Our team was invited to attend the annual World Bank’s Global Digital Summit at Washington, DC, where Ministers, regulators and key industry stakeholders met to discuss the challenges facing developing nations and advance existing and potential World Bank initiatives in the digital space.
Open sessions focused on key themes including the importance of AI as an accelerator; using digital technology to mitigate the risks of climate change; promoting digital public infrastructure, identity & services and digital pathways to new jobs; establishing resilient networks in cities and villages; closing the digital divide; and, the role of public and private financial institutions in making that happen.
Alongside these open sessions ran diverse, packed agenda where Presidents, Ministers and their advisors held frank discussions and shared their successes and frustrations openly. Selected vendors offering relevant innovative digital technologies showcased their solutions. Everything contributed to creating new relationships and approaches with the end goal of connecting almost three billion people who have never used the Internet.
As was the case at last year’s event, Salience held discussions with old and new colleagues from our engagements across Latin America, Africa, Asia and Europe. It was an ideal opportunity for Salience to bring progress to its current projects and share its expertise in the resolution of these digital challenges. We came away with significant lessons learned for new infrastructure initiatives and policy reforms for creating digital pathways for all.
Many thanks to The World Bank and the delegations for making this a special event once again.