UK and Israel sign ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ on digital governance
The UK and Israel have committed to a digital governance pact which will see the two countries cooperate and share data around open source and standards to help develop digital public services.
The ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ (MoU) will see the countries share information and experiences around open markets, open standards and open source.
They will also collaborate to ensure each country has the capability and ability to develop digital public services.
Minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude said Israel matches the UK in its approach to digital innovation.
“When I visited last year, I saw how Israel has a forward-thinking approach to digital innovation, just like the UK.
“This government’s long-term plan is all about creating modern, digital public services that are so good people prefer to use them. So, we will look to find new ways of working with Israel’s impressive array of digital businesses and draw on its culture of entrepreneurship. There’s a great deal we can learn from one another,” he said.
The UK government’s chief technology officer Liam Maxwell, who signed the agreement, said the use of open markets and open standards is a “key approach” the UK is taking to build a digital government “based on user needs”.
Meanwhile, Harel Locker, director-general of the Israeli Prime Minister’s office, said: “The British experience in the field of digital services is important and extensive, and this agreement will allow Israel to benefit from that experience. On our part, we offer the British and the D8 countries Israeli innovation and creativity, including in cyber security.”
The MoU will also include the countries exploring other ways to work together internationally.