MINSK, 1 July (BelTA) – Digitization represents not only a window of opportunities but a source of global challenges. Chairwoman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus Natalya Kochanova made the statement during the plenary session of the 8th Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia on 1 July, BelTA has learned. The plenary session focused on Belarus-Russia R&D cooperation in the digitization age.
Natalya Kochanova said: “Digitization opens up new opportunities for the real sector of the economy and the social sphere. The digital agenda has been of current interest in Belarus for many years already. In 2017 Aleksandr Lukashenko determined the strategic policy in favor of building an IT country. The Digital Economy Development Ordinance is known far and wide. New technologies have already been introduced in healthcare, education, banking, and taxation. Belarus is ranked 32nd out of 175 countries in the index of development of information and communication technologies. As legislators we pay close attention to the accessibility of digital information about legislation, to expanding the list of state digital services, to using information technologies for public discussions of draft legislation. All of it enables broad opportunities for citizens to participate in state administration.”
Belarus does not stop on this road and aims to achieve more ambitious goals: introduce digital technologies into all spheres of public relations where they can produce positive results. “We are intent on enabling access to digital services even in the remotest parts of the country. In order to achieve the specified goals, we continue forming an effective legal base and follow closely the legislative innovations in the Russian Federation. We are particularly interested in the Russian experience of regulating digital financial assets, investment platforms, and a number of other things,” the head of the upper chamber of the Belarusian parliament noted.
Natalya Kochanova stressed that digitization represents not only a window of opportunities but a source of global challenges. “Cyber technologies are a powerful weapon, which is often used for illegal goals. Not only individual citizens are targeted. The Western information war against our countries and the massive sanction pressure are part of today's reality. They want to weaken us, including technologically. Under the guise of promoting democratic values irresponsible measures are taken to undermine Belarus' manufacturing potential, erode the social and political situation, discredit the country in the international arena in order to set up a zone of instability in the very heart of Europe,” the senator said.
In her words, it is necessary to unite like never before in the face of these common threats.
“On the 80th anniversary since the day the Great Patriotic War began, we can resolutely say: we survived in that war because we were united. We, legislators, have to work proactively. We have to put up a reliable legal barrier to stop the propaganda of violence, the incitement of animosity and hatred, provocations, fake news, and psychosis in the Internet. We have to effectively protect personal data and personal space of people from the all-seeing digital oversight. The joint development of approaches to regulating the digital sphere will allow taking balanced decisions at the national level. I suggest setting up a bilateral high-level group to work on ways to improve the relevant legislation and find ways to effectively implement it,” Natalya Kochanova said.
The senator went on saying: “I'd like to share certain thoughts and concerns with you. I am sure I am not the only one that feels them. Today one can hear bold prophesies and evaluations of the omnipotence of digital technologies. Some say machines will play the decisive role in the future. No doubt, information technologies are designed to serve people and help them realize their potential. But as our head of state noted correctly the artificial intelligence will never replace people. We cannot allow digital expediency to trump our moral and spiritual values, historical traditions. Family, love, mutual support, mercy, faith. Motherland, patriotism, memory of the past. We should not lose them in this digital age.”
It is important not to allow lies and doublespeak to overshadow truth. It is important to prevent the artificial intelligence from devaluing the ideas of humanism and replacing simple interpersonal communication. “Unfortunately, we already see alarming trends. The Internet makes people closer online but increases distance between them at the same time. Even family members stop communicating in person. The dependence of young people on gadgets is particularly concerning. We have to resolve these digitization problems and other ones together,” the official stated.
The Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia has been held for eight years under the aegis of the upper chambers of the Belarusian parliament and the Russian one – the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus and the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation. The 8th Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia began on 29 June to last through 1 July. Most of the events are held in the videoconference mode due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year's forum is focused on scientific and technical cooperation in the age of digitization due to the special importance of forming common scientific and technological space in the course of integrating the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus.
Taking part in the plenary session are heads of government agencies, ministries, and organizations, representatives of Belarusian and Russian business circles, and digitization experts.
