2024.02.15
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Connecting Futures: ASEAN’s Path to a Sustainable Digital Economy
17 (Wednesday) ~ 19 (Friday) April 2024
Due to the spread of COVID-19 and the development of information and communication technology, the digital economy[1] has rapidly expanded worldwide. Even before the outbreak of COVID-19, ASEAN[2] had promoted digital transition and integration, and the outbreak of COVID-19 has further increased its importance in terms of economic recovery and the creation of growth engines. Within this strategy, ASEAN identifies three key strategic priorities for digital economy policy: 1) Digital trade, 2) Fourth Industrial Revolution (advanced manufacturing), and 3) services sector. According to the “e-Conomy SEA 2022” report[3], the digital economy in ASEAN is expected to maintain an average annual growth rate of 20% from 2022 to 2025. This robust growth reflects the dynamic and expanding nature of the digital landscape in the ASEAN region. However, ASEAN’s digital transitions and digital competitiveness vary greatly by country. Some have world-class digital competitiveness and infrastructure, while others have low digital competitiveness and poor related infrastructure.
According to the KIEP[4], to promote digital transition effectively and improve ASEAN economies, there are four potential directions. Firstly, there is a need to support the expansion of ASEAN's digital infrastructure. While the physical accessibility of digital infrastructure in the ASEAN region has improved, there are still significant disparities among countries. To sustain cooperation with ASEAN and address regional development disparities, first, it is crucial to support the enhancement of digital infrastructure, leveraging the strengths of countries with robust capabilities in this area. Collaboration in fostering digital talent is also crucial. Some countries, despite having limited natural resources, have achieved economic growth through the cultivation of skilled human resources. Nurturing digital-related talents including local efforts to train developers through programming education and collaboration with companies from various countries with strengths in this field can lead to the development of competitive programs. Thirdly, with the enhancement of two previous factors including infrastructure and talent, strengthening cooperation in e-government should come up. Learning from countries or cases with excellent e-government capabilities could be essential. Lastly, enhancing digital trade cooperation through market-opening trade agreements is necessary. To expand digital trade further, it is important to lower digital trade barriers, such as technological standards, competition policies, and regulations on data movement. The high Digital Trade Restrictiveness Index[5] in the ASEAN region signals the need for collaborative efforts in relevant trade norms.
The proposed key directions for cooperation emphasize mutually co-beneficial collaboration. The KIEP suggests the importance of identifying cooperation initiatives that benefit both regions. Rather than fostering a one-sided relationship, the emphasis is on developing collaboration projects that benefit countries with existing strengths and contribute to the growth of the ASEAN region, where appropriate development is needed.In this context, there is a need to establish a platform for sharing and coordinating the outcomes of bilateral cooperation between individual ASEAN countries with the entire ASEAN community. To effectively pursue various projects like this, experts with a deep understanding of each country and field, gathering in one place, can prioritize projects and synergistically collaborate for their implementation. Similarly, coordination at the level of individual ministries is crucial. Handling projects at the individual ministry level may make it challenging to package projects and create synergies. This underscores the need for an organization that facilitates coordination and information-sharing among experts and ministries for the successful implementation of the envisioned policies in each ASEAN country.
On this occasion, the UNITAR CIFAL Jeju/Jeju International Training Center is thrilled to organize the capacity-building Workshop on connecting futures, emphasizing inclusive collaboration and strategies to promote a sustainable ASEAN digital economy. Scheduled from April 17th to April 19th, 2024, at the Jeju International Training Center, this offline Workshop is a significant initiative in response to the expanding digital transition and economy and the evolving landscape in the ASEAN region. Recognizing the diverse conditions and competitiveness levels among member countries, we aim to bridge the digital divide among ASEAN member countries by focusing on critical aspects such as digital infrastructure enhancement, digital talent development, capacity-building in e-government, and the promotion of digital trade cooperation. This event serves as a platform for diverse stakeholders to gain valuable insights, strategies, and collaborative opportunities in navigating the complexities of the digital era. We extend a warm invitation to all selected participants and strongly believe that by fostering a collaborative environment through expert-led lecture sessions, participant-led case-study presentation sessions, and practical problem-solution-based group activity sessions, we can contribute to the more effective and sustainable growth of the ASEAN region.
