The below is attributable to Acting Spokesperson Pooja Jhunjhunwala:‎

On October 20 and 21, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Deputy Administrator Bonnie Glick traveled to Estonia, where she met with Estonian government officials and representatives of private-sector technology companies to discuss U.S.- Estonia relations, opportunities for increased development cooperation in third countries, countering malign Kremlin influence, and USAID's efforts to advance European and Eurasian countries along their Journeys to Self-Reliance. Deputy Administrator Glick also engaged with cybersecurity experts to discuss 5G and Estonia's national Cybersecurity Strategy.

At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on October 21, Deputy Administrator Glick and Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu signed a Statement of Intent to partner on supporting the establishment of trusted digital networks, including 5G, in emerging economies. The statement commits both USAID and the Government of Estonia to cooperate on efforts to support the growth of a free and open digital economy. USAID and Estonia seek to contribute to the development and implementation of ICT solutions that support an open, inclusive, and secure digital ecosystem, working to ensure that the technologies, networks and digital solutions used are resilient to cyber threats.

Deputy Administrator Glick and Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu also signed a Joint Declaration of Intent to establish a high level framework of bilateral cooperation in the area of fostering a human-centric digital transformation in partner countries. USAID and Estonia seek to contribute to the development and implementation of ICT solutions that support an open, inclusive, and secure digital ecosystem, working to ensure that the technologies, networks and digital solutions used are resilient to cyber threats.

USAID continues to be committed to the adoption of trusted and secure telecommunications infrastructure for emerging economies.