Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey, Secretary General of BIMSTEC, on Saturday stressed the need for collaboration among Member States for promoting an open, safe and inclusive digital landscape.

He emphasized that the regional consultation on Global Digital Compact (GDC) inaugurated in Dhaka should help better understand the challenges that countries face in dealing with emerging technologies, digital economy and cyber security, etc.

He thanked the UN Secretary General and his Envoy on Technology for launching the idea of GDC and working on its adoption during the UN Summit of the Future in September 2024.

Regional Consultation on Global Digital Compact (GDC), jointly organized by Bangladesh and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Secretariat, was inaugurated in Dhaka on Saturday.

Speaking as the chief guest at the opening of the regional consultation, Kazi Nabil Ahmed, MP, Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, highlighted the importance attached to GDC by Bangladesh in the context of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's vision for a "Smart Bangladesh".

He underscored the need for enhanced access to digital infrastructures and the economy by fostering inclusivity and innovation toward leaving no one behind.

He urged BIMSTEC Member States to work together on addressing disparities in access to digital technology within and among countries.

The two-day event, which will close on June 23, aims to identify and promote shared objectives and relevant priorities towards facilitating a unified voice in the ongoing negotiations on GDC at the UN in New York.

The consultation involves relevant government officials/ experts from BIMSTEC Member States as well as representatives from UN-ESCAP and BIMSTEC Secretariat.

Ambassador Abdul Motaleb Sarker, Director General (SAARC & BIMSTEC) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh outlined some areas of mutual interest within GDC for BIMSTEC Member States.

He also mentioned certain issues that the Bangladesh delegation has so far suggested incorporating in the Global Compact.

Syed Mohammad Kamal, Vice President of Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) expressed hope that the consultation would find ways to ensure an inclusive, safe and equitable
future and drive innovation within the ICT industry through the active participation of the private sector and other stakeholders.

The two-day consultation consists of five technical sessions where BIMSTEC Member States will have an opportunity to discuss priorities concerning five key GDC objectives, leveraging the region's collaborations and efforts to ensure a secure digital environment and promote sustainable technological advancement.