London launch for ‘D5’ alliance of digital nations

The two-day summit will be hosted by the Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude,

A new G8-style alliance of nations attempting to strengthen the digital economy will be launched in London this week, with a two-day summit held in the capital.

Delegates from the so-called “D5” will hold talks in London tomorrow and Wednesday to discuss issues including the impact of technology on economic growth, improving internet connectivity and teaching young people to code.

The five nations attending the inaugural summit are the UK, South Korea, Estonia, Israel and New Zealand, although there are plans to extend the alliance. Government representatives from the US will also attend as non-member observers.

The two-day summit will be hosted by the Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude, while the Culture, Communications and Creative Industries minister, Ed Vaizey, will also be representing the UK, as will the Government’s chief technology officer, Liam Maxwell.

The Government is hoping that the D5 alliance will strengthen public and private sector links between the member countries in areas such as technology and the digital economy.