SINGAPORE, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat on Tuesday evening called on countries to avoid a zero-sum approach to technology and embrace cooperation instead.
The best way is to learn from one another and draw on each other's strengths, so that countries can build back better from the COVID-19 pandemic, Heng said when delivering a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the virtual Singapore International Cyber Week organized by the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore.
Noting that the world is at the center of a digital revolution which would fundamentally change societies and economies, Heng said countries worldwide need to address such issues as the ethical use of technology, user privacy and a growing digital divide.
"As more people go online, crimes and threats have also gone virtual," he said. "Cybersecurity will be critical as we become more digital."
The rules-based multilateral order, which has underpinned growth and peace since the end of the Second World War, is now under pressure, Heng cautioned.
"Some countries have turned inwards as a result of domestic pressure, as the benefits of globalization had not been evenly spread and some segments are hurting," he said. "But despite their flaws and limitations, the world will be a poorer place without multilateralism and globalization."
By working together, countries can grow the global commons and sustainably benefit all countries and their peoples, he said, adding that a key area of collaboration is the digital economy, one of the few growing sectors during the pandemic.
Countries should better harness the strong growth potential of the digital economy by strengthening digital connectivity to enhance cross-border digital trade, and should also work together to develop new governance frameworks for the digital commons, so as to enable innovation while preserving public trust, Heng said.
He added that global cooperation is especially important for cybersecurity, which is the foundation for trust in digital exchanges. Enditem
