The session showcased civil society and private sector partnerships in using digital innovations to help protect the most vulnerable. The session included speakers with experience on the ground who are able to speak about the challenges in putting ideas into local action. This seminar put a spotlight on the digital transformation aspiration of the Pacific region and discussed the potential of digital innovations to build their resilience.

The session showcased civil society and private sector partnerships in using digital innovations to help protect the most vulnerable. It brought together diverse perspectives on the impact of digital innovations for climate adaptation and anticipatory action, primarily for serving last mile communities. GSMA Mobile for Development Foundation’s Max Cuvellier Giacomelli and ADB Digital Technology Director Antonio Zaballos highlighted themes such as public-private partnerships, the importance of enabling regulatory environments, building an evidence base, and taking a user-centered approach.   

A panel discussion then heard from CSOs such as Rumsan Associates in Nepal which use blockchain to deliver anticipatory humanitarian cash assistance; E3 Samoa Trust which uses digital technology to build resilience to climate change, including through digital literacy; and Komunidad whose climate resilience and social impact platform is sending vital information to disaster affected communities in the Philippines in advance of crisis. Several questions from the audience and reflection from the panelists revolved around the importance of working directly with end-users to build relevant programs; pathways to scale; and the viability of replication of digital solutions from one context to the next. It was a dynamic session that explored how digital technology has enabled socio-economic, climate, and humanitarian impact for vulnerable communities for over a decade. The session put on the spotlight how mobile network operators, CSOs, and social enterprises are actively engaging communities to adapt, anticipate and respond to the negative impacts of climate change.   

Watch session here: