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Showing 9 of 123 news items in Connectivity & Digitization

Connectivity & DigitizationJune 24, 2025

Nauru becomes first Pacific nation to establish dedicated crypto regulator

Nauru has become the first Pacific nation to establish a dedicated regulatory authority for virtual assets. The Pacific nation of Nauru [passed](https://advancenauru.com/2025/06/17/republic-of-nauru-becomes-first-pacific-country-to-launch-digital-asset-regulator/) legislation on June 17 to create the Command Ridge Virtual Asset Authority, an autonomous body that will oversee cryptocurrency, digital banking, and Web3-related services. Under the new law, the CRVAA will introduce a licensing regime for virtual asset service providers, allowing them to register and operate using Nauru as a legal base. Although cryptocurrencies were already legal in Nauru, trading until now existed in a largely unregulated environment, with no specific oversight, licensing requirements, or regulatory framework in place. Under the new legislative framework, legal definitions have been introduced for various crypto-related activities.

Connectivity & DigitizationJune 24, 2025

UNESCO debates Afro-descendant presence in Caribbean and Latin American history and calls to create learning materials for schools

UNESCO’s [General History of Africa (GHA) Programme](https://www.unesco.org/en/general-history-africa) aims to offer a scientific perspective on world history, acknowledging the diverse contributions of African civilizations to global history. The GHA presented in its 9-volumes – wit two more currently being prepared for publication – is the result of collaborative work by more than 230 historians and specialists, under the supervision of an international scientific committee.. The volumes cover the early kingdoms, the genocide of the transatlantic slave trade, the process of colonization, the liberation responses, and a special volume dedicated to the diaspora to other regions (to be published). In 2009, at the request of the Member States of the African Union, UNESCO launched an initiative to support the integration of the GHA into formal, non-formal, and informal education, with the aim of decolonizing the teaching and learning of history, challenging Eurocentric narratives. In this context, UNESCO is developing a GHA Resource Pack that includes tools designed to support stakeholders in the education sector in this important endeavor. The first of these tools is the Curriculum Pathway tool, specifically designed to assist curriculum developers in mainstreaming the GHA into national curricula.

Connectivity & DigitizationJune 10, 2025

AI-driven mangrove mapping on Farasan Islands, Saudi Arabia

Mangroves provide essential ecological benefits, and accurate classification is vital for their protection. This study used 2023 Landsat 8 SR data within the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform to classify mangrove and non-mangrove areas in the Farasan Islands Protected Area in Saudi Arabia. Machine learning models, Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), eXtreme Gradient Boost (GB), and an ensemble approach were employed using spectral indices such as NDVI, MNDWI, SR, GCVI, and LST. The ensemble model achieved an overall accuracy (OA) of 92.2% and a kappa coefficient (KC) of 0.84. The models, RF had an OA of 91.4% and KC of 0.82, SVM had 88.3% OA and 0.76 KC, and GB recorded 86.7% OA and 0.73 KC. Ground truth cross-validation was conducted using high-resolution satellite imagery from Google Earth, combined with an NDVI overlay derived from Landsat 8 data. This approach confirmed the accuracy of the models in detecting dispersed mangrove patches, which are often missed in global datasets. This workflow can enhance conservation efforts and support sustainable mangrove management.

Connectivity & DigitizationJune 10, 2025

India and Japan Collaborate to Transform Islands into Smart Hubs

Photo Credit: [Urban Acres](https://urbanacres.in/india-and-japan-collaborate-to-transform-islands-into-smart-hubs/) India and Japan have agreed to transform the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep into “smart islands.” This collaboration aims to integrate renewable energy, smart mobility systems, and digital infrastructure, aligning with both nations’ commitments to ecological conservation and regional maritime security. The partnership leverages Japan’s expertise in developing island territories, focusing on deploying renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, establishing smart mobility solutions, and enhancing digital connectivity. These initiatives are expected to reduce the islands’ carbon footprint and promote sustainable tourism and economic activities. The transformation plan includes the development of smart grids, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and the expansion of high-speed internet connectivity. Additionally, the initiative aims to improve waste management systems and promote the use of clean technologies in various sectors. This collaboration also envisions the establishment of maritime industrial clusters, fostering innovation and economic growth in the region. By integrating advanced technologies and sustainable practices, the project seeks to enhance the quality of life for residents and create new opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship.

