UNITAR Jeju International Training Center (JITC) organized an offline Workshop on "Connecting Futures: ASEAN's Path to a Sustainable Digital Economy" in Jeju Island on April 17-19, 2024. The Workshop, attended by 18 participants from the ASEAN Member States, addressed various aspects of the current global and ASEAN digital transition and economy, including digital infrastructure, talent development, trade cooperation, and e-government governance. Through expert-led lectures, participant-led case-study presentations, and problem-solving group activities, participants gained the skills and strategies to drive digital transformation and economic development in their respective countries and the ASEAN region. Additionally, the Workshop explored success stories from Korea's private sector in the digital economy.

Dr. Hyeok Ki Min from the KIET and Mr. Jowil Plecerda from the ASEAN Secretariat provided insights into global and the ASEAN digital economy trends, highlighting the importance of navigating the digital shift for sustainable economic growth around the world. Mr. Seong Hoon Yoo of the KISDI shed light on strategies to enhance digital connectivity as a pillar for successful digital transformation, Dr. Yoon Seok Ko, Executive Principal of the NIA, delved into strategies for strengthening cooperation in e-government. Dr. Lurong Chen from the ERIA addressed digital trade barriers to facilitate seamless integration into the digital marketplace. The workshop provided a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration among participants, including academia, government, and industry representatives.

Participants also gained insights into Korea’s digital transition and economy case study from Korean industry leaders. Led by Mr. Kway Guan Tan from the Asia Competitiveness Institute of the National University of Singapore, the workshop transitioned to actionable planning sessions, empowering participants to devise strategies for ASEAN’s sustainable digital economy. They also engaged in discussions to identify concrete steps to navigate the digital landscape effectively by attending a site-visit session at Kakao Headquarters.