Developing economies face pressing issues of connectivity by hosting the majority of 2.6 billion offline people, with 57% of them in South Asia. Notably, in six of the South Asian economies, over 50% of the population lacks Internet access: Afghanistan (82%), Pakistan (79%), Bangladesh (61%), Sri Lanka (56%), India (54%), Nepal (50.4%). Other regions with significant offline population include Nigeria (54.5%), Indonesia (33.5%) and China (23.6%). Asia alone harbors 1.92b offline people making it the most offline region globally. This session aims to identify innovative solutions to boost Internet access and drive digital progress in underserved regions. The session is bringing together innovators, investors, donors, and others to work together, share ideas, and explore investment and funding options for expanding connectivity projects. Together, the participants will tackle current challenges, discuss policies, and brainstorm ways to bridge the digital gap. Moreover, the session will raise awareness among investors and donors about the digital future of offline communities, while also getting governments, industries, and civil societies engaged. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss ideas, projects, digital infrastructure, and explore investment opportunities and collaboration strategies. By the end of the session, we hope to have showcased some groundbreaking projects, identified investment and collaboration opportunities, shared insights on policy and regulation, and forged new partnerships—all with the goal of making digital inclusion a reality for everyone. To ensure an engaging hybrid session, we will employ several strategies: - Our main moderator will be participating on site. - We will designate a skilled remote moderator to facilitate seamless interaction between onsite and online speakers and attendees. - The moderator will actively manage discussions, ensuring all voices are heard and questions are addressed. - We will design the session with a balanced focus on both onsite and online participants, utilizing visual aids and clear communication to maintain engagement across both platforms. - We will leverage online tools/platforms such as interactives, chat features, and collaborative document sharing to enhance participation and interaction. - We will prioritize accessibility and interactivity to create a cohesive and inclusive experience for all participants, regardless of their location.
Open Zoom
