The Maldives 2.0 - Digital Transformation Summit saw stakeholders discuss crucial changes needed to transform the present system as part of the efforts to digitize the entire country.
The summit, which was attended by various government agencies and companies, will take important decisions on digitalisation of the island nation.
The three day summit is attended by 200 delegates from various State agencies and institutions. Of these, 50 delegates represent the private sector. Estonian experts are also participating in the summit, sharing resources and knowledge on Estonia’s globally renowned digital system of governance.
As many as 10 key papers were presented during the summit, highlighting the work done by each participating agency at present along with the challenges they face. The summit also included panel discussions and a question and answer session on each of these papers.
Some of the sessions during the summit shared the Maldives 2.0’ or the government's digitalisation vision and its core principles. In addition, papers were presented on the extent to which the government has digitised various areas of service delivery to the people. These include the work done and planned in the health, education and finance sectors.
Additionally, agencies like the National Centre for Information Technology (NCIT) and the Department of National Registration (DNR) shared their work on digital and identity card processes. The National Cyber Security Agency also shared the key steps being implemented to ensure safety and security during the design of the entire system.
The summit was attended by Ministers of State, heads of companies and agencies. One of the leading agencies in this effort is the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology, which oversees the mandate of the technical sector. Speaking during the summit, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihsan described this initiative as a key policy of the government.
"The biggest change we will see is that this will no longer be optional. Everyone will have to participate. Services will have to be provided at this level. It is not optional,” he explained.
“I think we will see the shackled being broken and finally see a system that is people oriented. This system will be governed by law.”
Maldives 2.0 is the President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s national vision for digital transformation. The project aims to work together with all the institutions of the state to take the Maldives towards revolutionary digital transformation and reform. The project will be implemented over the next three years to bring to life the government's digital transformation policy. The project will make the government ‘smarter’, provide faster services, eliminate corruption, increase transparency.