STATEMENT BY MR. VIVEK GANESH, FIRST SECRETARY, PERMANENT MISSION OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS AT THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL (ECOSOC) COORDINATION SEGMENT PANEL DISCUSSION ON “HARNESSING DATA, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION TO ADVANCE DIGITAL PROGRESS”, UNHQ, NEW YORK 7 FEBRUARY 2025

Thank you, Mr. Vice-President, 

Thank you for convening this important discussion, and to the moderator, distinguished panellists and discussants for their important insights. Our topic today is both timely and urgent given that we are falling behind on the 2030 Agenda. 

2 The digital revolution has immense potential to transform and improve our societies. It is often cited that progress towards 70% of the SDGs can be accelerated by harnessing the power of digital technologies. This is not a mere theoretical proposition. It is something we have witnessed firsthand in Singapore, and I am sure many of you have seen it in your own societies. It has transformed the way we work, learn, access government services, and interact, not only with one another but the wider world. We have seen concrete demonstrations such as at the SDG Digital events held during recent High-Level Weeks. 

3 Digital inclusion is our main challenge – ensuring that the potential of digital technologies is available to and accessible by all. In a very real sense, progress on the SDGs and closing the digital divide are two sides of the same coin. With this imperative in mind, I would like to make three points.

4 First, we are not starting from scratch. We have made commendable progress at the UN in recent years to advance digital inclusion, cooperation and capacity building. Even with rapid technological change, we continue to build a more open, secure, stable, accessible, peaceful, and interoperable digital landscape. Our adoption of the Global Digital Compact (GDC) set out our shared vision for digital cooperation at the global level. It represents a significant step forward, affording us a clear roadmap for collaboration to bridge the digital divide and harness digital technologies for all so that no one is left behind.

5 Second, we must accelerate implementation, especially of the GDC. Implementing the Compact facilitates both progress towards the SDGs and equips the UN and multilateralism with relevance and responsiveness for future needs. We need to deliver early, practical results and deliver tangible outcomes from the GDC to maintain its momentum. 

6 Third, digital transformation is a collective journey, and no country has all the answers, even the most digitally advanced nations. This underscores the importance of capacity-building and knowledge-sharing – through North-South, South-South and triangular cooperation. In this spirit, Singapore has launched initiatives such as the Digital Forum of Small States (FOSS) Fellowship and the AI Playbook for Small States, aimed at sharing our experiences as a small State and fostering platforms where small States can collaborate to share insights and benefit from mutual learning. Collective action and collaboration can ensure that no one is left behind.

Mr. Vice-President,

7 Singapore stands ready to support the UN’s efforts to harness data, science, technology, and innovation to enhance digital progress. We look forward to working with all Member States to close the digital divide and accelerate progress towards the achievement of the SDGs. 

8 Thank you.

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