Bangladesh's visionary approach to lead world with 'Zero Digital Divide’

Bangladesh has taken a groundbreaking initiative named 'e-Quality Centre for Inclusive Innovation' to combat the global digital divide caused by the technological revolution across the globe, including Bangladesh, over the past three decades.

As the digital revolution has developed a digital divide contributing to overall inequalities apart from making human life simpler across the world, Bangladesh is leading a campaign titled 'Zero Digital Divide' envisioning a world with equal access of all digital opportunities to all.

Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with Aspire to Innovate (a2i) under the Cabinet Division and ICT Division supported by UNDP, is spearheading the establishment of the 'e-Quality Centre for Inclusive Innovation'.

This initiative, implemented with strategic partnerships with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Observer Research Foundation (ORF), and People-Centered Internet (PCI), aims to address and combat the global digital divide, BSS reports.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen officially launched the pioneering 'e-Quality Centre for Inclusive Innovation' initiative on September 25 during a high-level side event at the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York, said a2i officials.

The launch of the 'e-Quality Centre for Inclusive Innovation' signals a bold and significant stride towards a world where digital opportunities will be equally accessible to all, promising to make the 'Zero Digital Divide' a reality.

Before its formal inauguration, it first unfolded during a side event at the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) 2023 for Sustainable Development, where the centre's socialization occurred in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UN agencies and development partners.

Esteemed international experts discussed the potential of South-South Cooperation as the most efficient means to address the digital divide and promote global inclusivity. On September 9 this year, the a2i of the Cabinet Division and the ICT Division, supported by the UNDP, launched a global campaign, #ZeroDigitalDivide, aiming to eradicate digital inequality globally. This campaign is seen as a global initiative that boldly aims to narrow the digital gap and promote the global inclusion of digital services.

Elucidating the e-Quality centre's operational framework, a2i Project Director Md Mamunur Rashid Bhuiyan said, 'The e-Quality Centre strives to focus on marginalized communities, gender equality, disability inclusion, and support for the extremely poor as well as small businesses.
"Together, we commit to creating an inclusive digital world where technology opens doors for everyone, leaving no one behind," he added.
In pursuit of a world with 'Zero Digital Divide', Bhuiyan said, the centre has a clear roadmap to achieve the goal.