IGF 2025 – Day 3 – Workshop Room 2 – WS #362 Incorporating human rights in AI Risk Management(- RAW)

The following are the outputs of the captioning taken during an IGF intervention. Although it is largely accurate, in some cases it may be incomplete or inaccurate due to inaudible passages or transcription errors. It is posted as an aid, but should not be treated as an authoritative record.

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>> MIN thu AUNG: Good morning. Thank you so much for attending our panel on incorporating human rights in AI you risk management. My name is Min thu Aung. I am the digital and innovation manager at the global network initiative GNI. Panel set in the context of this. Government around the world especially in the EU of course, require tech companies to manage I'm an rights risk in the way that they design around indeed use AI. All COP companies have tool an principles sometimes they can fall short lining human rights standard. This panel aims to bring together diverse range of voice industry, from civil society, and also, from multilateral bodies to explore how he can better integrate human rights AI practice. Perhaps we will perhaps quick introduction to GNI first. Multistakeholder initiative. We bring together full constituencies, academics, civil society, companies, and investors. For accountability, for shared learning, collect Iive efficacy and government and company policies and practices intersection of technology add human rights particularly relevant when companies face government request or demands that have impact on freedom of expression or privacy rights.

We have set of principles that GNI principles and implementation guidelines which aim to guide companies on how to respond in when receiving government request or demands, that may have impact on freedom of expression and privacy rights as well as law on conducting ongoing due diligence and so on.

So GNI principles and implementation guidelines do indeed apply to AI insofar as governments produce mandates AI services various shapes or forms and need for companies to conduct human rights AI service. We have indeed been quite an active variety of fora related to AI, also activities for all membership, we are members of the OECD iNET work of experts been involved in BNEX AI due dilligence project. Within the GNI company assessments we exploring intersection between Aiea and human rights due diligence. Also obviously put out many statements of concerns potential rights violations in relation to AI government mandates in Canada and India among others.

Also hosted learning discussions among our members on AI as well as government mandates. Last of which was held during annual with learning forum held in DC last year. Last but not least, AI working group went global network initiative selection of begin members with deep AI experience are amongs other things developing a policy brief on government interventions in AI, and rights respecting responses to these mandates.

Enough about GNI, moving on to our panel. Two company panelists from different parts of the internet stack. So theme diversity. Integrate human rights considerations into development and deployment of AI related products and services. Secondly, we will hear from B tech themselves on multilateral efforts to promote incorporation of human rights in AI Governance. Finally hear the views from civil society panelists on what more can be done by company and by policymakers lawmakers and regulators incorporating human rights in AI. Then have a Q&A and then provide summary and then we will wrap up.

All right, so we look like we're on time. Perhaps I'll start with my first request for intervention. Introduce themselves in a minutes. Google obviously integrated player in the AI ecosystem for example, developing consumer facing AI services like Gemini and predecessors. Also note that Google is a founding member of GNI and dedicated human rights program and responsible AI principles since 2018.

Of course Google's approach human rights due dilligence informed by the UN guiding principles as well as GNI framework.

Just couple of questions. Which you may address in any order that you feel comfortable. I guess firstly, how Google conduct risk assessments across its footprint and how do you incorporate that human rights incorporate the into these risk assessments, and indeed, looking more externally, how do laws and regulations like AI, AI basic consult Korea, influence how human rights are incorporated in risk assessment it's and what advice do you have for other companies to normal assessment human rights which AI risk assessments operations.

>> Thank you the thank you for that question thanks to GNI for putting this session together. Really important top. I will try do I think can get to all of those. Topic j I mean, first thing to say, it may seem obviously do think it's important to point out actually, where companies should start with how you integrate human rights into how you're AI work is fundamentally to make sure that the company has human rights governance at its baseline. So as Google we are committed as you said to the GNI principles.

>> kitted to the UN guiding principles. Committed j business and human rights we have a corporate policy that says, that these are our values and that we have ways to operationalize these committee members throughout the company. Obviously doesn't mean we're doing to perfectly. It does mean these values that set from the highest level of company that they are risks reviewed by the board, and that we have a human rights program that works Toyama implement and insure these commitments across our various products and services.

