12 Actions to accelerate digital transition: the G20 Digital Ministers' joint Declaration

modern conference room with screens and seats for the ministers

On August 5th 2021, the G20 Ministerial Meeting on digitalization was held in Trieste, Italy, chaired by the Italian Ministers for Economic Development Giancarlo Giorgetti and the Minister for Technological Innovation and Digital Transition Vittorio Colao. The Undersecretary of State for Economic Development Anna Ascani also attended the meeting, which is part of the Agenda of activities of the Italian Presidency of the G20.

The Italian Presidency of the G20 focuses on the topic of digital transformation as a fundamental tool towards sustainable economic growth, with a particular attention for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, social inclusion, governance, and the development and application of innovative technologies.

During the meeting the Ministers signed a Declaration identifying 12 key actions necessary to accelerate digital transition:

Digital Transformation in Production for Sustainable Growth
Leveraging Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence for MSME Inclusiveness and Promotion of Startups
Measurement, Practice and Impact of the Digital Economy
Consumers Awareness and Protection in the Global Digital Economy
Child Protection and Empowerment in the Digital Environment
Encourage Innovation for Smart Cities and Communities
Connectivity and Social Inclusion
Data Free Flow with Trust and Cross-border Data Flows
Digital Tools for Public Services
Digital identity
Agile Regulation
Transformation of the task force into a permanent Working Group

The 12 key actions include a strong focus on digital skills, and explicitly mention supporting the upskilling and re-skilling of the workforce in both the private and public sector.
More specifically, in relation to the improvement of digital public services (Digital Tools for Public Services), the focus should be on upskilling civil servants, to pursue and ensure the quality, diffusion and accessibility of digital public services.

Another interesting point regards the topic of “Leveraging Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence for MSME Inclusiveness and Promotion of Startups”, where the attention is on the private sector, and the goal is to enhance the capability of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to use data, access finance, share opportunities, and build a talented and skilled workforce.