VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian Minister of Communication and Informatics Johnny G. Plate has proposed the upgrading of the Digital Economy Task Force to a digital economy working group, during a virtual G20 ministerial meeting on the digital sector. "We believe that the proposal to upgrade the status of the task force to a digital economy working group will strengthen the collaborative efforts of G20 member countries," he said in a statement on Thursday.

The working group is expected to become a coordination platform for streamlining the digital issues of other working groups under the G20 platform, Plate said.

“The existence of such a working group will help avoid possible duplication in other G20 sectors and generate stronger commitment, legitimacy and institutional arrangements for discussing digital issues," he added.

Plate announced the idea during a virtual meeting with the Italian Minister of Technology Innovation and Digital Transition, Vittorio Colao, on Wednesday.

The meeting’s discussions include the assessment, management and impact of the digital economy, as well as consumer awareness and protection, the use blockchain in the global value chain of consumer goods, and the protection and empowerment of children in the digital environment.

Issues regarding innovation for smart cities, social connectivity and inclusion, cross-border data flow and data flow with trust, digital tools for public services and business continuity, digital identity, and flexible regulations will also be discussed at the G20 meeting.

The meeting will produce the declaration of G20 digital ministers covering the priority issues of the Italian Presidency, including digital transformation for economic recovery, the safe use of artificial intelligence for MSME inclusiveness, and promoting startups.

Plate also praised the Italian Presidency of this year's G20, which accommodates Indonesia's ambitions for the G20 presidency in 2022. (Antaranews)