Asia and the Pacific

The fifth LOSI webinar series organized by the Digital Government Branch (DGB) of the DPIDG / UN DESA will focus on the application of LOSI methodology in India. This 90 minute webinar will host researchers who conducted the study in 34 most populous cities across various states and union territories within India and share the assessment findings. The webinar will also provide an opportunity for city officials to gain insights into and engage in discussions about the forthcoming UN E-Government Survey 2024, which is slated to launch in the fall of this year.

The Committee of Experts on Public Administration (CEPA) adopted 11 principles of effective governance at its seventeenth session. The principles, endorsed by the Economic and Social Council in its resolution 2018/12. Highlight the need for pragmatic and ongoing improvements in national and local governance capabilities to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The principles are designed to ensure effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions for sustainable development at all levels.

Frontier technologies hold the potential to accelerate SDGs for Asia-Pacific countries with innovative policies, yet pose risks like the widening digital divides and regulatory challenges. Recently, countries are adopting policy experimentation and regulatory sandboxes, creating controlled spaces for governments and relevant stakeholders to trial digital innovations beyond existing regulatory frameworks.