Jakarta (ANTARA) - The third meeting of the G20 Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG) was kicked off offline in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, on Wednesday.

The meeting is being hosted by the Indonesian Communication and Informatics Ministry on July 20 and 21, 2022.

"Welcome to Labuan Bajo, or as locals say, 'Tabe Mai Ceng'go' Labuan Bajo. Labuan Bajo, which is located westwards of my home, reminds me of my childhood on this island," Communication and Informatics Minister, Johnny G. Plate, said, according to a press release issued the same day.

Delegates from 17 countries joined the meeting in person, while delegates from three countries attended it via virtual means.

Guest countries invited to the meeting included the Netherlands, Singapore, and Spain. The third DEWG meeting was also attended by representatives from some National Knowledge Partners, such as the University of Indonesia, Padjajaran University, and Gadjah Mada University.

Representatives from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) joined the meeting as Global Knowledge Partners.

Minister Plate expressed his gratitude for the delegates' presence at the third DEWG meeting.

"It is an honor for me to welcome all of you to the 3rd Digital Economy Working Group," he remarked.

The G20 Presidency was an honor for Indonesia, he said. The opportunity was seized by Indonesia to facilitate and encourage discussions between stakeholders, whether public or private, regarding many global digital transformation issues.

"So far, the Digital Economy Working Group has been very productive. I appreciate all efforts from delegates who are here, in person, today, as well as those who are participating through virtual means," the minister said.

The meeting was also attended by chair of the G20 DEWG and general secretary of the Communication and Informatics Ministry, Mira Tayyiba, as well as alternate DEWG chair and special staff for digital policy and human resources development at the ministry, Dedy Permadi.

Other officials who took part in the meeting included the general inspector of the ministry, Doddy Setiadi; director general of information and public communication, Usman Kansong; head of research and human resource development, Hary Budiarto; and expert staff on communication and mass media at the ministry, Widodo Muktiyo.

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Translator: Natisha A, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Sri Haryati
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