Regional Capacity-Building Workshop on Cross-Border Data Sharing for Digital Public Service Innovation
Background
Cross-border data sharing has become increasingly critical in the digital era, where data underpins economic growth, innovation, and effective governance. The ability to securely and efficiently exchange data across jurisdictions enables governments to improve public service delivery, strengthen evidence-based policymaking, and unlock new opportunities for economic cooperation.
Despite its importance, cross-border data sharing in the Asia-Pacific is hindered by divergent governance frameworks, interoperability issues, privacy and security concerns, and limited capacity to build secure infrastructures and common standards. Without practical mechanisms to address these challenges, the region risks missing out on the socio-economic opportunities that come with greater digital connectivity and shared access to information.
For the Asia-Pacific region, advancing cross-border data sharing is directly linked to the objectives of the Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway (APIS) initiative, which seeks to enhance digital connectivity, promote cooperation, and narrow digital divides. Within this framework, ESCAP, with support from the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) of the Republic of Korea, is implementing the pilot project “Advancing the Cross-Border Data Sharing Platform in Pilot Countries with a Focus on Digital Public Service,” carried out in close partnership with Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. The pilot demonstrates the practical value of cross-border data exchange by producing actionable insights to inform policy development and advance innovation in service delivery, in sectors such as tourism and legal services.
To showcase these efforts and to foster broader regional dialogue, ESCAP is convening this event as a platform for Member States and stakeholders. The discussion will highlight lessons from the pilot project, explore how data-driven cooperation can strengthen digital services, and promote scalable models for regional application. This event will serve to share experiences, build trust among stakeholders, and underline the importance of safe, secure, and mutually beneficial cross-border data sharing as a driver of inclusive digital transformation in the Asia-Pacific.
Objectives
To highlight the current challenges and opportunities in advancing cross-border data sharing in the Asia-Pacific region.
To present the results of “Advancing the Cross-Border Data Sharing Platform” project and demonstrate its potential benefits for digital services.
To explore strategies for building secure, interoperable, and inclusive frameworks that enable effective cross-border data exchange
To strengthen regional cooperation and collaboration in data sharing under the APIS framework.
Target Audience: international experts on data cooperation and related organizations, as well as data companies.
Speaker(s): delegations of participating member States, representatives of relevant international organizations, data experts, etc.
Language: English
Organizers:
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), the Republic of Korea
Contact person(s): Byung Jin Lee (Mr.), Expert on ICT at ICT and Development Section (IDS), ICT and Disaster Risk Reduction Division (IDD), ESCAP, E-mail: [email protected] with copy [email protected]
Registration: Participants, please register at: https://indico.un.org/event/1020701
Concept Note and Programme
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