UNDP Strategy for Bangladesh to Strengthen Digital Ecosystem

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has formulated the Digital Strategy 2022-25 to further strengthen the culture of innovation and digital transformation in Bangladesh. Robert Op, UNDP's Chief Digital Officer, and Yolanda Ma, Head of the Digital Policy and Global Partnership, presented how the strategy will be implemented to the visiting Minister of State for ICT Bangladesh, Zunaid Ahmed Palak. The meeting, held at the UNDP headquarters in New York on May 6. UNDP's long-term support for building a digital society, including the a2i program, PTIB, HRP, Youth collab were highly praised in the meeting. The recent partnership between the ICT department and UNDP also discussed the success of the Golden Jubilee Bangladesh Concert at Madison Square Garden as part of a cyber security campaign for LDCs through the High Tech Park Authority. It was decided at the meeting that UNDP, ICT Department, Bangladesh Computer Council, Hi-Tech Park Authority and a2i would jointly work to form Agency to Innovate and Digital Leadership Academy. At the same time, the development of digital standards, guidelines, policies and laws and the success of a2i in building a digital Bangladesh will work together to create digital public goods to strengthen South-South cooperation between Bangladesh and other developing countries in digital government and economy. a2i Policy Adviser Anir Chowdhury and Head of Human Development Media Purabi Matin were present at the meeting. Earlier, the Minister of State for ICT met with Claire Van der Veren, UNDP's Asia Pacific Head, on behalf of the UNDP Bangladesh delegation. International Children's Peace Prize winner Sadat Rahman was also present at the meeting. At that time, the introduction of 'Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman International Award' was discussed in partnership with the Government of Bangladesh to create cyber security awareness for youth and children in the least developed countries. The meeting was attended by UNDP Bangladesh Private Sector Partnership Specialist Jyotish Talukder, Special Sector Partnership Specialist Debashis Roy, Colab's Co-Liaison and Coordination Specialist Jacob Scheme, JPO Program Analyst Verena Bhad.