The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) have launched a global initiative focused on digital inclusion at the ATxSummit, which attracted over 4,000 guests from 85 countries in tech and government sectors.
This summit is part of Asia Tech x Singapore, a tech platform connecting over 25,000 global and industry decision-makers to promote a digitally inclusive future.
Over the next 100 days, the UNDP will conduct a global consultation to engage its network across 170 countries and territories, as well as national counterparts and practitioners, to gather collective insights on enhancing digital inclusion.
This initiative addresses critical aspects of digital access, including digital literacy, trust, and confidence, beyond mere physical and financial access to technology.
As technology and global trends evolve rapidly, it is essential that digital inclusion strategies adapt accordingly. Interested parties can join the 100-day global consultation here.
The global consultation will build upon the UNDP’s Digital Inclusion Playbook, launched at the ATxSummit.
This playbook offers a framework, policy recommendations, and global case studies to help countries ensure digital inclusion in their communities.
It includes initiatives like Singapore’s Digital Skills for Life (DSL) framework, part of the national Digital for Life (DfL) movement, which provides resources for acquiring digital skills available on IMDA’s DfL portal.
Insights from the global consultation will enhance the Digital Inclusion Playbook, expand its future outlook, foster a network of policymakers and practitioners, and shape potential collaborations and initiatives.
Robert Opp, Chief Digital Officer, UNDP said,
“Now more than ever, we need a global commitment to digital inclusion that unlocks the full potential of technology to accelerate and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This means ensuring people and human rights are placed at the centre of all aspects of digital transformation.
We are excited to launch the Digital Inclusion Playbook and the 100-day Global Consultation to share insights and provide an avenue for greater collaboration around digital inclusion.”
Doreen Tan, Assistant Chief Executive (Strategic Planning and Digital Readiness) of IMDA, said,
“We are excited that Singapore will be the starting point for the launch of this UNDP global consultation on digital inclusion. We are also heartened that our Digital Skills for Life (DSL) framework, in line with our national Digital for Life movement, has been featured in UNDP’s Digital Inclusion Playbook as an example of efforts to digitally upskill citizens.
As part of ATxSummit, IMDA is honoured to host a panel discussion among experts and practitioners from diverse continents and countries. There was a rich exchange of experience and learnings among these experts and practitioners from the private, people and public sectors including international organisations such as UNDP and the World Bank.”
