Nomads in the Digital Age international conference held
EconomyUlaanbaatar /MONTSAME/. Supported by the Government of Mongolia, the University of Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Access Solutions LLC organized ‘Nomads in the Digital Age’ conference in Ulaanbaatar on September 17. The event brought together government, business, and civil society and international stakeholders to discuss the global agenda to use technology for better education and a more inclusive society. The conference was also attended by Prime Minster of Mongolia U.Khurelsukh and Ulaanbaatar city Mayor S.Amarsaikhan.
At the conference, a report and policy recommendation of the “Mongolia in a Digital Age” project implemented by the Government of Mongolia and the Pathways Commission were presented. The University of Oxford and “Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation” has initiated the project “Mongolia in the Digital Age” with support of the Government of Mongolia. It has been implemented by “Access Solutions LLC” since April 2019. The project aims to support policymakers in promoting sustainable development based on technological progress. Mongolia is one of three benchmark countries implementing the project.
At the conference, Head of the “Mongolia in a Digital Age” research project B.Bolor-Erdene delivered a report on the aforementioned project on the digital strategy development process and findings from a recently conducted digital readiness assessment, and draft national digital strategy. The work undertaken in Mongolia has provided feedback that has strengthened the Pathways Commission’s Digital Economy Kit, designed to support governments wanting to get their economies geared up for the digital age.
The Digital Economy Kit has been developed over more than a year using in-country pilots and expert consultation, and is based on ground breaking research and analysis from the Commission’s Charting Pathways for Inclusive Growth report. Mongolia is one of three countries adapting the kit to their country context. The other two countries are South Africa and Ethiopia. The kit is due to be published later this year when country level learning has been integrated.
The Governor of the capital city S.Amarsaikhan, while attending the panel discussion of the conference “Is Mongolia ready for digital transformation” along with Head of the Communications and Information Technology Authority B.Chinbat, Head of Economic council by the Prime Minister’s Office T.Khash-Erdene, Founder of And Global LLC and head of the board of directors “ICT” company G.Lkhamsuren, noted the importance of involvement of all citizens of Ulaanbaatar city in digital transformation activities. He also delivered update on the online public services provided to the residents of Ger dwelling areas of Ulaanbaatar city. For instance, the works to establish database on urban development of the city is underway and feasibility study to establish CCTV control system is already complete in order to improve infrastructure and ensure safety of the residents.
Furthermore, a message from Melinda Gates, co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation was conveyed at the conference and Stefan Dercon, Professor of Economic Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government delivered a presentation on Inclusive Development based at Blavatnik School of Government and how the countries should get its economies digital ready.