Resilience of Digital Infrastructure Is Indispensable During Crises: Chief Justice Sharma
6th October 2026, Kathmandu
In the modern era, information technology and digital infrastructure have become integral parts of our daily lives and public service delivery.
However, when natural disasters and crises strike, the failure of these systems to remain secure and resilient can severely impact institutional performance and citizen services.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the 17th edition of the Asia Pacific Regional Internet Governance Forum (APrIGF) 2026 in Kathmandu, Chief Justice Dr. Manoj Kumar Sharma emphasized that the resilience of digital infrastructure is indispensable during times of crisis.
Crises and Their Impact on Digital Infrastructure
Nepal has recently faced various natural calamities, including floods and landslides, alongside disruptions to public infrastructure. In particular, the floods in the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river systems severely affected roads, electricity, and telecommunication sectors, highlighting just how sensitive digital systems are.
During such crises, the loss of technology records or blocked access to them can severely disrupt public service delivery across both government and non-government bodies, including the judiciary.
Digital Resilience and Modernization of the Judiciary
The judiciary has also been actively accelerating the use of technology to make its operations more efficient. With the expansion of digital court records, virtual hearings, and online services, any disruption to data or infrastructure poses a direct challenge to the delivery of justice.
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Highlighting this reality, Chief Justice Sharma emphasized several key areas:
Secure Digital Records and Backups: Establishing reliable backups and effective disaster recovery systems to ensure court records remain unaffected by disasters.
Citizen-Centric Justice: Ensuring that the primary goal of digital transformation is to make citizens’ access to justice quick, smooth, and accessible.
Strategic Risk Management: Designing digital systems while anticipating risks such as floods, earthquakes, cyclones, and cyberattacks.
Conclusion
Digital resilience is not merely about technological growth; it is directly linked to institutional continuity during crises, the preservation of the rule of law, and the protection of citizen rights. Our digital systems must be designed to withstand disruptions, adapt to changing circumstances, and recover swiftly.
Forums like the Asia Pacific Regional Internet Governance Forum play a crucial role in strengthening regional cooperation and policy discourse on these vital contemporary issues.
For more: Resilience of Digital Infrastructure
