25 September 2023, Dhaka:

Foreign Minister Dr. A. K. Abdul Momen, MP launched ‘e-Quality Centre for Inclusive Innovation’ today during a side event in the 78^th United Nations General Assembly. The side event titled as ‘Envisioning a world with Zero Digital Divide through e-Quality Centre for Inclusive Innovation’ has been organized jointly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a2i project of the ICT Division. Ministers and high officials from Gambia, Uganda, Ghana, Somalia, São Tomé and Príncipe and United Nations Secretariat, senior officials from the Bangladesh Permanent Mission to the United Nations and a2i were present in the inaugural ceremony.   

The goal of the e-Quality center is to eradicate the digital divide by leveraging South-South Cooperation. This flagship center proposed by Bangladesh will be working on the utilization of cutting-edge technology, research, and innovation to narrow this gap in Global South countries. Its approach encompasses global technology transfer, policy research, and financial support, all aiming to create a digital future where no one is excluded.

In his remarks Foreign Minister highlighted Bangladesh’s journey towards digital empowerment, inclusive growth, and evolution from ‘Digital Bangladesh’ to ‘Smart Bangladesh’. He also emphasized on the necessity of technology transfer, cooperation between the developing world, digital empowerment of all walks of society and the eradication of digital divide. He described the e-Quality center as an embodiment of Bangladesh’s aspirations and a symbol of its commitment to a world where technology is an equalizer, and progress is a collective endeavor. He also stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through its ICT and ITIT Wing has taken all measures necessary for fostering international collaborations, enabling the seamless integration of technology and innovation – so that the initiative becomes truly global in context and inclusive in nature. This Centre will facilitate robust partnerships, ushered in investments, and championed the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, playing a crucial role in realizing the vision for a digitally inclusive Bangladesh and a digital divide free humankind.

Technical and operational aspects of e-Quality center were presented during the side event. Ministers, High Officials, and representatives of various UN organizations provided their observations on the endeavor. They emphasized the necessity of inclusive distribution of technology, cooperation between the developed and developing countries and the challenges of the new digital reality. They also expressed hope that e-quality center will be instrumental soon. The winning Projects of International ICT Innovation (i3) Facility were awarded by the Foreign Minister.

State Minister for ICT, Mr. Zunaid Ahmed Palak, MP, gave closing remarks of the program. In line with the inaugural program held in the UN headquarters, a virtual session with the participants from the United Kingdom was also organized. Dr. Syed Muntasir Mamun, Director General (ITIT/ICT) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other officers from the ITIT/ICT Wing attended the session. The side event and inaugural ceremony ended successfully with participation from both home and abroad.