Opening Keynote Speech by Interim UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Bradley James Busetto at Internationa Conference on Social Research and Innovation -2024

As-Salaam-Alaikum and good morning to you all.

It is a great honor to be here this morning and to address such a distinguished audience on a topic of immense significance for the Maldives – digitalization. I am truly happy to have the opportunity to speak at ICSRI. 

As we gather at ICSRI 2024, a conference dedicated to addressing the pressing environmental and societal challenges of our time, we are reminded of the critical role that innovation and technology play in forging a sustainable path ahead.

Digital technologies are transforming governments, economies, and societies, and they hold immense potential to support the global community in achieving the SDGs adopted by all UN Member States in 2015.

Data and digital technologies can accelerate progress on the SDGs by improving access to essential services such as healthcare, providing data and insights for better decision-making in areas like climate action, and acting as catalysts for broader economic and societal progress. They can also bridge gaps in education and research, facilitating access to information and unlocking innovation.

Digital technologies, including mobile devices, digital public services, and emerging innovations like Artificial Intelligence, are reshaping the global landscape. They can boost financial inclusion, enhance government efficiency, and combat poverty, playing a pivotal role in achieving the SDGs. 

Maldives has made incredible progress in digital connectivity, achieving an impressive internet penetration rate of 84%. This translates to approximately 450 thousand individuals who regularly use the internet, showcasing the nation's commitment to fostering a connected society. The widespread availability of internet services has enabled a vast majority of Maldivians to engage in online activities, from accessing information and services to participating in e-commerce and digital communication.   

This sort of connectivity is really hard to achieve, especially across so many tiny islands.  In my home of California, there are still many areas without any connectivity, believe it or not. 

Equally notable is the robust engagement with social media platforms in the Maldives. With 363 thousand active social media users, about 70% of the population utilizes these platforms to connect with others, share content, and stay informed. This high level of social media activity highlights the central role these platforms play in the daily lives of Maldivians, serving as vital tools for communication, entertainment, and even social activism.

Notable Achievements of the Maldives in Digitalization

Over the past two decades, the country has focused on digitizing governance, infrastructure, human capital development, health, banking, finance, and commerce to cater to its dispersed population. Key achievements include achieving universal telephone coverage by 1999, with 4G connectivity now universal and 5G covering 95% of the population. Broadband connectivity, including fiber-to-home, exceeds 90%, and Starlink internet connectivity is available. Governance digitization has been led by the National Centre for Information Technology (NCIT) since 2003, resulting in multiple web and mobile applications for administrative management and citizen services, enhancing accessibility and empowerment.

In education, digital has been integrated into the national curriculum, and a digitalized education management system supports immersive learning, enhanced parent engagement, and improved educational outcomes. 

In trade, commerce, banking, and finance, the National Single Window (NSW) project, streamlines international trade. Digital portals for business permits, cargo management, tax clearance, and transport permits improve sector efficiency, while universal ATMs, POS systems, internet and mobile banking, e-wallets, and integrated payment gateways support a near-cashless economy.

The Digital Maldives for Adaptation, Decentralization, and Diversification (DMADD) Project is also important to mention. This ambitious initiative, funded by the World Bank and spearheaded by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Technology, is designed to harness digital technologies for a comprehensive development strategy. The DMADD project is focused on:

• Decentralization and Diversification: By enhancing digital connectivity and competitiveness, we are establishing the foundation for economic diversification, a pivotal step toward sustainable growth.
• Enhanced Service Delivery: Through the implementation of digital identification systems, we are streamlining service delivery, making public services more efficient and accessible to all citizens.
• Climate Resilience: Utilizing digital platforms and data, we are strengthening our climate adaptation efforts, ensuring the Maldives is better equipped to tackle environmental challenges.

The vibrant private sector is also driving the digital transformation of the Maldives. Notable among these innovations are:

• OdiApp: A speedboat booking app revolutionizing sea transport across the islands.
• Hologo: A digital education start-up offering AR and VR content in partnership with Apple.

These start-ups exemplify how digital solutions can enhance daily life and create new economic opportunities, reinforcing our nation’s commitment to embracing and advancing digitalization.

A great foundation has been built, but there is still much to do.  A focus on the Blue Economy would also be important – and on the blue economy, several priorities stand out, including in relation to climate adaptation (for example, flood modelling and digital early warning systems) and biodiversity conversation (for example, mapping ocean habitats). 

Many of you may be familiar with the story of Estonia, the tiny post-Soviet state that became a digital powerhouse.  Estonia started with almost zero natural resources.  And purposely became the world’s most digitally connected country.   My view is that Maldives should aim to be the Estonia of the SIDS – or Small Island Developing States.   To lead the way in digital for island states – and in fact – help other island states in their journey.    And then turn the SIDS into Small Island Digital States.     I think this also reflects the President’s ambitions here too. 

How can the UN help? The UNDP accelerator lab here in Maldives is helping to catalyze the start-up scene, focusing on startups that address social challenges.   

More broadly, the UN – again through UNDP – is working with the President’s Office to create a comprehensive strategy on digital transformation – that is based first on a digital readiness assessment, which should be finalized in the next couple of weeks.     Again, thinking about the Estonia use case – it is absolutely essential to have a comprehensive plan so that the technologists, the startups, the policymakers are all working in the same direction. Otherwise, it becomes chaos. 

Ladies and gentlemen as we gather here at ICSRI 2024, let us reaffirm our commitment to harnessing digital innovations for sustainable development. By fostering a collaborative environment among government, private sector, and civil society, we can forge a path ahead that is inclusive, resilient, and sustainable.    

Thank you!