Set global digital standards to close gap between haves, have-nots: PM

Apec well placed to lead concerted effort needed to set such standards in next frontier of digitalisation, he adds

- Justin Ong

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) bloc should lead the charge to forge global digital standards that are crucial in tackling the widening gulf of opportunities between digital haves and havenots, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday.

The 21-member bloc, having facilitated and improved trade liberalization and investment across borders, is well placed to lead the coherent and concerted effort needed to set the standards as the world transitions to the next frontier of digitalisation, he added.

The goal is to have more people participate meaningfully in the digital economy, he said in a prerecorded speech streamed virtually at the Apec CEO Summit.

The annual business forum is taking place ahead of a meeting today of leaders from the Apec trade group, including United States President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

PM Lee noted that in establishing global digital standards, there are several areas to consider – from data access issues to misinformation risks – and several overlapping discussions on major platforms, be it at the World Economic Forum or the United Nations.

“It is useful to bring them together in a coherent manner,” he said.

He offered four guiding principles to shape a global digital architecture.