The government has called upon the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) countries to work together to address disparities in access to digital technology within and among countries.

Kazi Nabil Ahmed, MP, chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, made the call in a two-day regional consultation on Global Digital Compact (GDC) that began yesterday at Hotel Intercontinental in Dhaka.
Speaking as the chief guest at the opening of the regional consultation, Kazi Nabil Ahmed highlighted the importance attached to GDC by Bangladesh in the context of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s vision for a “Smart Bangladesh”.

He underscored the need for enhanced access to digital infrastructures and economy by fostering inclusivity and innovation toward leaving no one behind. He urged BIMSTEC member states to work together on addressing disparities in access to digital technology within and among countries.
The event, which will conclude on Sunday, aims to identify and promote shared objectives and relevant priorities towards facilitating a unified voice in the ongoing negotiations on GDC at the UN in New York.
The consultation involves relevant government officials/experts from BIMSTEC member states as well as representatives from UN-ESCAP and BIMSTEC secretariat.

Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey, secretary general of BIMSTEC, stressed the need for collaboration among member states for promoting an open, safe and inclusive digital landscape.
He emphasised that GDC should help better understand the challenges that countries face in dealing with emerging technologies, digital economy, and cyber security, etc.
Ambassador Abdul Motaleb Sarker, director general (SAARC & BIMSTEC) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, outlined some areas of mutual interest within GDC for BIMSTEC member states.
Syed Mohammad Kamal, vice president of Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS), expressed hope that the consultation would find ways to ensure an inclusive, safe and equitable future and drive innovation within the ICT industry through the active participation of the private sector and other stakeholders.