G20 proposes digital ID similar to COVID-19 passport system to 'further financial inclusion'

The G20 world leaders summit appear to have reached a consensus on digital identification and digital currency, announcing them as official policy proposals following the 2023 gathering in India.

In a document of official policy recommendations titled "G20 policy recommendations for advancing financial inclusion and productivity gains through digital public infrastructure," the term "digital ID" appears 83 times.

"Digital IDs could further financial inclusion," the document claimed, "especially in low- and middle-income countries, where insufficient documentation is often a barrier to account ownership."

"Inclusive access rules by digital ID systems and reasonable costs for both public and private entities would enable broad adoption of these solutions by different types of providers."

The digital ID is part of a broader recommendation of "Digital Public Infrastructure" that "in general, includes digital ID, digital payments, and data exchange in the financial sector."

During the summit, Ursula von der Leyen, the appointed (not elected) EU Commission President, continued a strong push for digital ID based on COVID-19 passport systems.

"Many of you are familiar with the COVID-19 digital certificate. The EU developed it for itself. The model was so functional and so trusted that 51 countries on four continents adopted it for free,” said von der Leyen, according to NTD.

“Today, the WHO uses it as a global standard to facilitate mobility in times of health threats. I want to thank Dr. Tedros again for the excellent cooperation,” she added.

She continued on social media to say "the future is digital. I passed two messages to the G20. We should establish a framework for safe, responsible AI, with a similar body as the [Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change]. Digital public infrastructures are an accelerator of growth. They must be trusted, interoperable & open to all."

The G20 policy proposal document pulls from, and cites a 2018 World Bank document on digital ID. In it, the World Bank describes digital ID as something that should be required to participate in the economy and society as a whole:

"A unique, legal identity is necessary to allow all individuals to participate fully in society and the economy. The ability to prove one’s identity underlies the ability to access basic services and entitlements from healthcare through to pensions and agriculture subsidies."

The document also reveals that the digital ID program is one of the United Nations' "Sustainable Development Goals, which calls for all UN member States to 'provide legal identity for all, including birth registration' by 2030."

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