UN officials have warned that as the digital world continues to transform, developing regions are at risk of being left behind. The UN Assistant Secretary General for Economic Development, Navid Hanif, acknowledged the advancements in digital government but stated that regional differences still exist.
“There has been a noticeable uptrend in the growth of digital government. The good news is that technology is being used globally to improve government services and increase public engagement, according to Hanif. However, 1.37 billion people are still without access to the internet and are on the wrong side of the digital divide, he continued.
UN officials in Spain also presented data on the world’s top digital performers, stating that Saudi Arabia, Germany, and Spain are among the top 18 countries, with Denmark at the top of the list, according to Vincenzo Aquaro, Chief of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs Digital Government Branch.
The UN is calling for more support to developing nations, especially in Africa, to reduce digital inequalities.
