Identity credential is an essential need for people around the world especially in modern societies. However, refugees, stateless persons, and people living in rural and remote areas often encounter difficulty to obtaining official identities. The lack of identification will greatly create barriers for each individual affected and for the countries they live in. This is where an inclusive and trusted digital identification system can unlock opportunities for the world’s most vulnerable, according to World Bank’s newest report.
Without any secure and trusted way to prove their identity, vulnerable individuals will not be able to access services and opportunities that would empower themselves and improve their lives, such as healthcare, education, social protection, bank account, or their right to vote in an election. Thus, building an inclusive and trusted digital identification (digital ID) system in a reliable manner is needed to strengthen the transparency, efficiency, and enabling affectivity of governance and the delivery of public services and programs. The importance role of identification has also been acknowledged by the United Nations (UN). According to the UN, digital ID can also help UN to achieve their 2030 agenda in providing legal identity for all people.
Also Read: UN: Digital ID Provides Broader Support for Inclusive Economic Development
The digital ID system can also support the development of private sectors. It helps companies, especially small businesses, to reduce their operating costs, widen customer bases, generate international market, and foster a business-friendly environment. Rapid development of identification system in countries and communities that implement them have proven to be successful in giving them access to connect to the world and open new opportunities in the digital economy.
As more countries aim to close the identification gap and to meet the requirements of identity in the digital age, it is important for them to ensure the integrity of digital ID system and to have sufficient understanding on what constitutes a good digital ID in the next generation of ID system. To solve this challenge, the World Bank Group and its partners have committed to helping countries build inclusive and trusted ID and civil registration systems.
Also Read: 4 Elements of Good Digital ID, Explained
As the number of countries is rapidly growing in implementing digital ID system, it is best to always take into account a way to maximize impact and minimize risk of the inclusive and trusted digital ID system. The system needs to be responsive to everyone’s needs and always put people at the center of the design of any digital ID system to enhance their control and protect their data. The effort can empower people, especially the marginalized members to unlock access for new opportunities and offer engagement between governments, civil society, development partners, and the private sector to globally advocate for ‘Good ID’ that is inclusive, trusted and sustainable.
