DAKSHIN – Global South Centre of Excellence at the Research and Information System for Developing Countries @RIS_NewDelhi, in collaboration with the NEST Division (New, Emerging & Strategic Technologies Division), Ministry of External Affairs @MEAIndia, Government of India, is organising a webinar in hybrid mode on “Digital Public Infrastructure: Assessing the Challenges and Priorities of Global South.”
The webinar aims to initiate a structured assessment of the digital needs and priorities of developing countries, with particular emphasis on identifying their technical assistance requirements and exploring opportunities for tailor-made cooperation. It will also provide a platform for sharing good practices and experiences from countries of the Global South in Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), in line with DAKSHIN’s mandate to facilitate knowledge sharing and capacity building.
📅 Thursday, 24 September 2026
🕘 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm IST
📍 G Parthasarathi Conference Hall, RIS, New Delhi
Please register to join the webinar virtually: shorturl.at/bjoOH
#DigitalPublicInfrastructure #GlobalSouth #DPI #SouthSouthCooperation #DevelopmentCooperation #DAKSHIN #RIS
@dpa_mea | @SudhakarDalela | @aparnaray_ifs | @SKSharma_World | @RajanRatna | @cmec_ris | @AIC_aseanindia | @fitm14 | @fisd19 | @forum_blue | @FIDC_NewDelhi | @psbirthal | @TheAtulKaushik | @Prabir_India | @sujeetsamaddar | @pdash76 | @PV_Chat | @sabya_saha | @AmitK_PhD | @susheco | @GaurPankhuri | @amitdasvaranasi | @monika_koc56097
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Dr Sadre Alam, Joint Secretary – NEST (New, Emerging & Strategic Technologies) Division, @MEAIndia, in his special remarks reaffirmed India’s readiness to support the digital transformation journeys of Global South partners through needs-based, mutually trusted partnerships. He emphasised DPI as a global public good grounded in openness, inclusiveness and interoperability, with cooperation shaped by country-specific contexts and priorities. He highlighted the importance of translating shared experiences into practical cooperation towards a more connected and inclusive global digital society.
#DigitalPublicInfrastructure #GlobalSouth #DPI #SouthSouthCooperation #SSC #DevelopmentCooperation #DAKSHIN #RIS
@MEAIndia @dpa_mea @SudhakarDalela @SKSharma_World @RIS_NewDelhi @RajanRatna @cmec_ris @AIC_aseanindia @fitm14 @fisd19 @forum_blue @FIDC_NewDelhi @psbirthal @TheAtulKaushik @Prabir_India @sujeetsamaddar @pdash76 @PV_Chat @sabya_saha @AmitK_PhD @susheco @GaurPankhuri @amitdasvaranasi @monika_koc56097
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Dr Amit Das @amitdasvaranasi, Advisor – Digital, DAKSHIN – Global South Centre of Excellence, @RIS_NewDelhi highlighted India’s experience with Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), emphasising its scale, inclusiveness and open architecture. He identified opportunities for collaboration through sharing experiences on digital identity, interoperable payments, consent-based data systems, open networks and language inclusion. He underscored the importance of such partnerships in supporting the development of trusted, inclusive and technology-driven digital ecosystems.
#DigitalPublicInfrastructure #GlobalSouth #DPI #SouthSouthCooperation #SSC #DevelopmentCooperation #DAKSHIN #RIS
@MEAIndia @dpa_mea @SudhakarDalela @SKSharma_World @RajanRatna @cmec_ris @AIC_aseanindia @fitm14 @fisd19 @forum_blue @FIDC_NewDelhi @psbirthal @TheAtulKaushik @Prabir_India @sujeetsamaddar @pdash76 @PV_Chat @sabya_saha @AmitK_PhD @susheco @GaurPankhuri @monika_koc56097
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Mr Sarthak Satapathy @sarthak_satp @GIS_Impact, Senior Fellow, Global Innovation Square: A Raisina-ORF Initiative in his remarks highlighted the emerging frontier of DPI 2.0, where digital infrastructure and AI can move beyond inclusion to unlock wider economic opportunities. Citing emerging applications across India, Africa and the Pacific Islands in areas such as smallholder agriculture, MSME employment, language and voice AI, and public services. He underscored the potential for DPI-enabled solutions to deliver greater impact. He emphasised that partnerships among the public sector, private sector and civil society, supported by continuous capacity building and technical assistance, are essential to pushing such innovations from pilots to scale.
