Riga, 20 October 2020 - Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development (VARAM) released to the public consultation “Digital Transformation Guidelines for 2021-2027”. * The document sets long-term priorities and strategic guidelines for the country's digital development and changes to be implemented in all areas of the economy and life in order to ensure the digital environment. use and development in Latvian society and the State Administration.
The guidelines provide for action in five directions and cover all key aspects of the digital societal breakthrough: “Digital skills and education”, “Digital security and credibility”, “Access to telecommunications services”, “Digital transformation of the economy (so-called “public administration”), “Innovation, Information Communication Technology (ICT) industry and ICT science”.
Minister Juris Pūce (AP!): “With the guidelines for Latvia's digital transformation, we are presenting an ambitious challenge to become a country that is actively involved in building global knowledge and advancing technological development. We already have something to offer to the world in terms of machine translation, drone technology and electronic administration. The guidelines developed by the Ministry are designed as a strategy for rapid growth, with Latvia becoming a model for modern society for the world. . In the coming years, priorities are identified, the implementation of which will create the necessary preconditions for the public to be knowledgeable and ready to use the available digital tools, while operators will be provided with a digital innovation-friendly environment that will boost entrepreneurs' ability to develop more competitive services and solutions. "
One of the basic conditions for digital transformation: a digitally skilled society. The guidelines define the development of digital skills for the whole society, from basic skills to day-to-day communication to the skills needed for the deployment of digital technologies in manufacturing, services and innovation and commercialisation I. In particular, in order to promote technological innovation for society, especially young people, it is planned to develop freely accessible modern technology points that will support enthusiasts' opportunities to realise their creative potential as well as to develop capacity, new products and services.
The Digital Transformation Guidelines define the Internet as a basic necessity, thereby ensuring the wide availability of comprehensive and high-quality Internet services. . At the same time, it is intended to rapidly develop the next generation of communications services needed to ensure real-time, remote and autonomous management. I. The guidelines foresee the introduction of pilot projects for unmanned aircraft corridors over a period of seven years, as well as the deployment of remote-controlled vehicles (e.g. agricultural, forest management, etc.), providing the necessary regulation and technical infrastructure.
Public administration communication with society is mostly digital, while services for citizens must be able to anticipate personal needs and already provide personalised support in a proactive way.
The Latvian Digital Transformation Guidelines foresee that the country will make significant investments to create pre-conditions for data-based innovation and support the digitisation of the commercial sector. A fundamentally new approach is highlighted: national digital platforms will also be made available for use by the commercial sector, for example through official electronic address, digital services platform, foreign identification, etc. Widespread sharing of public and private data will be prioritised, both nationally and at European Union level, while ensuring the right of citizens to manage access to and use their data. . One of the most important areas where the availability and widespread use of data will bring significant benefits to the State, particularly in health care, in the assessment of the effectiveness of the medical process, automation of public administration processes, environmental management and modelling of changes, and in ensuring public safety.
The preparation of the draft guidelines was implemented through the work process involving a broad range of public administration, experts and field experts. . More than 200 representatives from public authorities, industry associations, non-governmental organisations, universities, participated in the working groups. The draft content of the Digital Transformation Guidelines reflects the outcome of the work of the inter-sectoral working groups, gathering challenges, future vision and solutions, and nationally identifiable priority axes for the digital transformation of the economy.
The guidelines are available for public consultation from 20 October to 3 November.
* The draft guidelines and a summary of the objectives set, as well as information on participation in the public consultation, are available here.
Information:
Public Relations Department
Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development
Tel. 20200305; 67026533,
email: prese@varam.gov.lv