DICT Secretary Ivan John E. Uy chairing the general debate on the theme topic, “Leveraging digital innovation for sustainable development”
BANGKOK, 23 APRIL 2024 - The Philippines, represented by Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John Uy, was elected as a Vice Chair of the 80th Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), which is being held at the United Nations Conference Center in Bangkok until 26 April 2024.
Secretary Uy serves on the meeting bureau with H.E. Battsetseg Batmunkh, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia as Chair and Vice-Chairs:
- Mr. Zunaid Ahmed Palak, M.P., State Minister, Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology of Bangladesh;
- Mr. Ly Thuch, Senior Minister, President of the National Committee for ESCAP of Cambodia and First Vice President of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority;
- Ms. Lenora Qereqeretabua, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of Fiji;
- H.E. Arman Issetov, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Thailand and Permanent Representative to ESCAP;
- H.E. Chaminda Calonne, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Thailand and Permanent Representative to ESCAP; and
- Ms. Pinsuda Jayanama, Director-General for International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.
The Secretary chaired the session on the theme “Leveraging digital innovation for sustainable development,” which centered on the ESCAP Member States’ respective national progress and commitments to strengthening digital innovation to advance their implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
DICT Secretary Uy (right) delivering an intervention for the high-level thematic roundtable on “Digital innovations for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals” with DICT Undersecretary David Almirol (left)
Secretary Uy also participated in a high-level thematic roundtable on “Digital Innovations for Achieving the Sustainable Goals”. In his intervention, the Secretary highlighted the Philippine Government’s eGovPH App, which is a part of the Philippines’ commitment to harnessing digital technology for inclusive progress. He also shared that the eGovPH App has resulted in reduced paper waste and carbon emissions associated with bureaucratic transaction processes, as well as promotes eco-friendly practices and renewable energy solutions for a greener and more sustainable future.
For information on the 80th Commission Session, please visit https://www.unescap.org/events/commission80. END
