SG Puna shared regional insights at ESCAP's 80th Commission Session in Bangkok this week. The CS80 ends on April 26, and will hear from Asia and Pacific ministers, ambassadors and other heads of delegation on its "Leveraging digital innovation for sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific” theme.
Subregional perspectives on “Leveraging digital innovation for sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific”
Remarks from Pacific Islands Forum SG Henry Puna at ESCAP CS80
Wednesday 24th April 2024, ESCAP Hall, UNCC - Bangkok
· Your Excellencies
· Honourable Ministers
· Ladies and Gentlemen
· Kia Orana and a very good morning to you all.
· It is an honour to address this distinguished gathering at the 80th Session of the Commission to share a few words on the journey of our Blue Pacific region towards sustainable development and the vital role of digital innovation in shaping our region’s future.
· Our 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent underscores the priority given to digital innovation by our Pacific leaders, particularly within the thematic pillar of Technology and Connectivity. This pillar is foundational, aimed at harnessing technology to improve public services, enhance disaster risk management, and foster economic growth through digital trade and entrepreneurship.
· Pacific ICT Ministers reaffirmed this importance at their meeting last year with the adoption of the Lagatoi Declaration on Digital Transformation of the Pacific that reiterated our commitment to further our endeavors toward a well-connected, inclusive, and resilient digital Pacific.
· Our partnerships, including with ESCAP have been pivotal in driving digital initiatives that enhance connectivity and technological capabilities across the Pacific, aligning with our 2050 Strategy's commitment to fully harness digital technologies.
· These collaborations are not only supporting the advancement of our connectivity, they are also boosting digital skills, playing a much needed role in our ongoing efforts to achieve technological advancement and integration.
· A key product of the engagement with ESCAP has been the establishment of a Pacific Internet exchange point and the digital skills hub at the University of the South Pacific--two initiatives that serve as examples of how collaborative efforts can enhance our technological infrastructure and educational frameworks.
· Initiatives that are not only about improving internet access but are fundamental to bridging the digital divide that separates our communities from the vast potential of the global digital economy.
· However, our path is not without challenges. The digital divide, economic disparities, and social inequalities persist, hindering our progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and the aspirations of our 2050 Strategy.
· Despite these challenges, the 2050 Strategy Implementation Plan supported by the Lagatoi Declaration on Digital Transformation of the Pacific, offers a roadmap filled with opportunities. Our vision is clear—we aim to leverage digital technologies to foster inclusive growth and enhance our resilience against environmental, economic, and social shocks.
· To this end, we have identified several Regional Collective Actions that are particularly relevant to leveraging digital innovation for sustainable development:
· First, Strengthening Governance and Oversight. We are enhancing the governance of digital initiatives to ensure that they align with our regional priorities and deliver tangible benefits to our communities.
· Secondly, building our capacities and capabilities. Through targeted training and education, we are increasing our technical expertise to manage and expand digital infrastructure effectively.
· And thirdly, enhancing Policy Frameworks. We are developing policies that support the sustainable growth of digital economies, ensuring that digital innovations drive economic inclusivity and environmental sustainability.
· The Pacific Resilience Facility, for instance, is a strategic mechanism designed to streamline access to climate finance, which we are keen to leverage for enhancing our digital infrastructure resilience against natural disasters.
· Your excellencies, looking ahead, we invite all our stakeholders to engage deeply with our initiatives. In partnership, we can transform our challenges into opportunities.
· By aligning our actions with the strategic pathways of the 2050 Strategy—focusing on governance, inclusion and equity, and education, research, and technology—we can catalyze the transformative changes needed to secure a sustainable future for the Pacific.
· In conclusion, as we work towards the 2030 Agenda and our 2050 Strategy for a Blue Pacific Continent, let us strengthen our partnerships to ensure that innovation, collaboration, and strategic action drive digital innovation as a cornerstone of sustainable development in the Pacific.
· Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, I Thank you.--ENDS
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