31 May 2024, SINGAPORE – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), launched an important global initiative on digital inclusion at ATxSummit, an exclusive by-invitation only platform bringing together more than 4,000 guests from 85 countries across tech and government. ATxSummit is part of Asia Tech x Singapore, Asia’s flagship tech platform that unites over 25,000 global and industry decision makers to forge an inclusive digital future.

2    Over the next 100 days, the UNDP will initiate a global consultation to engage its network across 170 countries and territories, national counterparts and practitioners across all regions to generate collective insights on the way forward in safeguarding digital inclusion. Digital inclusion is a critical foundation for economic and social progress as well as the empowerment of individuals and communities. It expands beyond physical and financial access to technology, encompassing broader themes like digital literacy, trust and confidence. As the world changes rapidly with dynamic advancement in technologies and complex global trends¹, it is imperative that digital inclusion strategies evolve and adapt to stay ahead of the curve. Interested parties can sign-up to join the 100-day Global Consultation at go.undp.org/Z2Y.

3    The global consultation will build on UNDP’s Digital Inclusion Playbook that was also launched at the ATxSummit, providing a foundational set of framework, policy recommendations and global case-studies that support countries in taking immediate actions to ensure digital inclusion in their communities. The report features digital inclusion initiatives across the world, including Singapore’s newly launched Digital Skills for Life (DSL) framework² which underpins its national Digital for Life (DfL) movement. Individuals can pick up digital skills under the DSL framework through resources available on IMDA’s DfL portal at www.digitalforlife.gov.sg.

4    The insights from the Global Consultation would go towards enriching and expanding the Digital Inclusion Playbook particularly in its future outlook, fostering a network of like-minded policymakers and practitioners, as well as shaping the potential for further collaborations and initiatives.

5    The UNDP and IMDA convened a high-level roundtable at the ATxSummit on 31 May 2024 to launch the Digital Inclusion Playbook and the 100-day Global Consultation. The roundtable kickstarted the consultation process with a productive dialogue among senior government officials from 11 countries³ across different regions, as well as senior representatives from the international organisations, private sector and civil society⁴, who contributed deep insights.

6    Mr Robert Opp, Chief Digital Officer, UNDP highlighted: “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. UNDP is delighted to have convened the high-level roundtable together with IMDA, and we look forward to further engagements globally.”

7    Ms 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. Singapore will continue to collaborate with our global partners to forge a digitally inclusive world, where no one will be left behind.”

***

About United Nations Development Programme

UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in nearly 170 countries and territories, we offer global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations.

The Global Centre for Technology, Innovation and Sustainable Development is a joint initiative by the Government of Singapore and the UNDP which aims at identifying and co-creating technological solutions for sustainable development. The Centre curates partnerships, identifies solutions and connects partners and innovations with UNDP’s Global Policy Network and development partners.

About Infocomm Media Development Authority

The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) leads Singapore’s digital transformation by developing a vibrant digital economy and an inclusive digital society. As Architects of Singapore’s Digital Future, we foster growth in Infocomm Technology and Media sectors in concert with progressive regulations, harnessing frontier technologies, and developing local talent and digital infrastructure ecosystems to establish Singapore as a digital metropolis.

For more news and information, visit www.imda.gov.sg or follow IMDA on LinkedIn (IMDAsg) and Instagram (@imdasg).

Media Contacts

• UNDP: Li Wen Ng, Communication Consultant, liwen.ng@undp.org
• IMDA: Jennifer Lee, Manager, Communications and Marketing, jennifer_lee@imda.gov.sg

¹ Refer to the 2024 UNDP Trends Report: The Landscape of Development

² The DSL framework, introduced by IMDA in January 2024, is a set of digital competencies (such as skills for transacting online and for staying safe and discerning online) to support Singaporeans of all ages to carry out their daily tasks online.

³ Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, Japan, Kenya, Lithuania, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Singapore, the United States of America, Zambia

⁴ UNDP, World Bank, Google, WhatsApp, DQ Institute, Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, The Council for Third Age