NEW YORK: Pakistan has called for a more inclusive and development-focused approach to digital transformation, stressing the need for stronger international cooperation to help developing countries benefit from technological innovation.
Speaking at the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Forum side event titled “Digital Innovation for Sustainable Development” at the United Nations, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said digital transformation was reshaping global development but its benefits remained unevenly distributed.
He noted that for many developing nations, the challenge extends beyond adopting technology to securing access to financing, skills, markets and supportive policy frameworks needed to translate innovation into development gains.
The event was co-hosted by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in partnership with the Digital Cooperation Organization and United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, with participation from private sector stakeholders and startup representatives.
Ambassador Asim highlighted three major priorities, including ensuring digital innovation supports job creation and inclusive growth, addressing structural gaps in access to technology and finance, and improving collaboration between governments, startups and the private sector.
He also outlined Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen its digital economy, noting that the country hosted the inaugural Digital Foreign Direct Investment Forum last year and became the first nation to implement all four pillars of the DFDI framework, mobilising $700 million in digital investment.
The envoy said Pakistan was expanding digital infrastructure through initiatives such as the Raast instant payment system while supporting startups through regulatory reforms and improved access to finance.
He further highlighted Pakistan’s Digital Nation Pakistan Act and National AI Policy, adding that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced plans to invest $1 billion in the AI sector by 2030.
