Session
Theater
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: A 90-minutes theater-style format is best suited to this discussion as it will allow for a panel discussion to be followed by interactive discussion.
In September 2024, world leaders agreed on a Global Digital Compact as part of the Summit of the Future to articulate shared principles and commitments for an open, free and secure digital future for all. Although the agreement of the Compact marks an important milestone for global digital cooperation, realizing its ambitions and delivering on its commitments will require investments, partnerships, and support at the country level. This would be especially important in view of the WSIS+20 review next year at the United Nations, which will also provide critical guidance on delivering impact directly to individuals, communities and countries all around the world.
This Open Forum will bring together stakeholders from across all sectors to discuss how to deliver on the commitments of the Global Digital Compact for countries around the world, recognizing the importance of Compact outcomes in continuing global digital cooperation efforts. It is also an opportunity to reaffirm the role of the multistakeholder community in IGF and WSIS as a partner to the United Nations system in delivering on its mandates to support countries in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, narrow global digital divides and Leave No One Behind in this digital age.
The co-organizers will prioritize active engagement and interaction between onsite and online participants in three ways. First, we will include virtual speakers, already. Second, we will use the chat and other virtual engagement functions, such as polling, to ask participants to share their reflections on specific questions and issues throughout the session. Third, we will ensure a balanced discussion by alternating questions and contributions from onsite and online participants.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), International Organization, Global
International Telecommunication Union (ITU), International Organization, Global
UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA), International Organization, Global
Southern Voice, Non-Governmental Organization, Africa, Asia, and Latin America
Internet Society, Non-Governmental Organization, Global
- Kusum Appiah, Head of the Digital Transformation Delivery Unit at the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation, Ghana
- Margarita Gómez, Executive Director, Southern Voice
- Olaf Kolkman, Principal of Internet Technology, Policy, and Advocacy
- Cynthia Lesufi, Minister Counsellor: South African Mission to the UN Office and other International Organisations, Geneva
- Robert Opp, Chief Digital Officer, UNDP
- Gitanjali Sah, Strategy and Policy Coordinator, ITU
- Juwang Zhu, Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government, and Acting Director, Division for Sustainable Development Goals, UNDESA
- Yu Ping Chan, Head of Partnerships and Engagement, UNDP Chief Digital Officer (moderator)
UNDP
UNDP
UNDP
1. No Poverty
2. Zero Hunger
3. Good Health and Well-Being
4. Quality Education
5. Gender Equality
6. Clean Water and Sanitation
7. Affordable and Clean Energy
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
10. Reduced Inequalities
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
12. Responsible Production and Consumption
13. Climate Action
14. Life Below Water
15. Life on Land
16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
17. Partnerships for the Goals
Targets: Research conducted by UNDP and ITU in 2023 demonstrated that digital transformation and capacity building advances 70 percent of the SDG targets across the goals. See here: https://www.undp.org/publications/sdg-digital-acceleration-agenda
Report
The recent adoption of the Global Digital Compact is an important milestone in realizing inclusive digital transformations, but translating its ambition to meaningful outcomes will require country-level action. By identifying a set of principles and priorities, the GDC can empower countries and other actors to focus on key priorities for digital transformation. It will be important to connect global policy discussions on digital cooperation to na
Digital capacity building and literacy support are a top priority for GDC implementation. This includes supporting policymakers, but also the wider public. In particular, it will be crucial to develop and deliver capacity building support that is specifically targeted at women and girls as well as marginalized groups. There is a strong role for civil society and the private sector in supporting digital capacity building.
Inclusive multistakeholder partnerships will be crucial for delivering the GDC’s ambition. Here, it will be important to work through existing initiatives and institutions such as IGF and the WSIS process and avoid creating new frameworks and initiatives. The WSIS+20 review is an important opportunity to review the WSIS outcomes and reflect on how WSIS can deliver on GDC implementation.
Put inclusion at the center of all digital cooperation initiatives and recognize that digital divides are intersectional.
Work with local stakeholders to understand key needs and opportunities to develop more effective and sustainable solutions.