By In a compelling address at the Summit of the Future, His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, President of the Republic of Maldives, called for urgent action to bridge the digital divide that hampers development and opportunity for millions. Speaking during the interactive dialogue on “Towards a Common Digital Future,” President Muizzu emphasized that over one-third of the global population remains disconnected from the internet, a stark reality that disproportionately affects developing nations.
Drawing from his earlier remarks at the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the President reiterated, “The Future is Intelligence Driven,” highlighting the rapid advancements in Artificial Intelligence that outpace even expert understanding. He stressed that this digital divide represents not only a barrier to access but a profound obstacle to justice and equitable development, particularly for SIDS, least developed countries (LDCs), and landlocked developing countries (LLDCs).
In his opening remarks, President Muizzu outlined three pivotal strategies to foster an inclusive digital economy:
- Empowering Youth: He urged participants to prioritize initiatives that enable young people to actively engage in the digital economy. The Maldives is committed to investing in digital skills and supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to connect with global markets, empowering youth as leaders of digital transformation.
- Building Digital Infrastructure: The President emphasized the necessity of robust digital infrastructure to meet the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. He called for investments in high-speed internet access, digital services, and the integration of AI technologies to enhance productivity. The Maldives is already taking steps through the National Centre for Information Technology to realize these objectives.
- Safeguarding Consumer Rights: Recognizing the challenges of digitalization, President Muizzu highlighted the importance of protecting consumer rights against threats like unauthorized access and data privacy violations. He announced the establishment of the National Cybersecurity Agency in the Maldives to tackle these issues, advocating for international cooperation to build resilient cybersecurity frameworks.
Concluding his remarks, President Muizzu expressed a commitment to fostering a digital world that is inclusive, resilient, and just. He invited other nations to share their experiences and best practices in the dialogue, emphasizing that through collective efforts, we can harness the digital revolution for a brighter common future.
As President Muizzu leads the charge for digital innovation and cooperation, the Maldives positions itself as a proactive advocate for inclusive development on the global stage.