Delivering an inclusive digital transition in urban
and rural areas will need increased investment in
network infrastructure, updated digital resilience
strategies and a better cooperation with national
governments and between Members States. These were
the conclusions of the debate with
Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President of the European
Commission for a Europe fit for the Digital Age,
held during the 8 February plenary session of the
European Committee of the Regions (CoR).
In the discussion with
Margrethe Vestager, regional and local leaders stressed that the
preparedness of local and regional authorities for the
Digital Age is a key factor for the sustainability of
public services in the era of growing dependence on
digital technologies, cloud computing, data and
interoperable information systems. Making sure that
citizens have access to the information and the tools
they need is a vital part of the development of the
digital society of tomorrow.
The President of the European Committee of the Regions,
Vasco Alves Cordeiro
(PT/PES), said:
"The digital transition is the big challenge of our
time, but putting people at its centre remains
crucial to avoid creating new territorial divides
and social inequalities. For the Committee of the
Regions, the EU Digital Agenda must be built
together with cities and regions, to achieve better
public services, create new jobs, and support
education, and it must go hand in hand with the
realisation of the Green Deal."
Executive Vice-President Vestager underlined that local
and regional authorities play a key role in making
digital technologies available to all citizens and that
digital public services have to be improved to ensure
safe and accessible tools. CoR members highlighted the
need for leaders in the public and private sector to
work together to support digitalisation and innovation,
contributing to ongoing efforts in energy security and
green technology to strengthen the EU's strategic
autonomy. An inclusive digital and green transition in
urban and rural areas will only be achieved if everyone
has access to the necessary digital infrastructure and
every region has effective and innovative digital
tools.
The
digital divide between urban and rural areas will
continue to grow without the necessary access to
the internet and to digital services in key areas
such as healthcare, education, public services and
social inclusion. This in turn needs stronger and
more effective cooperation between and within the
public administrations of the Member States.
The digital transition – improving access to and
use of digital technologies and taking advantage of
the significant opportunities they can bring – will
have a huge impact on
cohesion in the EU and is vital for the achievement of
the
2030 digital decade goals. With this in mind, the CoR is seeking to add the
digital dimension to the definition of economic, social
and territorial cohesion recognised by the EU Treaties,
in order to streamline investment in 'inclusive'
digitalisation In an era of ever-increasing
connectivity, many urban and rural areas still lack the
advanced networks they need, while citizens often have
insufficient digital skills. Bridging this digital
divide needs a varied approach, with digital
transformation strategies adapted to the needs of each
region to ensure that no-one is left behind.
Background:
A forthcoming study from the CoR will investigate the
state of play of digital resilience across local and
regional authorities in the EU and examine the
solutions and funds being used at the subnational level
to strengthen this resilience. More information
here.
Contact:
Monica Tiberi – Spokesperson of the President
Tel: +32 479 51 74 43
monica.tiberi@cor.europa.eu
Theresa Sostmann
Tel. +32 475999415
Theresa.Sostmann@cor.europa.eu