#DigitalPublicInfrastructure #GlobalSouth #DPI #SouthSouthCooperation #SSC #DevelopmentCooperation #DAKSHIN #RIS
@MEAIndia @dpa_mea @SudhakarDalela @SKSharma_World @RIS_NewDelhi @RajanRatna @cmec_ris @AIC_aseanindia @fitm14 @fisd19 @forum_blue @FIDC_NewDelhi @psbirthal @TheAtulKaushik @Prabir_India @sujeetsamaddar @pdash76 @PV_Chat @sabya_saha @AmitK_PhD @susheco @GaurPankhuri @amitdasvaranasi @monika_koc56097
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Dr Witada Anukoonwattaka, Economic Affairs Officer, @UNESCAP, Bangkok in her remarks emphasised the importance of moving from nationally focused DPI systems towards cross-border connectivity, particularly to lower remittance and trade costs and expand opportunities for small firms. Drawing on ESCAP’s research across Asia-Pacific and Africa, she highlighted regulatory complexity and divergence, as well as rules governing data, payments and ICT products, as key areas for cooperation. She called for greater use of international frameworks and partnerships to build interoperable, efficient and connected DPI ecosystems.
#DigitalPublicInfrastructure #GlobalSouth #DPI #SouthSouthCooperation #SSC #DevelopmentCooperation #DAKSHIN #RIS
@MEAIndia @dpa_mea @SudhakarDalela @SKSharma_World @RIS_NewDelhi @RajanRatna @cmec_ris @AIC_aseanindia @fitm14 @fisd19 @forum_blue @FIDC_NewDelhi @psbirthal @TheAtulKaushik @Prabir_India @sujeetsamaddar @pdash76 @PV_Chat @sabya_saha @AmitK_PhD @susheco @GaurPankhuri @amitdasvaranasi @monika_koc56097
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Mr Michael Owuor, Research Fellow, The Global Centre for Policy and Strategy @GLOCEPS1, Kenya highlighted Kenya’s hybrid public–private DPI ecosystem, anchored by digital identity, M-Pesa and e-Citizen, with digital platforms increasingly supporting financial services, social protection and public service delivery. He identified opportunities to further strengthen rural digital access, cybersecurity, digital skills and interoperability across public and private systems. He emphasised the importance of public–private co-partnerships, implementation collaboration, research and mutual learning to build sustainable and inclusive DPI solutions.
#DigitalPublicInfrastructure #GlobalSouth #DPI #SouthSouthCooperation #SSC #DevelopmentCooperation #DAKSHIN #RIS
@MEAIndia @dpa_mea @SudhakarDalela @SKSharma_World @RIS_NewDelhi @RajanRatna @cmec_ris @AIC_aseanindia @fitm14 @fisd19 @forum_blue @FIDC_NewDelhi @psbirthal @TheAtulKaushik @Prabir_India @sujeetsamaddar @pdash76 @PV_Chat @sabya_saha @AmitK_PhD @susheco @GaurPankhuri @amitdasvaranasi @monika_koc56097
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Dr Franck Arnaud Ndorukwigira, Head of Digital Governance, Artificial Intelligence, and Technology; Centre For Development and Enterprises Great Lakes (CDE), Burundi @ForEnterprises highlighted Burundi’s progress in fibre connectivity, digital payments, digital identity, healthcare platforms and emerging frameworks for data protection and cybersecurity, while emphasising the need to make connectivity more affordable, accessible and resilient. Drawing on Burundi’s experience, he outlined five priorities: secure and interoperable digital identity, affordable interoperable payments, secure data exchange, universal and usable connectivity, and electricity and digital skills as essential foundations for the digital economy. He highlighted the potential of India–Africa partnerships to advance these priorities through skills development, open standards, interoperability and opportunities for innovation to circulate across the Global South.
