European Commission Executive Vice-President for Digital Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen, is in Brazil on 11-12 June 2026 to sign a Digital Partnership between the European Union and Brazil, marking a significant step in bilateral digital cooperation. On 11 June, Virkkunen spoke at the Web Summit Rio on the EU's agenda for technological innovation and international digital cooperation, and met with business representatives. On 12 June, in Brasília, she will sign the Digital Partnership alongside Brazilian Minister of Management and Innovation in Public Services, Esther Dweck, followed by a joint press conference. The partnership aims to deepen cooperation on data governance, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure and connectivity, online platforms, and digital public goods and services. Virkkunen's agenda also includes a meeting with Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin, a roundtable on implementing the partnership with ministers and parliamentarians, and meetings at the Supreme Federal Court (STF).
No prior coverage of this visit exists in the available records. The Digital Partnership represents a new formal framework for EU-Brazil digital relations, building on ongoing dialogues but establishing a dedicated cooperation structure. The agreement covers areas where the EU has recently advanced regulation, such as the AI Act and data governance frameworks, and may influence Brazil's own digital policy direction. For EU technology companies, the partnership could open opportunities in Brazil's large digital market, while Brazilian authorities gain access to EU expertise and standards. Civil society groups may watch for provisions on data protection and platform accountability. The signing ceremony and press conference on 12 June will provide further details on specific commitments and timelines.