On May 29th, the Korea Digital Development program (KoDi) brought together government leaders, technologists, and development partners for “Advancing Resilience through Data Sharing”—a full-day roundtable supported by the Korea Green Growth Trust Fund (KGGTF) and the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MoEF). The event highlighted how integrated data platforms are reshaping the way countries anticipate, absorb, and recover from shocks.
Setting the Vision
The day opened with opening remarks from the KGGTF, followed by the National Information Society Agency (NIA) and the Korea Development Institute (KDI) setting the vision and current priorities alongside World Bank digital experts. They illustrated how real-time data sharing—across ministries and sectors—has elevated Korea’s capacity to respond to disasters, monitor public health, and safeguard food systems. By breaking down silos and connecting data flows, governments can detect cascading risks earlier and respond more effectively. At the same time, speakers acknowledged persistent barriers such as legacy systems, fragmented mandates, and data privacy concerns—issues that can be overcome with strong political will and smart system design.
From Vision to Infrastructure
Building on that foundation, the conversation shifted toward the mechanics of effective data ecosystems. Speakers from the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), and the National Institute of Green Technology (NIGT) unpacked the governance models and legal frameworks enabling secure and ethical data exchange. Examples included consent-by-design protocols and sandbox environments for innovation. Technologists showcased how cloud-native architectures, AI, and geospatial analytics are transforming national platforms into robust engines for risk analysis. A recurring message was the critical role of development partners—such as the World Bank, UN CTCN, and UNDP—in aligning standards, fostering innovation, and supporting long-term sustainability.
Translating Concepts into Action
Participants then turned their focus to regional application, with the Maldives presented as a pilot country under the World Bank’s DMADD project. The Maldives shared its national digital vision outlined efforts to overcome challenges such as data silos, interoperability, and regulatory gaps through new legislation and investments in a data sharing platform. A live demonstration introduced the new World Bank diagnostic tool—a practical, user-friendly resource that helps countries assess their data ecosystems across governance, infrastructure, and stakeholder engagement, and generate tailored roadmaps for improvements. The session also featured real-world use cases—from coral reef monitoring and early warning systems—and emphasized the importance of stakeholder engagement, long-term financing, and adaptability to support regional scaling.
Fostering Lasting Collaboration
Ensuring long-term momentum requires inclusive engagement. Representatives from government agency, development partners, and civil society shared strategies that have built trust and improved outcomes—from co-design workshops and citizen science efforts to open-data challenges that spur innovation and strengthen public awareness. Participants emphasized the importance of formalizing sustainable collaboration across governments, development institutions, academia, civil society, and the private sector—underscoring the growing appetite for integrated, cross-sector partnerships that can drive climate-smart digital transformation at scale.
A Platform for Regional Resilience
The roundtable underscored a clear message: data is no longer just a by-product of development—it is a vital asset that can dramatically increase the impact of every resilience investment. Drawing on Korea’s experience, the exchange catalyzed a regional community of practice ready to translate insights into action. A regional pilot—already in development with KGGTF support—will take the next step, demonstrating how open and interoperable data systems can protect lives and livelihoods across an increasingly complex risk landscape.
Watch the videos here