NEW DELHI: While addressing a session on digital transformation at the G20 summit in Bali, Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested that the effective use of digital technology could help in the long-running global fight against poverty.
Modi stressed the need of spreading the benefits of digital technology around the globe and pledged that during India's G20 presidency, which will begin on December 1, the country will collaborate with other G20 members to achieve this goal.
Citing the advantages of digital technology during the Covid pandemic, Modi said: "Digital solutions may also be useful in the fight against climate change, as we all saw in the examples of remote working and paperless green offices during Covid.
Also read: G20 Summit: PM Modi holds meeting with Macron, Scholz
However, "these advantages can only be realised when the use of digital technology is genuinely pervasive and when digital access is truly inclusive." However, he made the point that it is the duty of all G20 leaders to make sure that the advantages of the digital transformation are not restricted to a small segment of the human race.
Here, the Prime Minister discussed India's recent experience with inclusive digital architecture and how it has resulted in a socio-economic revolution.
Also Read: PM Modi interacts with world leaders at Bali G20 summit
The application of technology can increase scale and speed. Governance can benefit from transparency. According to Modi, India has created digital public goods with democratic values embedded into their fundamental architecture. He added that although India has opened up internet access to the general population, there is still a significant digital divide globally because most people living in underdeveloped nations lack any sort of digital identification.
Also Read: G20 Summit: PM Modi met Rishi Sunak, first meeting after becoming British PM
There are digital payment systems in only 50 nations. The Prime Minister said, "Can we make a joint commitment that, in the next ten years, we will bring digital transformation to every human life, ensuring that no one in the globe is denied access to the advantages of digital technology.