Project "Digital Transformation and Sustainable Development": interview with Konstantin Zaretsky
International Laboratory for Digital Transformation in Public Administration continues a series of expert interviews within the framework of the project "Digital Transformation and Sustainable Development" under the leadership of Leading Research Fellow Anna Sanina. Research Fellow Aisylu Atayeva and Research Assistant Violetta Khomyakova conducted an interview with Konstantin Zaretsky, PhD in Economics, founder of the ESG-World media platform. In the interview, Konstantin Zaretsky answered questions about the role of the state in ensuring sustainable development, potential risks, barriers and opportunities for government agencies in implementing digital technologies in the context of sustainable development, the necessary competencies and skills for effective implementation and use of digital tools in sustainable development.
Konstantin Zaretsky noted that, despite the global nature of the sustainable development agenda, it is definitely in demand in our country. At the same time, it is necessary to understand very clearly the internal accents of the sustainable development agenda and formulate our own goals and objectives in this area, taking into account the peculiarities of our community. For example, in Russia there are regions that are economically dependent on activities that leave a significant carbon footprint. In this case, it is important for the authorities to ensure maximum balance of management decisions so that the solution of tasks related to the sustainable development agenda interconnected with the long-term economic competitiveness of such regions.
Konstantin Zaretsky also commented on the potential for synergy between digital technologies and sustainable development in the context of future public administration. In his opinion, digital tools play a key role in digitizing and monitoring indicators to track the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. On the other hand, digital platforms and other digital technologies increase the availability of educational, medical and other public and municipal services, especially in remote areas, which helps in combating poverty, increasing access to education and other sustainable development goals.