Sustaining government function in DPG acceleration

Highlights

Digital public goods (DPGs) are essential resources that enhance equitable access to digital services and information. These include open-source software, open data, open AI models, open standards, and open content. According to the UN Secretary-General's Roadmap for Digital Cooperation, DPGs adhere to core principles such as privacy, safety, inclusion, and support for the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as SDG 4 – Quality Education, SDG 5 - Gender Equality, SDG 8 – Decent Work & Economic Growth, SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure, SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities, SDG 13 – Climate Action and SDG 16 – Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions. These resources are crucial for improving government operations by streamlining service delivery, reducing operational costs, and enhancing transparency. Effective collaboration among governments, private sectors, and communities is essential to maximize the benefits of DPGs. In Kazakhstan, UNICEF has been instrumental in supporting DPG initiatives, aligning with the "DigitEL" strategy to promote digital infrastructure and talent development. Bewsys was engaged by UNICEF Kazakhstan and the government of Kazakhstan to assist the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry in conducting a capacity needs assessment. This assessment aimed to evaluate Kazakhstan’s DPG capabilities, governance structures, human resource capacities, and policies. The primary objective was to identify existing gaps and opportunities, benchmark against international standards, and develop recommendations for the sustainable adoption and integration of DPGs.