Estonia and Singapore are co-sponsoring a Global Declaration on the Digital Response to COVID-19, “Close the Digital Divides: the Digital Response to COVID-19”. The declaration was launched at a videoconference at the level of Foreign Ministers on Wednesday, 1 July 2020.
The COVID-19 crisis is the greatest global challenge since the Second World War. While many of us have endured unimaginable hardship during the crisis, it is still possible to turn this challenge into an opportunity to build stronger societies that can withstand devastating social, economic and political emergencies. This can be done by using innovative digital solutions.
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OBJECTIVES:
The aim of this Ministerial Conference was to provide an opportunity to discuss how countries can emerge stronger and better equipped from the COVID-19 crisis by using innovative and flexible digital solutions, and working together as a global family. Countries can share the lessons learned from our response to this unprecedented crisis, and highlight their outlook for our future, particularly as we face challenges to multilateralism and in view of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations.
The Global Declaration on the Digital Response to COVID-19 remains open to be co-sponsored and supported by all interested countries.
BACKGROUND:
The creation of the internet led to a revolution. Similarly, the digital transformation of societies, which has sped up as a result of the current COVID-19 crisis, could bring about a global breakthrough. Digital transformation should be addressed in a holistic manner, encompassing all aspects of society. This crisis has underlined once more that digital transformation is crucial for strengthening the resilience of societies. At the same time, accelerated digitalisation could lead to widening digital divides. This has to be avoided, and no one should be left behind. We need strong political will, vision and a systematic approach to realise the potential of digitalisation.
SUPPORTERS OF THE DECLARATION (as of 10.07.2020)
- Algeria
- Andorra
- Azerbaijan
- Austria
- Bahrain
- Benin
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Burkina Faso
- Chile
- Colombia
- Cote d' Ivoire
- Cyprus
- Djibouti
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Georgia
- Guyana
- Honduras
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Israel
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Mali
- Morocco
- Netherlands
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Oman
- Palau
- Palestine
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Rwanda
- San Marino
- Seychelles
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- Sri Lanka
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- Suriname
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
