International experts have advised Vietnam to use information and communication technology (ICT) to improve the accessibility to public sector information and services for citizens, businesses and government entities.
International experts at the Vietnam Internet Forum 2019 in Hanoi. Photo: VIF
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The event marked the attendance of Ambassador of Sweden to Vietnam Pereric Högberg, World Bank’s Digital Lead Samia Melhem, UNDP Resident Representative Caitlin Wiesen, Innovation Officer at UNDP Sean O’Connell, Director of Division of Freedom of Expression and Media Development, UNESCO Headquarters Guy Berger, Chief of UNICEF’s Programme Partnerships Marianne Oehlers, Program Director at School of Journalism, Lund University Andreas Mattsson, DAKA Advisory’s Managing Director Kim Andreasson, and executives from Ericsson, Microsoft, ABB, among others.
The experts addressed the current state of digital government in Vietnam, saying it enables the country to allow the accessibility and there remains opportunities for further development, including the potential for leveraging open government data (OGD) and cloud computing.
The use of e-government is a way to support development and improve people’s well-being, helping authorities to understand their areas of strengths and challenges as well as consider suggested options on how best to move ahead.
How to measure e-government development?
E-government development is measured through the United Nations E-Government Development Index (EGDI) consisting of three components weighted in equal manner, namely (i) Online Service Index (OSI): measures the online presence of government and the services provided to citizens online, (ii) Telecommunication Infrastructure Index (TII): measures through several indicators the infrastructure through which citizens can have access to the government online services, and (iii) Human Capital Index (HCI): measures the educational base of citizens that will allow them to access the government services online.
Measured by the EGDI as one of globally leading countries, Sweden has improved service delivery to constituents while creating economic efficiencies and creating jobs in the digital economy sector.
Why Vietnam should boost ICT application?
Ambassador of Sweden to Vietnam Pereric Högberg at the VIF19. Photo: VIF19
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As such, Vietnam, one of the first countries in Southeast Asia to introduce Internet, has upgraded digital infrastructure with broadband available in every corner of the country, linking all parts of the society including the government, scientists, IT engineers, entrepreneurs, and others.
The connection makes public government data more accessible to the people, making the governance more transparent with better liability, Pereric Högberg said, adding that the connection also enables better cooperation among state agencies and organizations.
The ambassador stated the importance of creativeness, saying that it inspires the economic development and helps us overcome various challenges that threaten the environment sustainability and other issues.
Creativeness and openness are palpable if people are encouraged to address free expression, feel curious about new fields, and desire to find the truth and new things, the ambassador said.
For a better society, an increase in dialogue based on common channels between the government and the people is necessary and ICT would make the issue better resolved, Pereric Högberg noted.
