‘Digital World 2020’ to be held on 9-11 December

With the theme "Socially Distanced, Digitally Connected," the 7th edition of "Digital World 2020" is slated to be held from upcoming 9 December to 11 December.

State Minister for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Zunaid Ahmed Palak made the announcement during a press conference at the ICT Tower in Agargaon on Sunday, according to a press release.

The state minister said that President Md Abdul Hamid will inaugurate the event on 9 December virtually, and a ministerial conference will be held on 10 December with the participation of ministers of different countries.

Sajeeb Wazed, ICT Affairs Adviser to the prime minister, will present the keynote address at the conference, it read.

The theme of the conference is "Embracing Digital Technologies in the New Normal," and there would be 24 thematic seminars in the fair.

One of the highlights of the third day will be a special seminar on "Inclusive Development." The WHO Expert Advisory Panel member on Mental Health and chairperson of the National Advisory Committee on Autism Saima Wazed will be present at the session, read the statement.

"The closing ceremony will be held on 11 December evening. Salman F Rahman, adviser to the prime minister on private investment, will be present as the chief guest at that event." 

"The event will provide awards 12 categories for playing leading roles in various ICT fields. A virtual Mujib Corner will be available in the Digital World, on the occasion of the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman," it read.  

Besides, there will be musical concerts every evening. Through the virtual production, the audiences will get a taste of an unprecedented musical arrangement performed by popular bands of the present age.

To participate in Digital World, the audience need to register by visiting www.digitalworld.org.bd. After the registration, one needs to download the app to see the virtual digital world.

When the app will go live, a message will be sent to the registered visitors. Once the app is downloaded, one will be able to visit the Digital World 2020 exhibition and participate in seminars and concerts, according to the statement.

Speaking as the chief guest at the press conference, Palak said, "The purpose of this Digital World is to present an image of the ICT sector potentials in Bangladesh."

He continued, "The number of the internet users in the country now stands at more than 11 crore, thanks to the efforts of the present government to build the infrastructure of Digital Bangladesh and timely steps in the last 11 years," according to the statement.  

More than 10 lakh jobs have been created in the IT and ICT sectors, he added.

Later, Palak unveiled the logo, website and registration portal of "Digital World 2020" and replied to questions from the journalists.

Parthapratim Dev, executive director, Bangladesh Computer Council, Almas Kabir, president of BASIS, among others, spoke at the press conference.