Buenas noches,
Es un placer estar con ustedes aquí, en Canarias, en Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Antes de nada, quiero darles, a todos, la bienvenida a España. Es la 1ª vez que esta Conferencia Ministerial se celebra en territorio europeo, así que me gustaría agradecer la elección de nuestro país para organizar un acontecimiento de esta envergadura. Confío en que los próximos días de trabajo sean sumamente provechosos para todos y que se alcancen los objetivos propuestos.
We have gathered here today, in the city of Las Palmas and Island of Gran Canaria, in Spain, for the OECD Digital Economy Ministerial Meeting. Under the leadership of Spain —as Ministerial Chair—; with Denmark, Japan, Türkiye, the UK and the US as Vice-Chairs and the rest of the Member Countries of the Committee on Digital Economy Policy, we are willing to work together in order to build “a trusted, sustainable, and inclusive digital future”, in line with your motto.
From the rise in cross-border data flows to the growing presence of artificial intelligence in everyday applications, digitalisation increasingly fuels the global economy, permeates across sectors and affects all aspects of life. This digital transformation carries great potential for innovation, well-being and prosperity, with data accessibility and openness in particular emerging as a means to empower people and businesses, yet also bringing risks of misuse and harm, and new policy challenges for governments.
This context calls for urgent attention, leadership and action from policy makers around the world. In such a complex scenario, the OECD plays a key role in advancing evidence-based policy-making and as a forum for Members, partners and stakeholders to share knowledge, experience, and data, in order to identify and improve policy solutions to economic, environmental, and social challenges. Since its creation, the “building better policies for better lives” theme a principal has been driving policy makers within the OECD.
As we can see, the quest for better societies is now −and for the coming future− inevitably and tightly linked to the success of the digital transformation.
"...As we can see, the quest for better societies is now −and for the coming future− inevitably and tightly linked to the success of the digital transformation.
This is the reason why for the next days you will discuss here how governments can find a balance between unleashing the benefits for all of the digital transformation while protecting people, society and economies from the risks it can create. This will include discussions around rights in the digital age, connectivity and other digital divides, the issue of online misinformation, and how to ensure the digital transformation supports the green transition and net zero goals.
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This is the reason why for the next days you will discuss here how governments can find a balance between unleashing the benefits for all of the digital transformation while protecting people, society and economies from the risks it can create. This will include discussions around rights in the digital age, connectivity and other digital divides, the issue of online misinformation, and how to ensure the digital transformation supports the green transition and net zero goals.
Ladies and gentlemen,
As I said before, for Spain, hosting this Ministerial Conference is a very significant milestone, since it comes to highlight the important role that our country is playing in the digital transformation process. It also allows us to show you how we honour our commitment of making it one of our major objectives.
This comes as to recognize Spain’s effort and determination to promote a humanistic digital transformation. In this regard, our country also looks to facilitate knowledge sharing and a common understanding of how to make rights and freedom more respected, and as applicable, online as they are offline. I strongly believe that this forum has, here and now, the opportunity to encourage policymakers, business, technicians and civil society, to work towards a human-centric and rights-oriented digital transformation, one that places both people and the planet at the center of the technological development and deployment.
This is a shared task for all, and in it −of course− I wish you great success for the coming days. We need it badly.
Thank you very much. Enjoy the evening and olso your days have in the wonderful Canary Islands.
One reminder, today, one year ago, the volcano “Cumbre Vieja” in La Palma Island stopped, ceased empting lava and further destroying properties and lively hands. Recovery and hope began to be the main drixght force there in people life’s, thanks also to the solidarity of many.