Indonesian Minister of Communication and Digital Attends International Digital Dialogue Conference 2024 in Berlin

Berlin, INTI – Indonesia’s Minister of Communication and Digital, Meutya Hafid, has completed an official visit to Germany to attend the International Digital Dialogue Conference (IDDC) 2024, held in Berlin on November 21–22, 2024. Her visit had two key objectives: to share Indonesia's perspectives and policies on digital transformation and to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Germany's Ministry of Digital and Transport to strengthen bilateral cooperation in digitalization.

Driving Digital Transformation with Inclusivity and Empowerment

In her speech at IDDC 2024, Meutya Hafid emphasized the importance of fundamental principles to guide global digital transformation efforts. According to Meutya, digital transformation is not merely about adopting advanced technologies but must be rooted in three essential pillars: inclusivity, empowerment, and trust.

"Digital transformation must be driven by fundamental principles such as inclusivity, empowerment, and trust. Therefore, the Indonesian government, particularly the Ministry of Communication and Digital, prioritizes reliable and affordable internet access for all citizens, creating a digital economy ecosystem that empowers communities, and enhancing media and digital literacy among the population," said Meutya Hafid in her address.

This statement underscores Indonesia's commitment to ensuring that all citizens have equal opportunities to access and benefit from digital technologies, ultimately improving their quality of life. Policies focusing on affordable internet access and equitable digital literacy remain at the forefront of Indonesia's efforts to build an inclusive and sustainable digital ecosystem.

Signing an MoU with Germany: Strengthening Digital Collaboration

A highlight of IDDC 2024 was the signing of an MoU between Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital and Germany's Ministry of Digital and Transport. This agreement is a continuation of the progress made during the Indonesian-German Digital Dialogue (IGDD) in 2023, which resulted in a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDoI) on Cooperation in Digitalization.

The MoU, signed by Meutya Hafid and Germany’s Minister of Digital and Transport, Volker Wissing, outlines six strategic areas of collaboration:

1. Digital policies and strategies
2. Data policies
3. Internet governance processes
4. Digital technologies
5. Sustainable digital transformation
6. Digital inclusion, including developing digital economic infrastructure and improving internet accessibility.

This partnership is expected to accelerate digital transformation in both nations, benefiting not only public sectors but also fostering a more inclusive and accessible digital economy ecosystem.

Bilateral Meeting with Japan: Addressing Global Digital Challenges

In addition to attending IDDC 2024, Meutya Hafid also held a bilateral meeting with Japan's Vice Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications, Takuo Imagawa. The meeting addressed critical issues related to digital transformation, including the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and cross-border collaboration to tackle the challenges posed by global digitalization.

During the discussion, Meutya Hafid stressed the importance of international cooperation in addressing increasingly complex digital challenges, particularly leveraging AI to support government and industry digital transformation efforts.

"Digital transformation is not just a challenge but also a tremendous opportunity. International collaboration is crucial, especially in AI, to create a safer, more productive, and more beneficial digital ecosystem for society," she said.

Indonesian Start-ups Shine at IDDC 2024: Strengthening Global Innovation Collaboration

Meutya Hafid also met with several Indonesian start-up innovators participating in IDDC 2024. During the discussion, she highlighted the significance of Indonesian start-ups joining international forums like IDDC as a pivotal step in showcasing Indonesia's digital innovation to the global stage.

"The participation of Indonesian start-ups in forums like this is an important step to introduce Indonesian innovation to international forums. I believe collaborations with international partners will further strengthen Indonesia's digital technology ecosystem," Meutya Hafid said.

Indonesian start-ups showcased significant progress in developing digital technologies, emphasizing the country's potential as a leading digital ecosystem in Southeast Asia.

The Role of International Collaboration in Global Digitalization

Concluding her visit to Germany, Meutya Hafid underlined that the rapid pace of digital development requires strong international collaboration. Digitalization transcends national borders, and challenges such as cybercrime, hacking, and cybersecurity have become global issues that no single country can address alone.

"My meetings with the German Minister of Digital and Transport and Japan's Vice Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications demonstrate how quickly digitalization is advancing across borders. Similarly, challenges like cybercrime are too large to tackle alone. Collaboration is key to ensuring digitalization provides maximum benefits for the Indonesian people while mitigating or eliminating potential risks," Meutya emphasized.

This visit also demonstrates Indonesia's commitment to strengthening its position as a global partner in digital transformation, focusing on the principles of inclusivity, empowerment, and trust.

Building an Inclusive and Sustainable Digital Ecosystem

Through ongoing international collaborations with countries such as Germany, Japan, and others, Indonesia continues to strengthen its foundation for digital transformation in sectors such as education, digital infrastructure, industry, and government. With policies supporting inclusivity and empowerment, Indonesia aspires to become a leader in sustainable digital transformation both in Southeast Asia and globally.

"We aim to ensure that Indonesia maximizes the benefits of digitalization by strengthening partnerships with global allies and seizing opportunities in this digital era," Meutya Hafid concluded.

With the strategic steps taken by the Indonesian government, the nation is well-positioned to accelerate digital transformation that positively impacts its economy, education, and socio-cultural sectors on a global scale.