#DigitalPublicInfrastructure #GlobalSouth #DPI #SouthSouthCooperation #SSC #DevelopmentCooperation #DAKSHIN #RIS
@MEAIndia @dpa_mea @SudhakarDalela @SKSharma_World @RIS_NewDelhi @RajanRatna @cmec_ris @AIC_aseanindia @fitm14 @fisd19 @forum_blue @FIDC_NewDelhi @psbirthal @TheAtulKaushik @Prabir_India @sujeetsamaddar @pdash76 @PV_Chat @sabya_saha @AmitK_PhD @susheco @GaurPankhuri @amitdasvaranasi @monika_koc56097
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Professor John Huston Stanfield, Director, Advanced Study of African Renaissance Policies Ideas (ASARPI), Mauritius called for stronger public–private synchronisation in digital infrastructure and greater research on African digital technology entrepreneurs and owners, including their participation in shaping the continent’s digital future. He highlighted two priorities: ensuring African inclusivity in digital research, infrastructure, manufacturing and ownership, and recognising indigenous knowledge and practices in the design, implementation and evaluation of AI and other digital technologies. He emphasised that deeper cultural understanding and collaborative partnerships can help build more inclusive and locally grounded digital ecosystems across Africa and the Global South.
#DigitalPublicInfrastructure #GlobalSouth #DPI #SouthSouthCooperation #SSC #DevelopmentCooperation #DAKSHIN #RIS
@MEAIndia @dpa_mea @SudhakarDalela @SKSharma_World @RIS_NewDelhi @RajanRatna @cmec_ris @AIC_aseanindia @fitm14 @fisd19 @forum_blue @FIDC_NewDelhi @psbirthal @TheAtulKaushik @Prabir_India @sujeetsamaddar @pdash76 @PV_Chat @sabya_saha @AmitK_PhD @susheco @GaurPankhuri @amitdasvaranasi @monika_koc56097
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Mr Jibril Barry, Head of IT & Communication, Stat View International, Republic of Guinea highlighted Guinea's progress in digital transformation, including public-service digitalisation, a national data centre, modernised payment infrastructure and ongoing work on e-services and interoperability, while emphasising the need to connect these building blocks and ensure their effective use. He identified reliable and affordable electricity and internet, urban–rural access, digital literacy and skills, trust, and interoperability as key areas that require further strengthening. He outlined opportunities for South-South cooperation through national assessments of citizen use, practical learning on digital identity, adaptation of India’s DPI experience and multilingual solutions such as Bhashini, alongside targeted capacity building and territorial pilots.
#DigitalPublicInfrastructure #GlobalSouth #DPI #SouthSouthCooperation #SSC #DevelopmentCooperation #DAKSHIN #RIS
@MEAIndia @dpa_mea @SudhakarDalela @SKSharma_World @RIS_NewDelhi @RajanRatna @cmec_ris @AIC_aseanindia @fitm14 @fisd19 @forum_blue @FIDC_NewDelhi @psbirthal @TheAtulKaushik @Prabir_India @sujeetsamaddar @pdash76 @PV_Chat @sabya_saha @AmitK_PhD @susheco @GaurPankhuri @amitdasvaranasi @monika_koc56097
Sep 24, 2026 · 11:17 AM UTC
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Dr Julio Jiménez Peña, Director of Compliance and Culture, Comité Nacional de Estudiosos de las Relaciones Internacionales (CONERI), Dominican Republic highlighted the country’s Digital Agenda 2030 and its national framework for interoperability and data governance, aimed at secure data exchange and more efficient public services. He outlined five areas including interoperability; digital inclusion, connectivity and skills; trust and cybersecurity; capacity building; and sustainable, affordable and adaptable digital solutions that require continued strengthening across the Global South. Highlighting three cooperation proposals with DAKSHIN on digital linkages between local producers and tourism, climate-resilient agriculture and water management, and an India–Dominican Republic applied research laboratory, he emphasised South-South cooperation that moves from dialogue and knowledge to action and measurable results.
