Non-Aligned Movement has reiterated its conviction for the need to formulate a people-centered, inclusive and development-oriented Information Society based on information and communication technology. Suriname, a NAM Member State, realizing the need to ensure an accessible, transparent and safe digitally transformative environment, has recently adopted the country’s National Digital Strategy 2023-2030.
According to the policy document, the Government of Suriname has set out a vision for the digital transformation of the country in the National Digital Strategy 2023-2030. By 2030, the country aims to develop an accessible, transparent, safe and secure digitally transformative environment, that sustainably enables the prosperity and universal well-being of all citizens of Suriname – based on local and international collaboration. This vision is premised on ensuring that digital works for everyone in Suriname – that it is accessible, transparent, safe and secure – and that no one is left behind.
In order to deliver an accessible, transparent, safe and secure digitally transformative environment in Suriname; one that sustainably enables the prosperity and universal well-being of all citizens – based on local and international collaboration; six strategic priorities have been identified in the National Digital Policy 2023-2030. The first strategic priority is “Strengthening Digital Infrastructure” to build the strongest possible foundations for the digital transformation of the country. This priority entails enabling efficient and effective customs clearing and import taxation, shaping an available and skilled ICT labour force, building collaboration between the stakeholders and ensure financing to enable sustainable and longer-term digital transformation in the country. The second priority is providing accessible and affordable internet. Currently round 50% of Suriname’s citizens are daily internet users – whilst 60% have access to the internet. Ensuring accessible and affordable internet in Suriname will require investment capital, strengthened infrastructure, including improving mobile coverage in rural communities, and accelerating the deployment of fibre connectivity in urban and populated areas, and improved legislation.
The third strategic priority is delivering digital identity which requires the widespread availability of e-ID infrastructure, including software and hardware and centralized systems operating at-scale; sustainable financing, notably longer-term and allocated budget to continue the roll-out and uptake of e-ID – including licensing and improved contracts with suppliers; uptake and adoption – including improved citizen knowledge of the importance of e-ID, greater awareness of its role in the digital transformation of Suriname, and increased usage of digital ID services; and continued adherence to best practice – from ensuring multiple verification methods to best-in-class security and other procedures, including data minimization to protect data privacy and to reduce identity theft. The fourth strategic priority is improving access to government services. This entails digitalization of the key government services, strengthening key components of digital public services delivery, developing and implementing an interoperability and data exchange framework, improving citizen awareness and uptake of digital public services, and ensuring digital financing.
The fifth strategic priority is ensuring hybrid and distance learning. This will require the availability of high-quality learning material, access to devices, equipment and suitable policies, strengthening human capital by increasing educator skills, and supporting improvements in digital and functional literacy across the population, and improve underlying infrastructure by providing accessible and affordable internet and affordable and reliable electricity. The sixth and final strategic priority is increasing citizen awareness and creating a mindset shift. According to the policy document, this requires “digital champions as role models to promote digital transformation, and to demonstrate and communicate that digital products and services are safe, reliable, and the best option for many tasks and activities; collaboration between all stakeholders, including creating a useful and sustainable policy environment to drive public-private collaboration and the digital efforts of the private; incentives to increase engagement and participation in Suriname’s digital economy and society – driving the uptake and adoption of digital across the country.; and a digitally-savvy and digitally-literate population, with the skills and confidence to explore all that digital can offer.”
According to Suriname President Chandrikapersad Santokhi, the National Digital Strategy 2023–2030 is a commitment to the future that Suriname envisions. “This strategy represents a collective effort to shape a better future for all Surinamese citizens,” Santokhi remarked when presented a copy of the Strategy. The Strategy thus aims to transform Suriname to become a more connected, inclusive and innovative country over the next eight years.
