G20 Digital Ministers adopts a new declaration that leverages the potential of digitalisation for a resilient, strong, sustainable and inclusive recovery

During their meeting on 5 August 2021, the G20 Digital Ministers adopted a new declaration on ‘leveraging research, higher education and digitalisation for a strong, sustainable, resilient and inclusive recovery’ which focuses on the fundamental contribution of digital to support governments in building stronger, inclusive, and sustainable societies, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis. To this aim, the declaration tackles three fundamental pillars: how to address the changing nature of skills, how to harness the potential of digital technology whilst upholding ethical principles and values, and how to leverage common digital infrastructures to support research collaboration, open science, and higher education. It further focuses on thematic areas regarding the digital transition of the public sector:

• Recognising the importance of the digitalisation of public services for citizens and businesses, emerged especially during the COVID-19 crisis, and the necessity of enabling inclusive, accessible, and human-centric digital public services, while protecting privacy.
• Acknowledging the digital identity as ‘easily usable, reliable, secure, trusted, and portable. ‘
• Recognising the role of the ‘agile regulation’ in promoting innovation and economic growth and avoiding the potential negative impacts of technological progress on the environment and society.