KATHMANDU, May 22

Huawei and the ASEAN Foundation have jointly initiated Huawei APAC Digital Innovation Congress with a gathering of over 1,500 government officials, experts, researchers, etc. from over 10 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, to explore the future of digital innovation and economy.

They discussed on topics such as ongoing advancements in ICT, digital transformation across industries, along with green and low-carbon development.

Huawei's Rotating Chairman, Ken Hu said, "The Asia-Pacific region is one of the most culturally and economically vibrant regions in the world. It has long played an important role in global economic growth, and now plays an equally important role in digital innovation."

He further shared, "Moving forward, we will keep investing heavily in innovation to help our partners in the region meet their strategic development goals. In 2022, we will increase our support for a Green and Digital APAC by promoting digital infrastructure, low-carbon development, and digital inclusion."

Executive Director of the ASEAN Foundation, Yang Mee Eng said that this inclusive and resilient digital Asia-Pacific region was only possible with a strong digital talent team.

"The Huawei APAC Digital Innovation Congress 2022 marks another critical milestone in the ASEAN Foundation-Huawei partnership to continue creating a talent development-focused learning ecosystem that will help address the digital skills shortage in the region," she shared.

The discussions have led to strategies for promoting digital innovation and digital economy in the region which sees the potential of ever-increasing digital consumers.

Given that the ASEAN region is the third largest internet base with nearly 400 million internet users, ASEAN digital revenue is expected to hit US$363 billion by 2025, Satvinder Singh, Deputy Secretary-General for ASEAN Economic Community shared.

Dr H. Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, Indonesia's Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, speaking about how innovation has helped shape a Digital Indonesia shared, "Frontier technologies can become engines for recovery and revival. Customized, personalized, and localized Cleanliness, Health, and Safety & Environment Sustainability Protocols are likely to become essential for tourism and creative industries to pivot."

Similarly, Ministers from Malaysia, Bangladesh, as well, shared how digitalization applications have gained so much prominence, and can foster growth.