SINGAPORE – 09 JUN 2023
Recognising the importance of ensuring that all countries are able to participate in and benefit from the growth of the global digital economy, Singapore is pledging S$10 million to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Partner2Connect (P2C) Digital Coalition to support the international community in harnessing the full potential of digital technologies in line with the United Nation’s (UN) Sustainable Development Goals.

ITU, the UN specialised agency for Information and Communication Technologies, launched the P2C Digital Coalition in September 2021 to foster meaningful connectivity and digital transformation globally. This multi-stakeholder alliance promotes a partnership-based approach to mobilise the resources needed to achieve universal connectivity by 2030. ITU P2C has received over 700 pledges from government and private entities amounting to over US$30billion to date, but more can still be done to spur global digitalisation.
The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA), are committed to helping close the global digital divide and strengthening the digital capabilities of fellow ITU member states. S$10 million in funding and resources will be committed to providing capacity building programmes to 2400 regional and global officials over a four-year period1:
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IMDA, through its Digital Forum of Small States (FOSS)2 initiatives, will help develop the technical capabilities of small states, and support their efforts to architect a sustainable and inclusive digital future.
IMDA is currently hosting the inaugural Digital FOSS Fellowship programme in Singapore from 5 to 9 June 2023, in conjunction with the Asia Tech x Singapore 2023 (ATxSG) Summit. Digital FOSS Fellows from 10 countries3 have been sharing their experiences, challenges and aspirations in building a digital future for small states.
During the programme, the Fellows called on Minister for Communications and Information Mrs Josephine Teo, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, and Ambassador-at-Large Prof Tommy Koh, and will also be hosted to lunch by Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information Dr Janil Puthucheary. The Fellows also engaged distinguished speakers and guests at ATxSG 2023 Summit, and participated in a closed-door Roundtable to discuss how small states can work together to facilitate trusted cross border data flows in the digital economy. Images from the various engagements are at Annex A (935.31KB).
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MFA, through the Singapore Cooperation Programme, will offer courses on digitalisation, such as on digital economy, artificial intelligence, data and cybersecurity. These will be extended to officials involved in policy making and regulation in developing and ASEAN countries to deepen their understanding of digital issues and strengthen their digital capabilities for national policy formulation.
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CSA, through the ASEAN-Singapore Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence, will conduct technical and Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERT)-related cyber capacity building programmes for senior cyber officials in ASEAN and the wider international community.
Singapore’s pledge was announced by the Chief Executive of IMDA, Mr Lew Chuen Hong, at a meeting to engage the inaugural Digital FOSS Fellows yesterday (Thursday, 8 June 2023).

Building a shared digital future is the responsibility of all nations, large and small, Singapore is committed to playing our part to help the international community close the digital divide and ensure that the benefits of our global digital commons can be enjoyed by all.
Lew Chuen Hong
IMDA Chief Executive
“Digital will be key to putting the Sustainable Development Goals back on track,” said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. “I applaud Singapore for their timely P2C pledge, highlighting the importance of digital institutional capacity and cross-country collaboration in achieving universal connectivity and sustainable digital transformation in line with the SDGs.”
Annexes
About Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA)
The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) leads Singapore’s digital transformation with infocomm media. To do this, IMDA will develop a dynamic digital economy and a cohesive digital society, driven by an exceptional infocomm media (ICM) ecosystem – by developing talent, strengthening business capabilities, and enhancing Singapore's ICM infrastructure. IMDA also regulates the telecommunications and media sectors to safeguard consumer interests while fostering a pro-business environment, and enhances Singapore’s data protection regime through the Personal Data Protection Commission.
For more news and information, visit www.imda.gov.sg or follow IMDA on LinkedIn (@IMDA), Facebook (@IMDAsg) and Instagram (@IMDAsg).
About Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) is responsible for conducting and managing diplomatic relations between Singapore and other countries and regions.
For more news and information, visit https://www.mfa.gov.sg or follow MFA on Facebook (SingaporeMFA), Instagram (@mfa_sg) and Twitter (@MFAsg).
About Cyber Security Agency of Singapore
Established in 2015, the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) seeks to keep Singapore’s cyberspace safe and secure to underpin our Nation Security, power a Digital Economy and protect our Digital Way of Life. It maintains an oversight of national cybersecurity functions and works with sector leads to protect Singapore’s Critical Information Infrastructure. CSA also engages with various stakeholders to heighten cyber security awareness, build a vibrant cybersecurity ecosystem supported by a robust workforce, pursue international partnerships and drive regional cybersecurity capacity building programmes.
CSA is part of the Prime Minister’s Office and is managed by the Ministry of Communications and Information. For more news and information, please visit www.csa.gov.sg.
(Ms) Veronica Lim
(Communications and Marketing)
IMDA
DID: (65) 9761 4007
Email: veronica_lim@imda.gov.sg
MFA Media Duty Officer
DID: (65) 9831 2378
Email: MFA_Media@mfa.gov.sg
(Mr) Tan Yi Shu
DID: (65) 9741 3025
Email: tan_yi_shu@csa.gov.sg