Report of CICC Conference on National Digital Policies and Projects in the New Normal Era

Holding time

Dec. 9, 2021

Holding place

Zoom Webinar

Holding result

In a global society including Japan, we are facing the challenge of transforming ourselves into a new social economy that makes full use of digital technology during COCID-19 pandemic. In Asian countries, IT policies and projects for the new normal are being promoted. In order to mutually understand its developments and to share such IT expertise among Asian countries, CICC held a conference on "National Digital Policies and Projects in the New Normal Era" on December 9, 2021, connecting 9 countries online.

In addition to Japan, 6 South East Asian countries (Brunei, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam) and 2 South Asian countries (Nepal and Sri Lanka) participated and those IT-related government key persons gave presentations on their initiatives. We would like to express our gratitude to the participants of this conference, as well as to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), ASEAN-JAPAN CENTRE, Institute of Digital Government, Waseda University and JKA for their support. This conference is subsidized by JKA through its promotion funds from KEIRIN RACE.

At the conference, followed by an opening address by CICC President Takashi Niino (President and　Vice Chairman of the Board of NEC Corporation), Ms. Reiko Kojima, Deputy Director read up a salutation speech on behalf of Mr. Kazumi Nishikawa, Director, IT Industry Division, Commerce and Information Policy Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).

As the keynote speech　titled "Cybersecurity Policy in Japan", Ms. Mika Nishimura, Deputy Director, Cybersecurity Division, Commerce and Information Policy Bureau, METI introduced Japan's cyber security policy and the efforts of the METI.

As the main event of this webinar, delegates from 8 Asian countries respectively gave us their presentations pertaining to current status of IT policies and flagship projects in the new normal era and introduced the socio-economic digitalization policies and projects for the With Corona and Post Corona worlds. We had a meaningful exchange of information and opinions with the participants on the current status and initiatives in each country.

As we had restrictions on travel from overseas due to COVID-19 pandemic this year, as it was last year, we successfully completed this conference with simultaneous connection in 9 countries, thanks to great effort from each dignitary. We would like to thank all the speakers once again for making this conference a valuable opportunity to exchange information on IT policies timely. CICC shall continue to enhance cooperative relationship with Asian countries.

Please see below the agenda and presentation slides.

13:00 - 13:40
Opening Address
　Mr. Takashi Niino
　President of Center of the International Cooperation for
　Computerization (CICC)
　(Vice Chairman of the Board of NEC Corporation)

Guest Speech
　Ms. Reiko Kojima
　Deputy Director, IT Industry Division
　Commerce and Information Policy Bureau
　Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan

Keynote Speech on Cybersecurity Policies in Japan
　Ms. Mika Nishimura
　Deputy Director, Cybersecurity Division
　Commerce and Information Policy Bureau　
　Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan

13:40 - 16:45
IT Policies and IT Projects in in the New Normal Era
in South East Asian and South Asian Countries

Brunei
　Mr. Koh Chun Hock
　Chief Digitalisation Officer
　E-Government National Centre
　Prime Minister’s Office

Cambodia
　Mr. Mao Neang
　Director General of ICT
　Ministry of Post and Telecommunications

Lao PDR
　Ms. Charuda Lunaglath
　Director
　Policy, Planning and Cooperation Division
　E-Government Center
　Ministry of Technology and Communications

Malaysia
　Dr. Norida binti Ramly
　Subject Matter Expert in ICT Strategic Management & Senior Principal Assistant Director
　Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit

Nepal
　Mr. Prem Sharan Shrestha
　Director General
　Department of Information Technology
　Ministry of Science and Technology

Sri Lanka
　Mr. Oshada Senanayake
　Chairman
　Information and Communication Technology Agency
　Ministry of Technology

Thailand
　Dr. Pathomdanai Ponjan, PhD.
　Senior Plan and Policy Analyst
　Policy and Strategy Bureau
　Ministry of Digital Economy and Society
＊This presentation includes DRAFTs which are still subject to revision by MDES.

Vietnam
　Mr. Nguyen Thanh Nam
　Official of Authority Office
　Authority of Information Technology Application
　Ministry of Information and Communications

16:45 - 16:50
Closing Address
　Mr. Koichiro Urabe
　Executive Director
　Center of the International Cooperation
　for Computerization (CICC)