Cross-Cutting Session: Digital Transformation beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic

About the event

The side-event was organized by the UN Digital Transformation Group for Europe and Central Asia, with the coordination of ITU and UNECE and contribution of UN Women, UNIDO, UNICEF, UNECE, and UNFPA.

Development through digital transformation is a complex issue that touches on many enablers, including broadband availability, sectoral e-strategies, and programs fostering digital inclusion or developing innovation communities. With the COVID-19 pandemic highlighting the importance of digital transformation, Member States relied substantially on digital components to adapt to the “new normal”.

As “digital" is not only a solution to an emergency, but a long-term investment towards inclusion, resilience, and against risk, this event provided a platform for Member States to discuss challenges, opportunities, and necessary policy actions related to digital dimensions of each SDG of focus during the 2022 RFSD: SDG4 “Quality of Education”, SDG5 “Gender Equality”, SDG14 “Life below water”, and SDG15 “Life on land”, all while highlighting the importance of partnerships as per necessities to take multistakeholder approaches to address digital transformation.

With the adoption of distance learning, Member States exchanged on drivers of e-governance of education system to increase learning outcomes for children and youths, alongside nurturing digital economy and society growth through digital skills development. Partners also discussed ways to provide equal technological access, especially to women, girls and youth, and other marginalized groups, ensuring equal participation in ICTs and STEM sectors. Finally, Member States exchanged on innovative ICT-based solutions that support overcoming obsolete and polluting practices, mitigating environmental risks and challenges, conserving marine and terrestrial ecosystems, and sustainably using earth resources.