongoing high-level bilateral engagements. Both officials agreed that both countries possess talent, expertise, and experience that can be mutually beneficial for the Philippines and Estonia.
Secretary Uy’s participation in the Open Government Partnership Global Summit and the Tallinn Digital Summit 2023 demonstrates the Philippines’ active interest and involvement in the global discourse on the intersection of open government and digital technology.
