Jakarta (VNA) – As travel restrictions and socialdistancing measures are still in place in countries across the globe, digital technology has helped to keepthe world connected and maintain the global supply and production chains, and the diplomatic service is no exception, Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son told the International Conference on DigitalDiplomacy (ICDD) 2021 virtually hosted by Indonesia on November 16.

Vietnam, like many countries, has stepped up the applicationof digital technology in promoting diplomacy with considerable success, hesaid.

Son called on foreign ministries to embrace this newopportunity, saying it is firstly owing to the fact that “digital diplomacyoffers unprecedented degree of interaction, fosters understanding and trust,enabling countries to respond faster to rapidly changing events and coordinatebetter to address global challenges.”

“Second, digital diplomacy allows more transparency andempower the people by giving them a voice,” the Vietnamese diplomat noted,adding that better transparency also helps to address misinformation anddisinformation issues.

He went on to say that digital diplomacy can facilitate linkagesof the digital economies, promoting innovation, thereby creating a freshimpetus for the post-pandemic inclusive and sustainable recovery.

Finally, in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), digital diplomacy can help optimise theuse of time and resources in organising the bloc’s activities and allowsgreater participation of ASEAN’s partners in the regional process which wasvery successful in 2020 and 2021, he stated.

“Digital diplomacy does not go without risks,” he concluded, “therefore,we need to constantly enhance cybersecurity measures to ensure the safe conductof digital diplomacy.”

In her opening remarks at the event, Indonesian FM RetnoMarsudi said though digital diplomacy cannot yet replace face-to-facediplomacy, it is here to stay and the need for it will continue to increase.

“A hybrid use of in-person and digital diplomacy will be thenew norm after the pandemic. And we have to be fully prepared for it,” shesaid.

The minister suggested three important step to move digitaldiplomacy forward, saying it can be done by strengthening trust in digitaldiplomacy by addressing concerns about cybersecurity, data privacy and internetgovernance; bridging gaps in digital diplomacy between countries; and usingdigital diplomacy to address global issues.

ICDD is the follow up event of the regional conference ondigital diplomacy, or RCDD, which has been successfully hosted by Indonesia in September2019. This year’s event brought together diplomats from 21 countries, includingthe US, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia and China.

It featured an opening session and four panels discussion heldsimultaneously discussing the topics of the followings: Inclusive digitaleconomy: Benefits and challenges; Digital innovation for the SMEs; Making senseof data and digital diplomacy; Big data and crisis management./.