His Excellency Eng. Ahmed Alsuwaiyan,
Governor of Digital Government Authority
Excellencies,
Distinguished Participants,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a pleasure to join you here in Riyadh, at this second edition of the Digital Government Forum.
This Forum＊s focus on digital transformation and its impact on achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is very timely.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has many good practices to share. Your Vision 2030 has guided remarkable progress in sustainable development and a thriving economy. This success underscores your leadership role and growing contribution to global solidarity, prosperity, and digital cooperation.
With just seven years left to 2030, more than ever, we need a fundamental shift in our approach, which will drive progress across all 17 Goals.
Digital transformation has the enormous potential to accelerate this shift in a way that will inspire and motivate our efforts.
Digital technologies have transformed people＊s lives in fundamental ways, driving the rate and shape of economic growth, social progress, and sustainability.
The digital landscape is rapidly widening and deepening its reach.
In just two decades, the number of people enjoying access to the Internet has quintupled to 5.3 billion.
Powered by Artificial Intelligence and other technologies, digital jobs and e-commerce are growing, even during crises.
In the public sector, including here in Saudi Arabia, and across the globe, Governments are integrating AI into diverse sectors, such as infrastructure, environment, security, public services, and research.
In fact, digital government is a fundamental pillar of the future of Government.
There is no longer a clear distinction or separation between the physical Government and Digital government.
Recent crises like the COVID-19 pandemic have compelled Governments to rethink the role of digitalization and deliver more innovative digital solutions with agility and resilience.
The virtual court and the virtual hospitals of Riyadh are prime examples.
But in embracing digital government, there are some key areas that we must address to ensure effective application of digitization. Allow me to reflect on three of these.
First, we need to build a resilient and inclusive digital economy.
Today, the digital economy makes up more than 15 per cent of the global GDP and has grown 2. 5 times faster over the previous ten years than the GDP of the physical world.
Beyond the need to address the current vicious cycle of weak investment, slow growth, and rising debt servicing burdens in which many countries are trapped, a targeted focus on developing digital economic capacity is needed, more than ever.
Improving the reach and resilience of digital economies is possible with better mobilization of technologies, data and science, applying strategic foresight and systems thinking, and enhancing digital literacy for all.
Collectively, we also need better safeguards that reduce the risks of operating in a digital space. Both the public and private sectors need to be better prepared and be more resilient to shocks and crisis.
Second, we need to future-proof Digital Government.
Digital Government is a means to an end, and not an end in itself.
We need to continue to rethink, reform and redesign Digital Government for it to be fit for purpose.
Effective digital government must continue to empower public institutions to deliver quality public services and to respond to the need of people, especially the most vulnerable groups, even more so in times of crisis.
Policy processes and service delivery, when reengineered digitally, must strive for a balance to be effective, inclusive, transparent, and accountable.
For instance, the promise of AI for seamless, data-centric services should not be at the expense of personal privacy and bias.
Such an approach requires whole-of-government and whole of society engagement. It means advancing effective collaboration across government departments and levels of government, and working with the tech industry and think tanks. It requires ensuring transparency and accountability around the crisis response and beyond, and fighting corruption.
Third, is the need to bridge the digital divides that exist both within and across country contexts.
Advancement in digitalization usually benefits those groups that have easiest access, those with higher income, for example, while many of the poorest and most vulnerable are being left behind.
Globally, in 2022, 62 per cent of men were using the Internet, compared with 57 percent of women. In low-income countries, only 21 percent of women use the Internet.
Governments need to work harder to bridge all forms of digital divides, including the deployment of critical infrastructure and development of digital competencies and skills among the vulnerable communities.
Digital literacy and inclusive design must receive more attention in the design and approach of digital government.
Government must shift from ＆digital by default＊ to ※inclusive by default§ - to include those who need the services most.
Excellencies,
Distinguished Participants,
Advancing global digital cooperation is critical for advancing sustainable development.
Digitalization is now woven into the fabric of our society and established itself as potential driver of sustainable development.
But several challenges remain, including the lack of capacities, capabilities and resources, especially among the developing countries, the middle-income countries and countries in special situations.
To overcome these hurdles, we need strengthened global digital cooperation.
I look forward to the outcomes of the Digital Government Forum, and encourage you as leaders and champions to take bold decisions in shaping the future of Digital Government that reflect the priorities of people living around the world 每 leaving no one behind.
Your voice and leadership will be an important contribution in the lead-up to the Global Digital Compact and the Pact for the Future, to be agreed at the 51勛圖 Summit of the Future next September.
Thank you.