United Nations World Data Forum 2023 Commences with Ding Xuexiang Reading President Xi Jinping’s Congratulatory Letter and Delivering Speech
On April 24, the United Nations World Data Forum 2023 was inaugurated in Hangzhou, Zhejiang. Ding Xuexiang, Member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and Vice Premier of the State Council, attended the opening ceremony, reading out a congratulatory letter from President Xi Jinping and delivering a speech.
Ding Xuexiang stated that President Xi Jinping’s dispatch of the congratulatory letter fully demonstrates the significant attention given to the forum. China has been implementing the national strategies of building a strong cyber power and fostering big data development. By facilitating the in-depth integration of the Internet, big data, artificial intelligence, and the real economy, China endeavors to create a digital nation and an intelligent society, and promote digital industrialization and industrial digitization. As a result of these efforts, China has achieved notable success in the development of its digital economy. China will accelerate the application of digital technology innovations, harness massive data and diversified application scenarios to their maximum potential, promote data compliance and efficient circulation and use, strengthen and expand the digital economy, reinforce the new impetus for economic growth, and offer robust support to promote high-quality development.
On April 24, the United Nations World Data Forum 2023 was inaugurated in Hangzhou, Zhejiang.
Ding Xuexiang, Member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party
and Vice Premier of the State Council, attended the opening ceremony,
reading out a congratulatory letter from President Xi Jinping and delivering a speech.
(Photo by Yue Yuewei/Xinhua)
Ding Xuexiang highlighted that the world is currently experiencing an accelerated pace of changes unseen in a century, and global sustainable development is facing multiple challenges. To provide new impetus and vitality for sustainable development, we must promote the implementation of the Global Development Initiative through “data governance”. He put forward four initiatives. First, it is necessary to adhere to genuine multilateralism, deepen global digital governance, break down digital barriers, deepen data interconnection, and actively expand equal, open and cooperative digital partnerships. Second, it is necessary to strengthen digital innovation and application, accelerate digital transformation, strengthen collaborative innovation of new-generation digital technologies, and promote the integration of digital technologies across all facets and stages of economic and social development. Third, it is necessary to promote equitable development, continuously bridge the digital divide, create an open, inclusive, fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for the development of the digital economy, enhance the accessibility of the digital economy, and share the dividends of digital technology development. Fourth, it is necessary to work together to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations, strengthen the statistical monitoring of global poverty reduction, food security, energy supply, health and other areas, and measure the progress and effectiveness of sustainable development in a timely and accurate manner.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivered his address remotely through video. Before the forum commenced, Ding Xuexiang met with representatives of foreign guests who were in attendance.
The United Nations World Data Forum 2023 was hosted by the United Nations, and co-organized by the National Bureau of Statistics and the People’s Government of Zhejiang Province. The forum featured the theme of “Towards Data that Empowers Our World”. Domestic and foreign experts and scholars, entrepreneurs, government officials and representatives of international organizations attended the opening ceremony.