Without serious attempts to bridge this gap, how are we going to face digitalization...that add to the economic struggle?
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Communication and Informatics Minister Johnny G. Plate stated that the three priority issues discussed by the 2022 G20 Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG) reflected a vision to create a sustainable, empowering, and inclusive digital ecosystem.

The minister had appealed at the "B20- G20 Dialogue: Digitalization Task Force" event on Thursday that although the development of technology seemed promising in future, the utilization of a digital ecosystem is like a double-edged sword.

The DEWG is one of the working groups of the G20 that focuses on issues regarding the digital economy and highlights the role of digital transformation on economic and social growth.

Meanwhile, the three priority issues of the 2022 G20 DEWG include connectivity and post-pandemic recovery, digital literacy and skills, as well as cross-country data flows.


Currently, only about 20 percent of the people in developing countries have access to the internet. Furthermore, the gender gap in the digital sector still persists globally.


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"Without serious attempts to bridge this gap, how are we going to face digitalization in the midst of (the current) pandemic and geopolitical situation that have disrupted the food and energy supply chain that add to the economic struggle?" Plate remarked.

The minister pointed to the increasing use of digital technology nowadays. Digitalization is expected to continue to drive economic growth in the following years, as the economy sector is forecast to grow, from around US$520 billion (Rp7,831 trillion) in 2021 to US$1.2 trillion (Rp18,073 trillion) in 2026.

It is also forecast that by 2030, an estimated 70 percent of the new value created in the economy will be based on digitally enabled platform business models.

The minister has said that the business model will use various new technologies, such as self-driving car and digital identity portability strengthening through the web 5.0.

In addition to the three priority issues, the G20 will encourage support to build a better living for the global community by developing digital smart villages and islands, he noted.


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Plate said that his side also supported the initiatives proposed by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the G20 Digital Innovative Network that aimed to advance digitalization and digital innovation.

The G20 Digital Innovative Network was initiated by Italia’s 2021 G20 Presidency under the name of G20 Digital Innovation League. In 2022, the forum aims to encourage cooperation among the 100 most promising start-ups in the five priority sectors of healthcare, renewable energy, smart society, financial inclusivity, and supply chain.

Hence, Plate said that his side highly supported the continued collaboration of all stakeholders in the digital economy sector -- especially the cooperation of the G20 Digital Innovative Network, smart villages, and smart islands with G20's official dialogue forum with the global business community -- or called the B20.

"I believe that our dialogue will be very beneficial for (the development of) our digital ecosystem in future. I also believe that we can recover together and stronger," he added.


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Translator: Rizka Khaerunnisa, Uyu Liman
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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