And so having that in place is what allows us to then get to a point where okay, we also have AI principles on top of that. AI principles build on top of our commitments to UNGP, GNI principles so AI principles are really about single type of technology that we have integrated across policies.

Our AI principles reinforce commitment to international law and human rights and so that is a reminder to everyone who is doing technical work or qualitative trust sand safety work or legal rights human rights something we need to be thinking about. Operational level because we have sort of governance structure and principles integrative in our telling technical teams developing AI aware they should be thinking about what rights related impacts.

Or risks might arise in their work and so we have to setup processes to address that. And so really, it's sort of gets that I think biggest piece is making sure that you have processing and teams in place to operationalize all of those principles. Those teams are the ones that write the policies to ensure we are thinking about how human rights might manifest in AI in content or related to AI in privacy or related to AI and bias discrimination all of these things require process and really, guidelines. You just sort of keep getting at the more granular and granular level what is required, but ultimately human rights has to be baseline and integrated into those processeses and framework.

We do things like red teaming, or we have safe framework, secure AI framework and that sort of coalition work that we do with other companies. All of that embeds way we think about human rights. Gets more pragmatic operational level for testing and red teaming et cetera to make sure we are identifying where risks may arise and giving us opportunity to remedy those.

>> MIN thu AUNG: Thank you so much for that appreciate it. We move to perhaps different part of technology stack. Connectivity layer. Business units including DNA you are a part of, responsible for providing connect to 200 people across, 200 million across the 8 countries. Member of GNI since 2017. RAND has been a strong advocate of AI ethics. And use AI network imagine many, customer service and lateral geniculate nucleus similar questions. How does the group incorporate conducts risk assessments across footprint and how do you ensure that human rights is incorporate raised these in these risk assessments and how does your exposure to the EU act within Europe, but indeed comparative lack of such law an regulationsation business units influence human rights are incorporated AI risk assessment and what advice to do have you for companies.

>> ALEXANDRIA WALDEN: Thank you and hello everyone. It's great to be here. And talk about human rights and AI extremely topical, topic here. Andful you look at what telenor does I think Telenor does, similarly, what Alex pointed out, that it all comes down to having that top management commitment to responsible AI as well as human rights. So and that is at the core of what Telenor does. For example, how we have started building our AI strategy, the foundation of it is really responsible AI. And that is embedded to everything that we do. When we are developed, deploy, AI applications, et cetera. So I think top management commitment to that is very important in order for us to actually achieve those goals and promote responsible AI throughout the organization. And actually, bring that to the structures and procedure it's as also Alex pointed out.

What we have done at DNA for example, is that we have driven AI risk assessment from Telenor responsible AI principles. So actually, those principles guide our risk assessment work. However, of course, AI governance is much more broader topic than that. So of course, we need a lot of more different elements to that. We saw risk assessmentses. So for example, awareness and an training building rush we need to have proper tools. Need to work together with vendors an stakeholders and we need to have those policies guidelines as well aspirins in place. So it's very top, very big topic comprehensive topic where we need to take into account different elements.

Then if we look at the risk assessments that is we do, in DAN we go through very practical level, our AI applications. And think about the risks very holistically. We have a very comprehensive view on this and it has been very rewarding I must say. I lead that working group myself.

And we look at human rights perspectives. We look at impacts on security privacy, look at data governance, when we do very holistic view on AI and we see that very beneficial also because AI is not, AI is such a large topic. So this is the way we have built our own program and if you look at our responsible AI principles, it's first one actually is promoting incorporating human rights to our procedures.

So that is in its core at the risk assessment procedures that we also do.

