United Nations' First International Conference on Digital Public Infrastructure Led by India
Advancing Digital Public Infrastructure
India spearheaded the United Nations' first international conference on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), demonstrating its commitment to leveraging technology to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and promote inclusivity. India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ruchira Kamboj, emphasized the country's leadership in integrating technology into citizen services during the inaugural session.
The conference, titled the Inaugural United Nations Conference on Digital Public Infrastructure: Citizen Stack, brought together global leaders, technology innovators, and policy experts to explore new ways of using technology for societal progress.
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| United Nations' first international conference on Digital Public Infrastructure held under the leadership of India |
India's Pioneering Citizen Stack Initiative
A central focus of the conference was India's Citizen Stack initiative, inspired by the transformative India Stack. This initiative showcases India's successful integration of technology into citizen services and the implementation of a modular open-source identity platform.
Indian technology startup Jokata was the only enterprise presented at the inaugural conference, highlighting its partnership with SIDBI to create 'Jokata Sampoorna', India's first and only monthly index on MSME economic activity. This project, praised at the United Nations Conference, uses digitally accessible sales data from GST to track economic trends.
Global Applications of Digital Public Infrastructure
The conference also discussed case studies demonstrating how components of modular open-source identity platforms like Citizen Stack are helping countries like Ethiopia and the Philippines tailor DPI to their specific needs, promoting digital sovereignty.
These examples underscore the importance of adaptable and flexible DPI systems that can be tailored to meet the unique requirements of different countries. India's leadership in this area is paving the way for other nations to follow.
Key Contributors to the Conference
Several notable individuals contributed to the conference, including:
- Ruchira Kamboj, India's Permanent Representative to the UN
- Dennis Francis, President of the UN General Assembly
- Achim Steiner, UN Development Program Administrator
- Ashwini Vaishnaw, India's IT Minister
- Amitabh Kant, India's G20 Sherpa
Their collective insights emphasized the importance of digital public infrastructure in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and fostering digital inclusion.
Conclusion
India's leadership in hosting the United Nations' first international conference on Digital Public Infrastructure marks a significant step towards advancing technology for societal good. The focus on India's Citizen Stack initiative and the recognition of innovative projects like Jokata Sampoorna demonstrate the potential for technology to drive sustainable development and inclusivity.
As the world moves towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, conferences like this serve as a platform for sharing knowledge and fostering collaboration among nations. India's leadership in this domain underscores its commitment to creating a more inclusive and technologically advanced world.
