Africa-Press – Cape verde. The Cape Verde Internet Governance Forum (IGF-CV) is assuming “an increasingly decisive role” in the sustainable, inclusive, and competitive development of nations, declared the president of the board of directors of ARME this Tuesday.
Speaking at the opening of the event held in Praia, the president of the Multissectoral Regulatory Agency of the Economy (ARME), Leonilde Santos, considered that the forum constitutes more than a privileged space for reflection and collective construction on the future of the archipelago.
As she explained, the meeting establishes itself as an inclusive, plural, and interactive space for debate, capable of bringing together different voices and perspectives in the definition of public policies for the Internet, in a society “increasingly mediated by digital technology”.
The IGF Cape Verde, she assured, is aligned with the principles of the United Nations Internet Governance Forum, having consolidated itself throughout its editions as the main national space for dialogue between the State, regulators, the private sector, academia, and civil society.
The official recalled that the first edition of the forum took place in 2020, in a virtual format, amidst the pandemic, emphasizing that currently, the event is “on a clear path of consolidation,” establishing itself as an inclusive, plural, and interactive space.
Leonilde Santos reinforced that digital transformation can indeed accelerate all sustainable development goals, but only if it is safe, inclusive, and based on human rights.
On the same occasion, the Secretary of State for Finance, Alcindo Mota, considered that artificial intelligence is already a present reality in daily life, influencing how people “learn, work, communicate, and govern.”
The official considered that Cape Verde has the conditions to assume “a relevant role” in this area, but warned that this leadership “requires responsibility, clear rules, trust, and protection of citizens.”
“We need policies that guarantee privacy, protect digital rights, and prevent new forms of inequality. But we also need to not hinder innovation,” he stressed, adding that the goal is to promote a digital world that serves people.
The official also warned of the need for an inclusive digital transformation, emphasizing that the process will not be complete if a significant part of the population is left out, advocating an approach that goes beyond infrastructure and connectivity.
The event promoted by the Multissectoral Regulatory Agency of the Economy (ARME) continues on Tuesday, the 22nd, with a mentoring session dedicated to girls and young women, in partnership with SheTech and Women in Tech.
The program involves students from different high schools in Praia, an initiative that is part of the celebration of the International Girls in ICT Day, marked this year worldwide on April 23rd.
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