Session
Roundtable
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: To enhance the attendees' active participation and engagement
The gains from digital transformation are currently unevenly distributed. As our world becomes increasingly digital and essential services shift to digital channels, not everyone has access to the benefits of digitalization. A significant portion of the global population and MSMEs remains offline and many of those who have access are not connected in a meaningful way that allows them to access digital services or participate in the digital economy because of a lack of digital literacy, subpar Internet connectivity, and a lack of relevant services, among other barriers.
The UPU’s global network of over 650,000 post offices is strategically positioned to reach unconnected and under-connected people and businesses, especially in rural and remote areas where a majority of post offices are located.
The UPU launched the CONNECT.POST initiative at the end of 2022 seeking to leverage digitally connected postal infrastructure to advance inclusive digital transformations and contribute to addressing these challenges. CONNECT.POST aims to achieve these goals by:
- Expanding high-speed internet access to all post offices and the communities they serve by 2030, extending connectivity to underserved areas
- Providing public access to digital services and skills training
- Supporting digital and in-person access to e-government, e-commerce, and digital financial services at post offices, ensuring inclusion for all
The online moderator will facilitate the interaction between onsite and online speakers and attendees. Online survey tools will be used to enhanced both onsite and online participation, e.g. Mentimeter
🔒Universal Postal Union
Juan Moroni, Digital Inclusion and Policy Expert, Universal Postal Union, Intergovernmental Organisation, WEOG, United Nations Tracy Hackshaw, Chef d'Entreprise, .POST, Universal Postal Union, Intergovernmental Organisation, Latin America & Caribbean, United Nations, Kevin Hernadez, Digital Inclusion Expert, Universal Postal Union, WEOG, Intergovernmental Organisation
- Rodney Taylor, Secretary General, Caribbean Telecommunications Union
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Nigel Cassimire, Deputy Secretary General, Caribbean Telecommunications Union
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Yu Ping Chan, Head, Digital Partnerships and Engagement, Executive Office, UNDP
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Kerry-Ann Barrett, Chief, Cybersecurity Section, Organization of American States
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Christian Rasmussen, Beyon Connect
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TBC, Saudi Post | SPL
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TBC, Internet Society
Tracy Hackshaw, Chef d'Entreprise, .POST, Universal Postal Union, Latin America & Caribbean
Kevin Hernndez, Digital Inclusion Expert, Universal Postal Union, Intergovernmental Organisation, United Nations (Moderator)
Kevin Hernadez, Digital Inclusion Expert, Universal Postal Union, WEOG, Intergovernmental Organisation
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
9.1
9.3
9.a
9.c
Targets: 9.1, Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient postal infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all 9.3, Increase the access of MSMEs, in particular in developing countries, to financial services, and their integration into value chains and markets through the postal network 9.a, Facilitate sustainable and resilient postal infrastructure development in developing countries through enhanced financial, technological and technical support to African countries, Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) 9.c, increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet in least developed countries through the postal network
Report
There is a gap in the UN narrative around connectivity. Currently there is too much emphasis placed on connecting people. However, not many actors are focusing on mitigating the risks of digital exclusion in the way that CONNECT.POST’s transforming post offices into one-stop shops does.
Participants emphasized their existing experiences of leveraging the postal network to improve the inclusivity of delivering digital services.
The importance of secure by design connectivity infrastructure and cyber hygiene training for staff was highlighted as something that must be taken into consideration when digitalizing the postal infrastructure.
Key stakeholders such as Internet Society, UNDP, OAS, CTU, IFLA and UPU emphasized the need to explore future collaborations on leveraging the postal infrastructure to promote digital inclusion.