ISLAMABAD: Minister of Information Technology & Telecommunication Anusha Rahman on Thursday emphasised upon the countries to be prompted in decision making regarding policies and regulations so as to get maximum benefits of technology which is advancing at a very fast pace. The minister, who attended ministerial roundtables and key events as a speaker and panellist during E-Commerce Week in Geneva, Switzerland, said in order to get maximum benefits from the Fourth Industrial Revolution for humanity, new approaches have to be undertaken. The theme of the week was Development Dimensions of Digital Platforms and is being organised by United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) on special invitation extended by UNCTAD secretary general. The event is currently taking place at the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva and will end today (Friday), to discuss growing role of digital platforms and concrete steps to harnessing these evolving technologies for sustainable development. During ministerial roundtable on Advancing Women’s Digital Opportunity, Anusha Rahman highlighted development opportunities and challenges associated with evolving digital economy. She also emphasised that women’s economic empowerment is at the heart of sustainable development and essential to achieve gender equality, poverty eradication and inclusive economic growth. Rahman shared initiatives steered by Ministry of IT in this regard, particularly Information & Communication Technology (ICT) for Girls programme. In the high-level dialogue, the global leaders agreed that digital platforms are increasingly used by people and enterprises, for various objectives which facilitate e-commerce, online and mobile payments as well as social interaction. The minister opined that advent of technology in many developing countries has come as a revolution and not as an evolution, therefore, there is a need that governments along with private sector, showcase how technology could be used for socio-economic development and not used as just social media platforms. As part of the event, the minister also participated as a speaker and panellist in a high-profile workshop called An E-Commerce Agenda for Development – Revisiting Friends of E-commerce Development (FED) Roadmap. The participants shared views on the impact the FED Roadmap has had on their efforts to create effective public policies addressed to promote an e-commerce environment that maintains development at its essence. Published in Daily Times, April 20th 2018.