Coming into then to the question of use AI and how to apply legislation when AI act as we know is in EU, Telenor as mentioned, we operate also in Asia. However, our values, our policies, our principles, they guide our work. Irrespective which country we are at. So that is also at the consider of how we do things. Although part of AI governance and good AI governance is of course to make sure that we are compliant with the regulations, but that is only a part of it. So the companies culture policy, guides those are the (?) guidelines those with the ones that guide us an work that we do. Perhaps also, to the last question, what would be my suggestions to two forward, I would come back to the commitment part. So I think that is the important key element. So that is we are actually committed to human rights, approach as well as responsible AI. But also, the collaboration. We utilize expertise throughout our organization and that has helped a lot and supports our work. Means that we learn from each other a lot. So these I think would be my, it's a journey. So this is not a sprint. So it's journey that we are all in together in this together and we learn as we go. Thank you.  was Alex j >> PHILIPP SCHULTE:

>> MIN thu AUNG: See a lot of commonalities in answers. Move to the different actor.

>> JYOTI PANDAY: A lot of commonalities move to different actor. Natalie thank you so much for joining he Roa remotely of good to see you. We can hear and see testifying. DCO we would love to explore role of the UN more generally, and of B tech more specifically in this context. VTech produced various outputs on intersection of human right it's and AI. Most notably, the text on am I human rights risks connected to again AI producinged in November. GEN, begin was involved in. Love to hear how do you see, the role of multilateral organizations like UN, OECD and others in ensuring widespread donning of human rights in AI the risk assessments, what role do you see for WSIS and GDC and promoting adoption, and last but not least how do you see the global geopolitical divide human rights impacts this drive and what suggestions do you have for companies navigating these device and changes?

>> NATALIE: I hope everybody can hear me. Thank you for the invitation bringing together this panel, invitation creating from Geneva. Few words about VTech project, by the how commissioner office for human rights. Six years ago. And really very much with the goal to translate the guiding principles for the technology sector. So we have produced a lot of, guidance, in very much multistakeholder fashion. So we are working with begin. UACD and some of the conditions can coming to practice and obviously recognizes Alex from Google in that space. And just that we are really using the guiding principlesser as the global standard for business conduct.

( ATHAL IE, STADELMANNj governments of AI, couldn't miss the opportunity up Oahu an rights council going in Geneva ‑‑ human rights council j produced VTech report mandated by the human rights council. Showed interest on this topic about the shared responsibility of companies that are developing and deploy AI to respect human rights as well well state duty protect those rights through requiring those company to respect human rights as well as to access remedy.

So maybe I was thinking to run you through quickly the latest findings that we have in this report. So obviously we know key message is innovation can bring a lot of processes. Human rights especially in terms of complex human rights challenges that they bring and some of them in because of their unforeseen nature. So the report very much acknowledged speed and scale of which AI technology are able to be and that is outspaced current regulatory framework and raised concern about transparency discrimination and misuse among other. So the report goes into shared responsibilities and we focus a lot on the role of company. And in that sense, here the guiding principle come as very useful framework to oriented AI innovation in the responsible manner. So as mentioned, state has a duty to protect individuals from third‑party and abuse includes harms stem from AI product and service and corporation expected to prevent and mitigate human rights stemming from AI technology. Remedy part shared responsibility in that space from both state an companies.

Now, in terms of pillar 2 guiding principle, human rights due diligence, really the cornerstone of responsible corporate conduct in the AI space. And we have been as well working with OECD and recognized as bell guidance in that ‑‑ as well guide independence that respect. Guidance in a respect. Operational human rights due dilligence for companies guiding principle use four step process so step one, is really very much identifying the potential actually human rights impact across the whole AI life cycle really important from the design to the development.

And the step 2 is mitigating risk through corporate policies and we have heard Alex talking about the human rights governance and as well through other site at targeted actions.

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Step 3 have to track the effectiveness action they have taken and openly communicate the reasons so that is the transparency aspect human rights due dilligence. And step 4 addressing a range of human rights harm. Not measuring effectiveness. Companies should prioritize taking action to mitigate harm by the severity of impacts judged on scale and scope and remedial. Not just by conference or proximity. In that regard, regular independent human rights involving experts regional expert he's are key. Human rights are deployed around the globe. Ascension. Throughout the whole process of human rights due diligence another key aspect is stakeholder edge engagement strengthenen human rights safeguard. Record through key elements mean should not be afterthought. Companies should be gauge stockholders cocreator of responsible AI and that such dialogue should really happen early throughout the AI feedback, close by explain how stakeholder input shaped companies outcome, that engagement should really be ongoing. Shouldn't be just one of or be transactional ‑‑ one off the voice from the global majority should be elevated to really reflects truly and inclusive perspective. Resource element of stakeholder engage. Stakeholder should be resourced appropriately so they can participate.

