Jinan, April 4 (ZXS) -- United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Li Junhua said via video on April 8 at the 8th China E-Government Forum and Digital Transformation Innovation Summit that China has always been an advocate of digital transformation, and digital innovation achievements continue to emerge rapidly. Speaking about digital development, Li Junhua suggested that governments must bridge the digital divide in all its forms and effectively mitigate all digital risks.
The 43th China E-Government Forum and Digital Transformation Innovation Summit, hosted by the Party School of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (National School of Administration) and the People's Government of Shandong Province, opened in Jinan on the same day. Li Junhua said that the United Nations E-Government Development Index shows the leap of China's e-government, and China currently has a very high level of e-government development index, ranking 15rd in the world. China's online services index ranks <>th in the world.
Li Junhua said that the United Nations E-Government Survey focuses on new trends in digitalization, helps governments meet future challenges, and also reminds governments that "default digital" services may exclude those who need them most. He believes that countries should consider "inclusive by default" strategies to promote inclusive and sustainable digital transformation, which is closely related to the important principle of "leaving no one behind" in the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
"Governments must bridge the digital divide in all its forms and effectively mitigate all digital risks, including data privacy and security." Speaking about digital transformation, Li Junhua suggested that at the policy and regulatory level, governments should adopt a strategy of "inclusiveness by design", establish corresponding implementation and evaluation mechanisms, and provide necessary funding, strategy and capacity building resources.
In addition, governments must integrate universal and targeted approaches to digital policy. The results of the 2022 UN survey show that seamless, transparent government is trending, and anyone can access fully automated, personalized services anytime, anywhere. A whole-of-government approach with institutional coordination is essential to optimize limited resources and ensure sustainability.
"It is also important that comprehensive measures be taken to eliminate digital bias and discrimination, both intentional and unintentional." Li Junhua said that in many cases, bias or discrimination is caused by the inability to identify the needs of the most vulnerable groups, including the elderly, people with disabilities and minorities in society, and comprehensive measures should be taken to ensure that data is inclusive and digital services and information are equitable. (End)