SCO urges efforts to narrow digital divide among member states: joint communique

DUSHANBE, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states said on Tuesday that efforts should be made to narrow the digital divide among them.

In a joint communique issued at the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) of Member States of the SCO in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, heads of the delegations noted that in recent years, digital transformation has become an important area of cooperation within the SCO, calling for efforts to enhance access to digital services for the general public and businesses, including residents in remote areas.

While advancing digital transformation, it is essential to strengthen information security, ensure the reliability of digital infrastructure and data security, and enhance digital literacy, said the heads of the delegations.

They also stressed the importance of ensuring equal access to artificial intelligence technologies for all member states, while respecting national interests and adhering to the principle of the peaceful use of science and technology.