Combating COVID-19 and Ensuring No One is Left Behind

By Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Kanni Wignaraja, and Bambang SusantonoBANGKOK, Thailand, Jul 12 2021 (IPS) If the world wants to beat back the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure no one is left behind in the recovery, two issues thrown into sharp relief by the pandemic need attention: digitalization and regional cooperation. Ensuring the digital transformation reaches all in Asia Pacific is one of the greatest challenges we face Armida Salsiah AlisjahbanaEven before COVID-19, the digital revolution was transforming how people and businesses work. As the pandemic unfolded, the accelerated adoption of digital technologies helped governments, education, private enterprise and people keep activities going amid social distancing, lockdowns and other containment measures. High-speed internet connectivity and financial technology hold immense promise for deepening financial inclusion, and keeping local economies alive, even in times of crisis. Yet many poor households, women and vulnerable groups have been unable to afford or access the benefits of digitalization. Digital divides within and between countries in the region threaten to exacerbate existing gaps in economic and social development. We need more equitable access to digital technologies to drive innovation and create new business models. Regional cooperation must refocus on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Regional cooperation plays a critical role in managing the transition out of the current crisis, and a renewed focu...
Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Tags: Climate Change Development & Aid Economy & Trade Education Environment Global Headlines Health Humanitarian Emergencies Inequity Labour Poverty & SDGs TerraViva United Nations Source Type: news