Developed nations urged expand Internet

China, the US and other developed countries must work to ensure that less developed countries have Internet access to help wipe out poverty, said Dr. Patrick Ho, deputy chairman and secretary-general of the China Energy Fund Committee.

"China has recognized that the Internet has and will continue to have a profound effect on society," said Ho. "It is imperative that China and the US and other developed countries work together to spread Internet connectivity in less developed countries to help eradicate poverty."

Ho's committee and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Internet Society and the China Association of Science and Technology on Monday sponsored a forum on Internet Economies: Opportunities and Challenges at the UN in New York.

The Internet or digital economy is credited with empowering and connecting participants on an unprecedented global scale. E-commerce and mobile applications are allowing businesses and consumers to connecting in a way that is not only expanding innovation, but is also disrupting long-established commercial applications. Prime examples include Alibaba in China and Amazon in the US and Uber (US) and Didi Quaibi (China), which are altering retailing and ride-hailing services.

"The challenge of achieving universal and affordable Internet access is complex," acknowledged Malcolm Johnson, deputy secretary-general of the ITU.

The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes that information and communications technology (ICT) and global interconnectedness have great potential to accelerate human progress. In Sustainable Development Goal 9, world leaders call for providing universal and affordable access to the internet in least developed countries by 2020.

"The Internet is a global people-centered platform that builds economies. We must focus on those who are not yet connected," said Kathy Brown, president of the Internet Society.

Digital accessibility still eludes about 4 billion people in developing countries, according to the UN. Mobile applications such as banking with a smartphone offer promise to countries that lack infrastructure. However, as the mobility spreads to more devices, developing countries remain at risk of falling further behind in the digital revolution, said Omer Fatih Sayan, president of the Information and Communication Technologies Authority of Turkey.

"Widespread use of ICT will create new businesses, offer a bridge between urban and rural residents and produce an informed and connected public," said Ho.

Ho said that when human rights are considered in connection with the Internet, human responsibilities also must be considered, noting that online anonymity can inspire free expression of thought but also produce cyber bullying and the threat of violence.

"We have not formulated a framework of etiquette yet," he said.

paulwelitzkin@chinadailyusa.com