Laos speeds up digital transformation for sustainable development
Lao Minister of Technology and Communications Boviengkham Vongdara has highlighted the need for Laos to accelerate digital transformation in association with sustainable development.
Lao Minister of Technology and Communications Boviengkham Vongdara (L) at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)'s Digital World 2021. (Photo: //www.thestar.com.my/)
Vientiane (VNA) – Lao Minister of Technology and Communications Boviengkham Vongdara has highlighted the need for Laos to accelerate digital transformation inassociation with sustainable development.
Speaking at a ministerial-level roundtable discussion themed “Cutting the cost: Can affordable accessaccelerate digital transformation?” within the framework of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)'s Digital World 2021 organised by the Vietnamese Ministry ofInformation and Communications and the ITU from October 12-14, the Lao ministerspotlighted main issues related to prices and infrastructure, native content;digital skills and people's digital awareness.
He said the Lao Ministry of Technology and Communications is promoting theuse of local language and creation of digital contents by developing fonts and keyboards that support the Lao language for computers and mobile devices.
Boviengkham said that cutting the cost is only part of solutions to promotedigital transformation because main factors to speed up digital transformationare related to cooperation, the ecosystem, infrastructure, and digital literacy.
According to ITU data, over 90 percent of the urban population and over 70 percent of the rural population globally were covered by 4G, satellite or other technologies in 2020, but only 51 percent of the global population is using the Internet. Barriersto Internet access include affordability, digital inclusion, public awareness, and the lack of digitalcontent in native languages./.
The online ITU Digital World 2020, themed “Building the digital world. Together”, will take place from October 20 to 22, the Ministry of Information and Communications said on October 19.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Digital World 2021, a global digital conference and exhibition, will be held virtually from October 12-14, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC).
A ministerial-level roundtable discussion themed “Cutting the cost: Can affordable access accelerate digital transformation?” was held on October 12, within the framework of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)'s Digital World 2021.
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Lao Minister of Technology and Communications Boviengkham Vongdara (L) at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)'s Digital World 2021. (Photo: //www.thestar.com.my/) 
