EU – Singapore cooperation on quantum tech R&I and standardisation

EU – Singapore cooperation on quantum tech R&I and standardisation 

22 April 2026, 10:00 – 12:00 CEST / 16:00 – 18:00 SGT
Online, Microsoft Teams

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Background

The European Union (EU) and Singapore have built a close economic and digital relationship upon years of active trade and shaping new frameworks for digital cooperation. In early 2023, both sides signed the EU-Singapore Digital Partnership  to agree on principles for collaboration in areas like Digital Trade, Data Flows, Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence (AI). This milestone was followed by the Digital Trade Agreement  in May 2025, which complements their Free Trade Agreement and brings clear rules for how businesses and consumers can securely trade and innovate online, from cross-border Data Flows to Digital Identities (eID) and consumer protection.

These steps have set the stage for a more open, secure and reliable digital environment for both the EU and Singapore, helping each side stay competitive and resilient in the digital world. The upcoming Digital Partnership Council on 1 December 2025 will bring both sides together to take stock and push the partnership forward. 

INSTAR, acting as a facilitator of cross-border dialogue and collaboration, proposes convening a workshop the week of 26 January that will bring together experts from both jurisdictions and build on this momentum. The workshop will address practical priorities in standards, promote bilateral exchange on shared challenges and seek real areas to grow joint initiatives, enabling continued collaboration in ICT standardisation.

For Singaporean stakeholders, meaningful involvement ensures influence over emerging international standards, alignment with EU digital markets and access to collaborative opportunities, reinforcing the competitiveness and leadership of Singapore in the global digital economy. 

For European stakeholders, it will reinforce the EU values-based approach to digital governance and standardisation, supporting the advancement of a global digital transformation that is open, human-centric, trustworthy and anchored in respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, in line with the EU International Digital strategy. 

Key discussion topics

The workshop will target area of quantum technologies and communications, as well as security in the post-quantum era. These topics have already been identified as of mutual interest and are expected to constitute the basis of future EU-Singapore collaboration.

Singapore is actively investing in quantum research and deployment, with a focus on secure quantum key distribution (QKD) trials and sector partnerships. The EU supports quantum technology innovation through the Quantum Flagship initiative,  with cross-border pilots and harmonisation of standards for secure QKD and quantum infrastructure.

Agenda

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