At the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025, global leaders, policymakers, and experts gathered to spark a digital revolution! The event, titled "Enhancing Digital Capacity Building & Bridging Digital Divide," underscored the power of inclusive policies, strong public-private partnerships, and innovative education-driven solutions.
Former Finnish Prime Minister Esko Aho ignited the conversation, drawing parallels to the legendary U.S. Apollo program 🚀. He reminded everyone that collaboration during the Cold War space race laid the groundwork for today’s digital infrastructure – and that human capacity building is the heartbeat of technological progress.
Cambodia's Undersecretary of State for the Ministry of Commerce, Svay Nakry, unveiled a bold five-pillar strategy. Measures like subsidizing internet and cloud computing costs, expanding broadband, and launching platforms like CambodiaTrade.org are designed to empower small and women-led businesses, making digital access more equitable 🎯.
Adding to the dialogue, Iran's President of the Center for Progress and Development, Sajjad Ahadzadeh, spotlighted initiatives such as tech parks, tax incentives for knowledge-based companies, and open-access AI projects like DeepSeek. His call for early integration of programming and AI literacy in school curricula resonated with a tech-savvy audience 🤖.
The session concluded with interactive audience questions about AI in the Chinese mainland. Panelists agreed that no single nation or entity can bridge the digital divide alone. Instead, a global, collaborative approach is essential to ensure technology serves as a bridge — not a barrier — to inclusive growth 💡.
This vibrant exchange at the Boao Forum reminds us that digital equality is not just about access, but about empowering minds for a brighter future.
Reference(s):
Global leaders talk about bridging the digital divide at Boao Forum
cgtn.com
