Digital Identity for Trade and Development in ASEAN region

BACKGROUND

Since 2003, UNCTAD has been undertaking several activities jointly with the ASEAN Secretariat and with ASEAN member countries to assist them in the implementation of the ICT Masterplans 2015 and 2020, as well as the AEC blueprint 2025, which set specific measures to build a digitally enabled regional economy and encourage the development of electronic commerce.

E-commerce is indeed seen as a key component for ASEAN to realise its vision of a regionally integrated economy. However, like many developing countries, ASEAN member States are to some extent inadequately prepared to capture the many opportunities emerging as a result of e-commerce. Some of the key challenges in promoting e-commerce in the region include concerns on cybersecurity, lack of trust in online transactions, and lack of strong methods of authentication to tackle the fraud and underpin electronic transactions. There is also an increasing demand from the region to identify enabling policies and best practices that will accelerate the development of e-commerce.

The project 1819N of the Development Account Tranche 11 is designed to address challenges and demands in e-commerce development from ASEAN member countries. Some of ASEAN’s countries have made great progress in this sector, by adopting e-commerce laws and building national e-commerce ecosystems. For instance, Singapore is considered the leader in the region in this field. However, , ASEAN member countries are still facing challenges and looking at ways to strengthen the capabilities of e-commerce users and entrepreneurs’ to securely engage in e-commerce activities. By working with ASEAN member countries at different levels of development, this project also aims to enhancing knowledge on how policies and standards can facilitate cross-border e-commerce in the region.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the course is to identify and draft policies on digital identity related to trade and development. It includes defining:

• The limits of data protection and digital identity
• The scope of digital identity governance
• The risks and solutions related to digital identity

PROGRAMME OUTLINE

Each course module includes interactive assessments and links to communication tools for online interaction. Every module consists of video presentations, a participant manual, a forum, tests and case studies. Participants should spend between 4 to 5 hours per week to study the material and participate in the forums.
The 5 distance learning modules are:Each course module includes interactive assessments and links to communication tools for online interaction. Every module consists of video presentations, a participant manual, a forum, tests and case studies. Participants should spend between 4 to 5 hours per week to study the material and participate in the forums. The 5 distance learning modules are:

 

• Module 1: Fundamental Concepts of Digital Identity
• Module 2: Data Protection
• Module 3: DI Usage
• Module 4: Governance
• Module 5: DI Technology Solutions & Risks

The course will be conducted in TrainForTrade’s distance learning platform. In the platform, participants will have access to manuals, multimedia presentations, module exams, opinion surveys and forums created for each module for discussions with the instructor and other participants.

A 90-minute follow-up webinar will be organised at the end of the course. The topic will be defined during the assessment of the on-line sessions.

TARGET POPULATION

Primary target:

• Policy makers:
  • Ministry of Interior (national security and identification issues)
  • Ministry of Justice (legal issues)
  • Ministry of Finance
  • Financial regulator (National Bank)
  • Ministry of Trade/Commerce (usability)
  • Ministry of ICT
• Private sector:
  • Chamber of Commerce
  • Business Cluster (ICT, Fintech, etc.)
  • Entrepreneurs

Secondary target population:

• Authentication institution
• Postal services
• Financial institutions
• Telecom companies
• NGOs