LocationsUNDP Resident Representative highlights digital transformation as a tool for social justice, economic access and climate resilience at 2nd SIDS Internet Governance Forum
Digital Transformation Presents Unprecedented Opportunities for Small Island Developing States
June 3, 2024
UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Limya Eltayeb (3rd right). From left: Mr. Rodney Taylor, CTU Secretary-General; Hon. Melford Nicholas, Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Information Communication Technologies, Utilities and Energy; and Dr. Reyson Lizardo, Director, Government and Public Administration, Dominican Republic.
UNDP
St. John's, ANTIGUA & BARBUDA – Digital transformation presents unprecedented opportunities for economic growth, resilience, and inclusion in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). However, it requires ethical data use, public-private collaboration, and widespread digital literacy efforts to ensure that no one is left behind. This was the key message delivered by Resident Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Ms. Limya Eltayeb, as she participated at the 2nd SIDS Internet Governance Forum - “Leveraging Digital Governance for Resilient Prosperity in SIDS” on May 29.
The UNDP Resident Representative underscored that digital transformation should be focused on people, addressing their needs and future aspirations. She added that with an ever-evolving digital landscape, it is necessary to always remember the ‘why’ behind the pursuit of digital transformation.
“Digital in itself is not the goal – it is the means to a goal,” she asserted, emphasizing that digital technology is a tool to achieve social justice, economic access, and climate resilience, as well as reduce systemic inefficiencies.
She went on to highlight some of the digital initiatives that which UNDP is supporting in SIDS, such as improving case and records management systems for the police and judiciary; job creation and economic resilience through digital platforms; and early warning systems to build greater climate resilience. Noting that data-driven decision-making is key to ensuring digital solutions reach the right people, she cautioned that ethical concerns around data privacy and security must be addressed to build public trust.
Ms. Eltayeb also contended that public-private partnerships are essential for scaling digital solutions and making investments sustainable. Finally, she urged SIDS to transition from technology consumers to innovators as the region continues to leverage digital tools for a more sustainable and inclusive future,
The 2nd SIDS Internet Governance Forum, organized by the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), was an official side event of the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) in Antigua and Barbuda. Other distinguished speakers were Hon. Melford Nicholas, Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs), Utilities and Energy; Dr. Reyson Lizardo, Director, Government and Public Administration, Dominican Republic; and Dr. Curtis Charles, Dean and Director of Academic Affairs at The UWI Five Islands Campus in Antigua and Barbuda.
Watch the video for the UNDP Resident Representative’s full intervention.