Connectivity & DigitizationMay 20, 2025

Expansion of drone delivery to attached islands such as Jeju Island and Biyangdo Island

Residents of Biyangdo Island, Jeju, order chicken delivered by drones even at night. This is thanks to the “2025 Drone Demonstration City Construction Project” by the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province and the government. As part of the project, Jeju Island and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport launched the first drone delivery service this year in Biyangdo, Hallim-eup, Jeju City. This year, Biyangdo has significantly increased its delivery weight from 3kg to 10kg for the convenience of residents and tourists. In addition, the operating time was extended by two hours from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., after the end of the ship’s operation. In particular, as the weight of delivery has increased a lot, it plans to expand merchants, delivery goods, and Jeju’s reverse delivery specialties in connection with the public delivery application “Mukkebi.”

Connectivity & DigitizationMay 13, 2025

Sri Lankan health-tech company Flash Health wins global recognition for healthcare innovation

Photo: Arshad Ameer (CEO / Co-Founder – Flash Health), via [The Island](https://island.lk/) Sri Lankan health-tech company Flash Health was named runner-up in the Health & Wellbeing category at the World Summit Awards 2025 in Hyderabad, India. The honor recognizes their revolutionary “Flash Health Cashless OPD” solution, which enables outpatient care without out-of-pocket expenses. The innovation supports UN Sustainable Development Goal 3.8 for universal health coverage, particularly benefiting low-to-middle income populations. Founded in Sri Lanka, Flash Health aims to make healthcare accessible through digital solutions. “This award validates our mission to democratize healthcare,” said Co-founder Arshad Ameer. The company plans to expand the cashless OPD service to more countries, building on this global recognition.

Connectivity & DigitizationMay 13, 2025

Cape Verde Unveils $45M TechPark Cape Verde to Position as ‘Tech Islands of West AFRICA’

Photo credit: Image from [TechBuild.Africa](https://techbuild.africa/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Cross-Switch-5-2-750x375.png) The Government of Cape Verde is officially inaugurating Tech Park Cape Verde (“TechPark CV”), a centre of excellence for tech companies, marking a milestone in the nation’s digital transformation journey. Funded by a €45.59 million investment from the African Development Bank (AfDB), the investment represents nearly 2% of Cape Verde’s GDP and is a key component of the country’s strategy to diversify its economy. It reinforces Cape Verde’s ambition to become the “Tech Islands of West Africa” — a strategic hub for digital services and innovation connecting West Africa, Europe, and the Americas.

Connectivity & DigitizationMay 1, 2025

Cyprus attracts tech giants following president’s US visit

A recent visit by the President of Cyprus to the United States is beginning to yield tangible results, as representatives from major tech companies that held talks with the Cypriot delegation in Silicon Valley are set to arrive on the island in the coming days. Senior executives from Amazon recently visited Cyprus to explore the potential for establishing operations on the island, and are expected to return soon for further discussions, sources familiar with the matter told local outlet Phileleftheros. In early May, delegations from US-based technology firms Tenstorrent and Plug and Play are scheduled to visit. They will be followed by representatives from OpenAI, Google, Nvidia, Oracle, and Microsoft, who will also assess investment opportunities in Cyprus.

Connectivity & DigitizationApril 29, 2025

Guernsey headteachers adapt to AI use in education

A Guernsey headteacher has changed the school curriculum to include Artificial Intelligence (AI) because of its potential impact on the futures of students. Daniele Harford-Fox said The Ladies College used a custom-made AI agent to help Year 7 students set themselves targets. She said staff also used an internal version of Microsoft Copilot with added restrictions to ensure safe learning. “There are fundamental questions about whether [the education system] is going to still be relevant to this industrial revolution,” she said. Ms Harford-Fox said recent AI models, such as Chat GPT-4, were capable of writing work better than most A-level students and Guernsey teachers were concerned about verifying their work. She said: “If AI can write a better essay than most students, the real question is why are we spending seven years of a student’s life teaching them how to write essays?” The States does not have a specific policy which covers AI use in schools, but its [online safety guidance](https://www.gov.gg/ICT) refers users to Guernsey’s data protection laws.