Codessd Takes Its Digital Innovation Agenda to the UN
At the UN, Codessd warned that Latin America must not become a mere supplier of data in the digital economy. What achievements did it present?
Key points
- The Global Digital Economy Forum was held at UN headquarters in New York.
- Peter Read, Codessd executive vice president, spoke of a "stellar moment" for the region in the face of AI.
- According to Codessd, the Digital Agenda 2030, with government response times cut by more than 45%, and the National AI Strategy were highlighted.
The Santo Domingo Economic and Social Development Council (Codessd) reported that, together with the Presidential Mission for Latin America and the Caribbean, it held the Global Digital Economy Forum at United Nations headquarters in New York. According to the entity, the event brought together international figures, including Alan Dong, president of the World Governance and Strategic Cooperation Organization (WGSC); Olinda Salguero, vice president of the Presidential Mission for Latin America and the Caribbean; and former presidents Jamil Mahuad of Ecuador and Jorge Quiroga Ramírez (Tuto Quiroga) of Bolivia.
During his remarks, Peter Read, Codessd executive vice president, said Latin America is facing a "stellar moment" in the transformative impact of artificial intelligence. He warned that the region must not repeat its history as a supplier of raw materials and, in the algorithmic economy, end up as digital colonies that hand over their data and then consume services designed by others.
In that context, Read mentioned progress in the Dominican Republic according to the Codessd press release. He cited the Digital Agenda 2030 and its Zero Bureaucracy program, which has cut government response times by more than 45% and delivered efficiency gains above 1% of GDP. He also referred to the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, presented as an initiative to make the country a regional reference in the ethical development of AI, and to the deployment of 5G networks and submarine cables aimed at linking innovation with training for young people and small and medium-sized businesses.
Codessd and the Presidential Mission stressed that technological development only makes sense if it builds social cohesion, so digital transformation must reach neighborhoods, young people and local productive sectors in practical ways. They also urged the region to negotiate at the global table from its strategic strengths and to pursue smart cooperation with leading partners in digital economy and advanced infrastructure, such as China, to learn from their acceleration models without compromising sovereignty or regional identity.
Why it matters
If these plans take hold, Dominicans could see faster government procedures and more technology training opportunities for young people and small businesses.