2024CAREC数字经济研讨会报告英文版-中亚学院

CAREC Digital Economy Workshop Report Summary (June 2024)
This report documents the outcomes of a joint CAREC-China and ASEAN digital economy training program, organized by the CAREC Institute and Zhejiang University, with support from ADB and other stakeholders. The workshop aimed to address the digital divide in the CAREC region, which includes Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan (with notable exceptions like China). Key challenges identified include insufficient digital infrastructure, limited access to affordable internet, lack of clear policies, and regional disparities in digital adoption. The program emphasized aligning with the CAREC Digital Strategy 2030 to foster sustainable and equitable digital growth.

Program Structure
The two-week in-person course in Hangzhou included classroom sessions, site visits (e.g., Alibaba, Hikvision), and group discussions. Topics covered digital industrialization, digital governance, and digital government reforms. Online activities and a WeChat group were established for continued collaboration. The curriculum focused on China's digital economy practices, such as 5G infrastructure, AI applications, and e-commerce platforms like 1688.com, while also addressing global trends like fintech and metaverse technology.

Key Presentations and Insights

1. CAREC Digital Strategy 2030: Advocated for five pillars—leadership, policy enablers, broadband infrastructure, digital skills, and innovation—to enhance regional competitiveness and inclusive growth.
2. Digital Economy Challenges: Highlighted disparities in e-government development (e.g., China and Kazakhstan leading in metrics like EGDI, while Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Pakistan lagged). Recommendations included improving internet affordability, expanding cross-border e-commerce platforms, and strengthening cybersecurity.
3. China's Digital Infrastructure: Emphasized achievements such as 2.64 million 5G base stations, 620 million users, and IoT advancements. Challenges like satellite internet gaps and energy-intensive data centers were noted.
4. Metaverse and AI: Explored applications in manufacturing, education, and cultural industries. Case studies on WeChat Pay and the "AI 3.0" era underscored the need for responsible governance and talent development.
5. Digital Governance: Stressed the importance of harmonized policies, data protection, and public-private partnerships to reduce regulatory risks and enhance trust.

Participant Engagement
20 CAREC delegates and 17 ASEAN participants were involved. The program fostered networking across sectors and regions. Feedback highlighted the value of practical case studies and cross-border knowledge sharing, though some requested more flexible schedules and interactive sessions. Recommendations included tailored content, clearer logistical arrangements, and inclusion of topics like green digital economy and AI ethics.

Policy Recommendations

• Strengthen digital infrastructure through subsidies and public-private collaboration.
• Develop interoperable digital platforms and affordable internet policies.
• Prioritize digital literacy and skill-building for SMEs and the workforce.
• Harmonize regional regulations and promote international cooperation in digital trade.
• Create innovation ecosystems and support tech startups via funding and partnerships.

Annexes
Annex A outlines the course agenda across 12 days, including thematic seminars, site visits, and group work. Annex B compiled all presentations, while Annex C and D provided photos, recordings, and participant lists. Annex E summarized evaluations, emphasizing the program's effectiveness in knowledge transfer and actionable policy insights.