Asean moves forward on digital transformation, connectivity

Regional countries will continue to promote cooperation as they advance smart connectivity and digital transformation in line with the Master Plan on Asean Connectivity 2025.
Speaking at the 19th Asean Telecommunication and Information Technology Ministers Meeting in Vientiane on Thursday, Lao Minister of Post and Telecommunications, Dr Thansamay Kommasith, said  regional cooperation on Information Communication and Technology (ICT) has enabled better living standards and supported rapid growth in the development of individuals, businesses, the economy and society.
“If we recall, the first Asean Telecommunications and Information Technology Ministers Meeting held in 2001 aimed to enhance regional cooperation on telecommunications and ICT to strengthen all aspects of regional connectivity,” he said.
“It has been almost two decades since then, and Asean nations have expanded collaboration and taken regional cooperation to the next level,” he added.
The minister highlighted the initiatives the region was working on such as cybersecurity, e-government, innovation and digital transformation, while recognising the participation of dialogue partners and international organisations and their essential role in Asean ICT sector development.
Dr Thansamay believed the foundation to digital transformation was infrastructure connectivity, as well as focusing on the development of a digital ecosystem. He saw this as the key to realising the vision of a digitally enabled economy which is secure, sustainable, and transformative, and facilitating an innovative, inclusive and integrated Asean community.
However, the rapid change in technology and innovation presented both opportunities and challenges.
“Today, we have Artificial Intelligent, Big Data, Cloud Computing, BlockChain and the Internet of Things, which result from the revolution of innovation and technology, and represents a new era of computing and communication systems including 5G and mobile applications,” he said.
Dr Thansamay added that policymakers and regulators needed to ensure that legislation is in place to keep up with the fast changing technology while not hampering innovation and promoting its use for the best public benefit.
Also speaking at the event, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Sonexay Siphandone said ICT, innovation, and digital transformation were crucial drivers of Asean socio-economic development today.
Dr Sonexay stressed that ICT and digital technologies were evolving rapidly, and digitalisation would continue to have a profound impact on people’s lives, offering many opportunities for further development.
Digital connectivity has enabled innovative forms of communication, which has made new types of partnerships possible, allowed access to markets and created new industries.
In addition, it has improved government services including the healthcare and education sectors.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update October 25, 2019)