#DigitalPublicInfrastructure #GlobalSouth #DPI #SouthSouthCooperation #SSC #DevelopmentCooperation #DAKSHIN #RIS
@MEAIndia @dpa_mea @SudhakarDalela @SKSharma_World @RIS_NewDelhi @RajanRatna @cmec_ris @AIC_aseanindia @fitm14 @fisd19 @forum_blue @FIDC_NewDelhi @psbirthal @TheAtulKaushik @Prabir_India @sujeetsamaddar @pdash76 @PV_Chat @sabya_saha @AmitK_PhD @susheco @GaurPankhuri @amitdasvaranasi @monika_koc56097
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Mr Abdi Omar Bile @Abdiomarbile, Communications Expert, Somali Institute for Development Research & Analysis @SIDRAInstitute, Somalia highlighted the evolving digital public infrastructure landscape, with the private sector playing a key role in telecommunications and mobile money, alongside growing use of digital systems in public financial management, business registration and social protection. He identified interoperability and data exchange, digital identity, cybersecurity and data protection, institutional coordination, and digital skills as key areas for further strengthening. He outlined four opportunities for international cooperation: secure and inclusive digital identity and authentication; shared digital infrastructure, standards and APIs; cybersecurity and data protection capacity; and digital skills and knowledge transfer, emphasising the value of adapting lessons from countries with similar digital transitions to Somalia’s context.
#DigitalPublicInfrastructure #GlobalSouth #DPI #SouthSouthCooperation #SSC #DevelopmentCooperation #DAKSHIN #RIS
@MEAIndia @dpa_mea @SudhakarDalela @SKSharma_World @RIS_NewDelhi @RajanRatna @cmec_ris @AIC_aseanindia @fitm14 @fisd19 @forum_blue @FIDC_NewDelhi @psbirthal @TheAtulKaushik @Prabir_India @sujeetsamaddar @pdash76 @PV_Chat @sabya_saha @AmitK_PhD @susheco @GaurPankhuri @amitdasvaranasi @monika_koc56097
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Ms Volha Leanavets, Specialist, Center for International Studies, Faculty of International Relations, Belarusian State University, Belarus, highlighted her country’s expanding DPI ecosystem, including digital identification, electronic public services, digital payments and data exchange, supported by the Digital Belarus State Program 2026–2030. She noted the growing use of digital solutions across government services, including electronic document management, taxation, pensions, customs, healthcare and administrative procedures, while emphasising the importance of cross-border digital interaction and technological cooperation. She outlined three principles for international cooperation on DPI: reducing digital inequality, ensuring national ownership aligned with development priorities, and placing mutual learning at the centre of digital transformation.
#DigitalPublicInfrastructure #GlobalSouth #DPI #SouthSouthCooperation #SSC #DevelopmentCooperation #DAKSHIN #RIS
@MEAIndia @dpa_mea @SudhakarDalela @SKSharma_World @RIS_NewDelhi @RajanRatna @cmec_ris @AIC_aseanindia @fitm14 @fisd19 @forum_blue @FIDC_NewDelhi @psbirthal @TheAtulKaushik @Prabir_India @sujeetsamaddar @pdash76 @PV_Chat @sabya_saha @AmitK_PhD @susheco @GaurPankhuri @amitdasvaranasi @monika_koc56097
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Mr Rohit Ranjan Rai, Associate Vice President – Strategy & Operations, MOSIP highlighted MOSIP’s engagement with countries across the Global South, emphasising that its partnerships are also a source of learning that informs future technical assistance and capacity-building efforts. He noted that effective DPI implementation requires engagement with multiple stakeholders and a strong understanding of how technology translates into implementation on the ground. He underscored the value of platforms such as DAKSHIN in bringing country-level experiences into dialogue, helping technology and digital public good providers make their solutions and implementation approaches more responsive to local needs.
