NVDB005_-_CH_4.001._The_Global_Gateway_Initiative_-_Vichny-3

Diplomatic Briefing — KAS Cambodia and CICP

72 — DP Vol. 05

The Global Gateway Initiative

The GGI and Its Digital Agenda at a Glance

While it is beyond the scope of this article to explore the initiative in its entirety, a brief outline must neces- sarily be put forward, particularly in relation to the current paper’s sphere of interest. At its core, the GGI is an ambitious EU master plan “for major investment in infrastructure development around the world” by allocating roughly 300 billion euros for such joint ventures abroad 4. The project, as hinted above, revolves around the idea that democratic ideals transcend national borders and can create the foundation for an even-handed and productive dialogue that in turn facil- itates lasting ties of cooperation. It is emphasized that establishing relations in this manner is more essential than ever as states struggle in the face of ever-evolving global challenges.

The digital domain is an integral part of this vision - the sector is consistently portrayed as the linchpin of security, education, administration and economic exchange in a modern state. Therefore, the authors of the GGI insist that the EU’s upcoming investments in the tech sphere will be vital for ensuring progress, prosperity and innovation far beyond the bloc’s borders. In pursuit of that goal, a commitment is made not only to bolster the conception and execution of digital projects, but also to firmly ground them in comprehensive norms oriented towards trans- parency and reciprocity. More concretely, the initiative is intended to increase connectivity and accessi- bility across the board by helping to expand existing networks and establish new ones on land, at sea and in space. Beyond material undertakings, the GGI also seeks to provide state-appropriate aid vis-à-vis the management of critical online assets, cyber security and the administration of digital markets. Furthermore, technological research in this domain which has been used by the EU to enhance its transport grids, learning facilities and healthcare systems will also be shared and furthered on foreign soil. All in all, the initiative’s goal is to be a provider of “digital economy packages” that will stimulate sustainable and inclusive devel- opment across a variety of essential sectors in third countries.

Cambodia’s Digital Realities and How the GGI Fits In

Attention will now be afforded to the specific facts on the ground in terms of the main issues underlying the digital status quo within the Kingdom and how

4 https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/default/files/joint_ communication_global_gateway.pdf

the initiative can be instrumental in addressing the situation. To that end, the discussion should move beyond the basic promise of increased material investment capital that the EU is offering and instead focus on nation-specific problems where non-financial support can also be granted. First and foremost, the administrative digital assets that Phnom Penh has been employing leave a lot to be desired in terms of reliability and security. Even though the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) has recently been attempting to establish a more secure dedicated platform for interdepartmental communication and data storage, the situation on the ground is far from satisfactory. In that sense, officials still often rely on informal and publicly accessible networks to establish channels of interaction and engage in informational exchange.

This can make even the most sensitive of the RGC’s operations vulnerable to data theft and cyber sabotage, a fact that has already been made evident on several occasions. In 2012, a massive cyberattack against the national authorities was conducted by two foreign hacking organizations, NullCrew and Anonymous. As a result, highly confidential correspondence and access details from multiple critical branches of the political and military establishment were made available online. Over the next several years, reports emerged that numerous email and social media accounts of key officials from across the Kingdom’s political spectrum (including the prime minister) were also taken over by hackers with malicious intent. Another notable incident occurred in the run-up to Cambodia’s general elections in 2018 as a result of subversive digital activities on the part of Chinese agents. Subsequent investigations revealed that groups acting outside of the territory of the People’s Republic of China conducted an extensive espionage campaign prior to the vote due to Beijing’s vested interests in Phnom Penh’s politics 5.

Such events and the vulnerabilities behind them are clearly factored into the GGI - Brussels promises to invest in both material and digital infrastructure devel- opment that puts the security of its partner states front and center. In that sense, emerging projects will set a new standard in terms of data storage, telecom- munications and subversion resilience that the RGC can take advantage of in its daily activities as EU-Cam- bodian partnerships unfold. This in turn will help to strengthen the nascent legal framework on digital affairs that Phnom Penh has been toiling to realize during the past decade 6.

5 https://cdri.org.kh/publication/cybergovernance-in-cambodia-a- risk-based-approach-to-cybersecurity

6 https://mef.gov.kh/download-counter?post=7116