UNCTAD eWeek Forum in Geneva
4th - 8th December 2023 was marked by the UNCTAD eWeek Forum in Geneva, where SAPIE took part.
Thanks to the cooperation with the CIPE - Center for International Private Enterprise, we were present as panelists to share our work and activities at SAPIE. The session was focused on sharing our policy advocacy work and cooperation between private and public sectors.
Why is public-private cooperation important?
Globally, the digital revolution is changing society and economy. It is opening fresh possibilities for development, creativity, and employment generation. Certain nations and areas are falling behind regarding digital technology adoption and digital economy participation.
Bridging this digital divide can be greatly aided by public-private digital cooperation and trade integration. Governments and corporations can jointly establish an atmosphere that supports the advancement and application of digital technology.
Engagement with the public sector and other ecosystem players brings more diversity to the table leading to more comprehensive and effective policies. It also helps to identify and address systemic inequities that may disproportionately affect different groups. It also builds trust in the policymaking process. Lastly, policies developed through inclusive conversations are more likely to be successfully implemented because they take into account the practical realities and needs of diverse communities.
How could an ideal public-private cooperation look like?
Achieving an effective public-private collaboration relies on a strategic approach and some key principles, such as:
having aligned objectives and goals
open communication, regular information sharing
developing mutual trust, demonstrating of commitment and reliability to strengthen partnerships
establishing a clear and predictable regulatory framework that encourages collaboration and innovation
investing in building skills of public and private sector
raising awareness about the benefits of private-public collaboration
Challenges
Ensuring access to digital skills is crucial for thriving in the evolving job market, where an estimated 90% of jobs by 2030 will require such skills. To foster more effective collaboration between the private and public sectors, specific skills and attributes are required on both sides. Additionally, understanding what each sector needs from the other is crucial for a successful partnership. Having proper skillset, unfortunately, remains as one key challenge throughout different sectors and industries. There are also other crucial areas to focus on, such as raising awareness, facilitating access to finance which could support the public-private dialogue and effective implementation of policies.
Besides this specific panel, the conference was inspiring on other fronts as well. It brought different perspectives from different regions, valuable contacts and closed door events. The other sessions also touched upon different topics such as AI based on human rights, standards-led digital economy, protection of data privacy and digital rights and others.
Last, but not least, it was also great that SAPIE was listed among the session organizers of the conference alongside other organizations such as OECD, University of Oxford, or World Economic Forum.
