ALE supports APAC Government Experience Day 2021

The Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise APAC Government Experience Day 2021 provided an opportunity for distinguished government leaders from the region and ALE executives to exchange ideas and discuss collective efforts to chart a digitally-led economic recovery.

Singapore, April 19, 2021 – Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise, a leading provider of communications, networking and cloud solutions tailored to customers’ industries, concluded its inaugural Asia Pacific (APAC) Government Experience Day 2021 — a virtual event that outlines the role of digital transformation on the roadmap to economic recovery.

“The recent global health crisis has unexpectedly accelerated all things digital. To move toward an inclusive digital future, countries will need digital support and alignment from the top down, to better engage and move forward. Smart cities are not built in a day and long-term support, inter-agency collaboration, and knowledge-sharing are essential to form the foundation for a digital future,” said Pierre Samson, Senior Vice President APAC, Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise.

The landmark challenges created by the crisis have created a window of opportunity for businesses and government leaders to reconsider the core fundamental needs of the region. With government priorities inevitably shifting due to the health crisis, innovation has risen to the top of the development agenda.

While digital technologies have been the backbone of managing the challenges, it is essential that our  health crisis recovery include those without access to the foundations of the digital economy. As such, countries are now challenged with establishing digital policies to close the gap in education, healthcare, labour and social protection. They must also maintain resilience, sustainability, and keep inclusion top-of-mind to ensure no one is left behind.

Jonathan Wong, Chief of Technology and Innovation, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), commented at the event, “An accelerated digital transformation has been a defining feature of the crisis — with economies and societies digitising at an unimaginable pace. By enabling e-commerce, education, and social support, digital innovation has provided a lifeline to billions during the health crisis. However, inclusivity must be a cornerstone of this digital transformation. Through pursuing last mile connectivity, digital skills for all, as well as inclusive digital financing and e-commerce, we must ensure that we leave no one behind, in order to truly realise the full transformative potential of digital technology.”

The APAC Government Experience Day 2021 event also included an open panel discussion featuring distinguished government leaders from across the APAC region, sharing their experiences in charting a path toward a digitally-driven, inclusive, and sustainable recovery.

The panel of speakers also included Dr. Zoran Bolevich, Chief Executive of New South Wales eHealth Australia; Abhishek Singh, CEO of National e-Governance Division (NeGD), Government of India; Sau Sheong Chang, CEO of SP Digital Singapore; and Dirk Dumortier, Head of Business Development Smart City and Healthcare, ALE APAC.