Regional Conversation Series on Building Back Better: Accelerating Digital Connectivity and Leveraging Innovation

Asia and the Pacific is a key driver of a technological revolution that is profoundly transforming the way we live, work and relate to one another. At the same time, the region is also one of the most digitally divided, with less than 14 per cent of the population connected to affordable and reliable high-speed Internet. Around 52 per cent of the region’s population remains offline. As the COVID-19 new normal has seen our reliance on connectivity grow exponentially, the digital divide threatens to become the new face of inequality – exacerbating not only income inequality, but also inequality of opportunity.

This Regional Conversation will discuss pathways to digital inclusion and innovation drawing from the perspectives of a wide range of stakeholders, focusing on the following questions:
 

• How can we protect the planet through innovative technology applications?
• What is the near future cluster of technology innovation that will help countries diversify their economy and achieve sustainable development? 
• What is necessary to ensure that digitally driven growth is inclusive, and what is the role of international technology platforms?
• How could public private partnerships through e-commerce be further strengthened for enhanced societal well-being?
• What investments and initiatives are needed for the deployment of next generation infrastructure networks and the transformation of societies into digital societies? What is the role of international cooperation in bringing universal, safe, affordable and reliable access to the Internet by 2030, as called for by the UN Secretary-General?

File added date: March 2021

Organized by: ESCAP

URL: https://unescap.org/events/2020-regional-conversation-1