VIENTIANE, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- The nexus between rapidly developing digital technolgy and the development and poverty reduction needs of least developed countries was discussed as ministers and representatives were joined by youth to celebrate the UN's 71st anniversary in Laos.
Supported by Huawei, the event saw the introduction of a suite of mobile applications in support of awareness raising on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, a set of 17 development goals encompassing aims agreed to by world leaders in 2015.
A virtual-reality experience gave participants a close and interactive look at the country's ongoing efforts to clear unexploded ordnance remaining from U.S. aerial bombardments from 1964-1973, whose removal has been enshrined in a country-specific SDG.
Speaking at the event in the presence of Lao Minister to the Prime Minister's Office H.E. Alounkeo Kittikhoun, UN Resident Coordinator and UN Development Program (UNDP) Resident Representative Kaarina Immonen welcomed the advent of digital tools for benefit of countries like Laos, where rapid adoption of mobile telephone penetration allows swifter outreach to rural and remote communities most at risk of being left behind in poverty reduction efforts.
"We would like to show you how these new technologies benefit, through awareness raising and advocacy, data acquisition and community learning," she said.
