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The 23rd Indian Ocean Rim Association Council of Ministers Meeting convened recently, offering a crucial platform to address the challenges that have hindered the progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
In his address, Dr Malik Bin Osman, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Second Minister for Education of Singapore, underscored the urgency of the collective mission and the need to rethink their approach in the face of mounting crises. The Minister highlighted some key areas where concerted efforts are imperative for redirecting the trajectory towards sustainable development.
Over the last few decades, its manifestations, such as rapid sea-level rise and the warming of oceans, have accelerated. The Indian Ocean, in particular, has witnessed alarming warming trends since the 1950s, as emphasised by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in 2021.
This phenomenon is of great concern, especially for small island developing states like Singapore, as well as for those whose lives and livelihoods depend on the well-being of the oceans. Urgent measures to address climate change are imperative to safeguard their shared future.
Amid the tumultuous challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the global community found a beacon of hope in the transformative power of digitalisation. The pandemic served as an emphatic reminder of the immense benefits that digital technologies bring to the fore.
From enabling remote work and online education to providing innovative healthcare solutions, the role of digitalisation in sustaining development has never been more evident. However, the true measure of the nation’s success in harnessing this digital revolution lies in ensuring that these benefits are accessible to all members of society, leaving no one behind in the pursuit of sustainable development.
Dr Malik recognised the importance of digital inclusivity and the imperative to bridge the digital divide. In response, he voiced his resounding support for the development of a comprehensive Global Digital Compact. This visionary compact isn’t just another technological endeavour; it’s a commitment to prioritise digital inclusion, ensure accessibility to critical resources, promote innovation, and foster interoperability among digital systems.
At the heart of this compact is the principle that digitalisation should be a driving force for sustainable development, but it should also be a force that uplifts everyone, regardless of their circumstances. It’s not enough to have advanced digital infrastructure if entire segments of society are left without access to it. Therefore, digital inclusion becomes paramount, addressing the disparities that have been accentuated by the pandemic.
The Global Digital Compact seeks to ensure that these transformative advantages are distributed equitably. It encourages governments, businesses, and civil society to collaborate in bridging the digital divide, bringing technology to marginalised communities, and providing the necessary training and support for digital literacy. This is essential to ensure that the benefits of digitalisation are not confined to urban areas but extend to rural and underserved regions as well.
Further, international cooperation and a rules-based multilateral system are essential to creating a favourable environment for sustainable development. The adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015 exemplified how multilateralism can effectively address new challenges, particularly when there is political will and collective commitment.
The nation has actively convened sustainability-focused events, shared its experiences with fellow developing countries through the Singapore Cooperation Programme, and launched the Sustainability Action Package, aimed at building capacity in various critical areas such as adaptation and mitigation strategies, carbon markets, and green finance.
