Digital public infrastructure has emerged as a fundamental driver of social transformation and progress, says UNGA President

UN General Assembly President highlights India's success with Digital Public Infrastructure, emphasizing its role in social transformation and progress.

UN General Assembly President Dennis Francis has said India's trajectory exemplifies that Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) is a fundamental driver of social transformation and progress and facilitates equal opportunities if accessed in an inclusive way.

"Just as physical infrastructure is essential for economic growth, digital public infrastructure has emerged as a fundamental driver of social transformation and progress. If accessed in an inclusive way, it facilitates equal opportunities in every aspect of our lives. The trajectory of India exemplifies this," Mr. Francis, President of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, said.

Mr. Francis was addressing the first conference at the United Nations on 'Citizen Stack: Digital Public Infrastructure, Transformative Technology for Citizens' organised in New York on April 25 by the Permanent Mission of India to the UN together with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

Assimilating India's first principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, India Stack shared its DPI journey through the inaugural conference.

Mr. Francis told the conference, attended by top UN leaders, diplomats, think tanks and civil society organisations, that during his visit to India in January this year, he had "the privilege to observe how the rapid expansion of DPI in India has broadened access – thereby enabling millions, who previously operated either on the fringes of the economic system or outside of it, to achieve financial independence and prosperity."

He noted that in just seven years, India’s DPI model has achieved over 80% financial inclusion for its citizens, and now accounts for more than 60% of all digital transactions worldwide.

"This model has effectively dismantled numerous barriers – enhancing accessibility and affordability in the financial sector. Models like the Citizen Stack should be embraced and replicated across countries in the Global South – supporting and empowering people, particularly the most vulnerable in our communities; in the true spirit of leaving no one behind," he said.