[1]The definition of
the digital economy is actively debated, focusing on international
organizations such as the OECD, UNCTAD, and WTO. ASEAN, in its 'Consolidated
Strategy on the Fourth Industrial Revolution for ASEAN', defines the digital
economy as "Activities and transactions, both public and private, related
to the production, adoption, and innovation of digital technologies and
services aimed at generating wealth, improving productivity, and enhancing the
quality of life".
[2]ASEAN
is a political and economic union comprising 10 Southeast Asian states,
representing a population of over 600 million across a land area of 4.5 million
km2. In 2022, the bloc's gross domestic product (GDP) reached approximately
US$10.2 trillion in purchasing power parity (PPP), accounting for about 6.5% of
global GDP (PPP). ASEAN encompasses some of the world's fastest-growing
economies.
[3]The
Southeast Asian digital economy is resilient amidst macroeconomic challenges,
with tech investments remaining strong but cautious, DFS surpassing e-commerce,
and a focus on sustainability. Despite a dip in late-stage deals and IPOs,
investors are optimistic about the region's long-term potential, with emerging
markets like the Philippines and Vietnam gaining interest.
[4]ASEAN’s
Medium- to Long-term Trade Strategies and Korea-ASEAN Cooperation Plans
published by Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP) in 2022.
[5]The
Digital Services Trade Restrictiveness Index (DSTRI), according to the OECD,
assesses barriers hindering firms' ability to supply services via electronic
networks across sectors. It covers infrastructure, electronic transactions,
e-payment systems, intellectual property rights, and other barriers. The index
ranges from 0 to 1, with 0 indicating an open regulatory environment and 1
indicating a completely closed regime.
Date: 2024 April 17th (Wed) ~ 19th (Fri)
Learning Objectives - Gain insights into the current and projected growth of the digital economy in ASEAN and understand key factors influencing digital trade barriers. - Learn effective strategies for supporting the expansion of digital infrastructure and identify best practices for leveraging digital capabilities for regional development. - Understand the significance of e-government capabilities in fostering digital transition and explore successful models and lessons from countries with excellent e-government practices.
Methodology
The training will be comprised of: - Expert-led lecture sessions and participant-led case-study presentations- Interactive group activities for practical learning using pre-workshop problem and solution-based templates - Networking time for collaboration opportunities
Target Audience - Government/public officials, policymakers, and regulators involved in digital infrastructure, digital talent, digital trade, commerce, and economic development in the ASEAN region, who are responsible for shaping and implementing policies and projects to promote digital economic development - Representatives and stakeholders from industry experts
Application Process
Applicants will be selected by the organizer through a selection process
*Kindly note that only applicants from the ASEAN Member
States are allowed to apply for the event
*Kindly note that only selected applicants will be
notified individually
*Applications without the required
documents will NOT be considered.
Interested applicants must
submit the following documents to sustainableasean@gmail.com by 10th
March 2024 (Sun).
**
Late applications will NOT be accepted.
Desired Skills - Possess relevant competencies and skills in areas such as digital economy, digital infrastructure, digital talent, e-government, digital trade, or related fields - Display critical thinking skills to evaluate information, identify opportunities, and address challenges related to the digital economy and capacity-building initiatives - Demonstrate leadership potential or experience in driving digital initiatives, fostering collaboration, and implementing sustainable development projects - Be fluent in written and spoken English
Awards - All Participants: Certificate of Completion
* Certificates will be awarded to only those who have
attended all sessions in person
*UNITAR and UNITAR CIFAL Jeju/JITC will issue a certificate
upon the completion of the training
Assistance with travel expenses
UNITAR
CIFAL Jeju/JITC provides LIMITED financial assistance with airfare to
Jeju-do, Republic of Korea
* Local
expenses (transportation between venue and hotel, accommodation, and meals)
during the workshop period(only from 17 April ~ 19 April) will
be covered by UNITAR CIFAL Jeju/JITC * All
other expenses (local transportation in their own country, visa
fee) including during arrival and departure days should be covered
by the participants
For further inquiries, please contact
United
Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)
Centre International de Formation des Autorités
et Leaders (CIFAL)
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