A Catalyst for Social Transformation
The President of the UN General Assembly, Dennis Francis, has lauded India's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) as a crucial driver of social transformation and progress. He emphasized that equitable access to DPI can create equal opportunities in all aspects of life, as evidenced by India's remarkable trajectory.
Digital Public Infrastructure, Transformative Technology for Citizens,' highlighted India's success in expanding DPI access, enabling millions to achieve financial independence and prosperity. He noted that India's DPI model has achieved over 80% financial inclusion and accounts for over 60% of global digital transactions.
Francis stressed the need to bridge the digital divide, with approximately 37% of the world's population lacking internet access. He sees the Global Digital Compact, part of the Summit of the Future, as an opportunity to close this gap and expand digital infrastructure for a significant portion of the global population.
UN Development Programme Administrator Achim Steiner commended India's leadership in harnessing technology and emphasized the importance of DPI. He believes that India's concept of the Citizen Stack signifies a shift from being mere users to active digital citizens.
Amandeep Singh Gill, UN Secretary-General's Envoy on Technology, acknowledged India's role in fostering global consensus on DPIs through the G20 DPI framework. He sees the Global Digital Compact as an opportunity to further advance this consensus.
The conference brought together leaders from various countries who are successfully leveraging DPI to transform societies and economies. The India Stack, a publicly owned technology platform, serves as a national digital spine, enabling a range of citizen services.
India's DPI model, a public-private partnership, has become a benchmark for nations, corporations, and startups worldwide. It has created a nation of 1.4 billion digitally and financially included citizens, significantly increasing bank penetration and driving over 60% of global digital transactions.
This conference serves as a continuation of India's G20 Presidency in 2023, showcasing successful examples from countries like the Philippines and Ethiopia, who have achieved similar national outcomes through different paths.