SCIENTIFIC APPROACHES TO THE RESEARCH OF THE IMPACT OF DIGITALIZATION ON ENSURING THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRY AND ITS REGIONS

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to systematize scientific approaches to the study of the impact of digitalization on sustainable development of the country/region. In the course of the conducted research, it was found that the study of the issues of sustainable development of the country/regions is implemented in terms of social, economic and ecological components. Scientific approaches, focused mainly on the study of the ecological component of sustainable development, consider various aspects related to the preservation of the natural environment, adaptation to climate change, the organization of rational waste management, and the saving of natural resources. In scientific approaches aimed at the social component of sustainable development, emphasis is placed on studying the potential of digital technologies in solving important social problems (overcoming hunger, inequality in society, gender inequality, poverty, ensuring quality medicine and education). Scientific approaches, focused mainly on the economic component of sustainable development, explore the possibilities of digitalization in activating the processes of economic growth of countries and regions, developing infrastructure, introducing innovations into the production process, and mitigating the negative impact of industry on the environment. The author proved that digitalization is a locomotive for the formation of new opportunities for the sustainable development of regions, which contributes to increasing the efficiency of the use of resources, improving the quality of life and education of the population. The article argues that regional digital transformation makes it possible to reduce the digital gap for the population of different regions, increases the level of access to quality education, medical services, work, and leisure. It is substantiated that a special role in ensuring sustainable development is played by higher education institutions, which, within the scope of educational activities, train a new generation of workers, businessmen and citizens who are able to think and act rationally and ecologically friendly; within the scope of scientific activity, universities generate innovative ecologically safe and resource-saving technologies, the implementation of which in the production process contributes to the reduction of emissions of negative substances into the natural environment, the preservation of the environment, etc.