#DigitalPublicInfrastructure #GlobalSouth #DPI #SouthSouthCooperation #SSC #DevelopmentCooperation #DAKSHIN #RIS
@MEAIndia @dpa_mea @SudhakarDalela @SKSharma_World @RIS_NewDelhi @RajanRatna @cmec_ris @AIC_aseanindia @fitm14 @fisd19 @forum_blue @FIDC_NewDelhi @psbirthal @TheAtulKaushik @Prabir_India @sujeetsamaddar @pdash76 @PV_Chat @sabya_saha @AmitK_PhD @susheco @GaurPankhuri @amitdasvaranasi @monika_koc56097
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Mr Shailendra Pal Singh, Senior General Manager, Digital India BHASHINI Division @_BHASHINI highlighted Bhashini’s approach to making language no barrier to digital access, covering translation, speech recognition, text-to-speech, OCR and other language technologies across India’s 22 scheduled and 121+ languages, including low-resource and tribal languages. He emphasised the use of voice and telephony to make public services more accessible to citizens who may be less comfortable with digital devices, with applications spanning grievance redressal, social justice, legal information and tourism. With an open-source, zero-license and vendor-neutral platform developed through partnerships with government, startups and research institutions, he highlighted the potential to share India’s experience and solutions for low-resource languages with other countries.
#DigitalPublicInfrastructure #GlobalSouth #DPI #SouthSouthCooperation #SSC #DevelopmentCooperation #DAKSHIN #RIS
@MEAIndia @dpa_mea @SudhakarDalela @SKSharma_World @RIS_NewDelhi @RajanRatna @cmec_ris @AIC_aseanindia @fitm14 @fisd19 @forum_blue @FIDC_NewDelhi @psbirthal @TheAtulKaushik @Prabir_India @sujeetsamaddar @pdash76 @PV_Chat @sabya_saha @AmitK_PhD @susheco @GaurPankhuri @amitdasvaranasi @monika_koc56097
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Dr Rajan Sudesh Ratna @RajanRatna, Coordinator, DAKSHIN – Global South Centre of Excellence, @RIS_NewDelhi outlined a continued engagement-based approach as the way forward, with DAKSHIN maintaining interaction with participating countries and partners. He noted that DAKSHIN would facilitate taking these requests forward with the Ministry of External Affairs @MEAIndia, where appropriate, to explore avenues for technical support and cooperation.
#DigitalPublicInfrastructure #GlobalSouth #DPI #SouthSouthCooperation #SSC #DevelopmentCooperation #DAKSHIN #RIS
@dpa_mea @SudhakarDalela @SKSharma_World @cmec_ris @AIC_aseanindia @fitm14 @fisd19 @forum_blue @FIDC_NewDelhi @psbirthal @TheAtulKaushik @Prabir_India @sujeetsamaddar @pdash76 @PV_Chat @sabya_saha @AmitK_PhD @susheco @GaurPankhuri @amitdasvaranasi @monika_koc56097
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Dr Sadre Alam, Joint Secretary – NEST (New, Emerging & Strategic Technologies) Division, @MEAIndia, Government of India highlighted the diversity of experiences across the Global South while underscoring the common ground and shared need for practical digital solutions tailored to specific use cases. He emphasised three key priorities for the way forward: leveraging existing solutions with appropriate customisation rather than reinventing them; strengthening national digital ecosystems as an essential foundation before or alongside cross-border integration; and ensuring solutions respond to partners’ needs, contexts and priorities. He reaffirmed India’s readiness to support partner countries and highlighted the need for follow-up through DAKSHIN to continue the dialogue and translate the deliberations into practical cooperation.
#DigitalPublicInfrastructure #GlobalSouth #DPI #SouthSouthCooperation #SSC #DevelopmentCooperation #DAKSHIN #RIS
@dpa_mea @SudhakarDalela @SKSharma_World @RIS_NewDelhi @RajanRatna @cmec_ris @AIC_aseanindia @fitm14 @fisd19 @forum_blue @FIDC_NewDelhi @psbirthal @TheAtulKaushik @Prabir_India @sujeetsamaddar @pdash76 @PV_Chat @sabya_saha @AmitK_PhD @susheco @GaurPankhuri @amitdasvaranasi @monika_koc56097
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