Then report brings back forefront as well, whole business model piece. But I'm not going to go into details here. And what we note in the report in terms of transparency, about corporate practice, is that all the remain weak, there is growing number of corporate staples on human rights. Public disclosure as well about how companies actually apply human rights principles and conduct human rights due dilligence processing including human rights assessment. That overall, remain limited.

And obviously, this is especially concerning in high risk domain. Such as surveillance, migration border control steaks are high and possibility eggs exists proposing technology lead to several harms comes to the State piece. States should step up in providing guidance and in regulate AI. With regard to the own use of the technology. And here I would like to draw attention and I will post it in the chat, to another report presentationed by the working group on business and human rights go into states procuring AI and not tech companies as well procuring AI technology. Seeing new wave of technology, wave of regulation which are to some extent embeding human rights safe guard and those have been knowed before AI Act, EU Act, Korea AI Act as well.

In addition to regulation we are seeing now, flourishing, we are as well should as well think about using for the States, some policy incentive that the State can deploy. That could include embedding human rights AI focused industry or policies and welcoming conditioning public procurement and development rights performance and as well influencing technical 10 standard setting human rights by the IT lending report. Access to remedy report. Challenges comes to the arm created by AI product and service. I'm not going to go the product. Talk about AI governance I was believe my colleague Ben might be in the room. Leading the B tech engagement on the role investor. Really have to push investors public and private, to really use their influence to uphold, push tech firms to uphold human rights standard. There is investor awareness that we see growing group of you ininvestigators which are pushing. When comes tos question related to other UN initiative. With this, WSIS+20. Starts 2 weeks time in Geneva, Global Digital Compact example explicitly. Critical tool it to address human rights process. Calling for human rights impact assessment in AI policy and practice and they, as well promote cross‑sector collaboration to operationalize human risks due dilligence across jurisdiction.

I'll stop here be mindful of the time post some resources in the chat. Thank you very much.

>> MIN thu AUNG: Thank you so much. For invention. We appreciate it please do feel free to have a look at links Natalie posted in the chat. Very useful resource. For those that are physically in the room, if you two to the schedule page, you'll be able to access Zoom where you'll be able to see the links ‑‑ moving on to interventions from civil society. On this topic. Maybe over Caitlin. So we now heard from company panelist. And then UN. So at the table joined as a member of NGO constituency but you long championed agenda equality, and fairness in the design of AI algorithms. And of course you have Pioneered frameworks with AI and equality methodology and human rights tool position as well. Your experience. Where do you see opportunities for improvement in everyone rating human rights report considerations in AI due diligence. Mechanisms or he err inen is incentives go see and would be useful in existing or future laws and regulations help these opportunityment what role do you see global CSO like yourself in influencing companies and lawmakers?

>> CAITLIN KRAFT‑BUCHMAN: Thank you so much. Thank you very, very much for including us in this conversation. We began this journey actually in 2017, with OHCHR and women's rights division where we convened we just thought we were just convening several professors from ETH and HR one or two people from OHCHR. 21 lawyers showed up in room shall so fascinated this idea that gender and AI together what do they have to do with one another that alliance in a way led us to working with FAFL, doing master thesis what human rights impacts RAND creating methodology now been taught at Cambridge, technical university Munich, work with African center for technology studies in Kenya. Panel African University of Chile Center for Artifical Intelligence, sits on the Sorbonne website. Looks at UN‑based approach with the AI life cycle. Certain technologists want to do the same thing. Human rights abstract idea particularly an abstract people from North America tend to think of civil and political rights, primary human rights and the economic, social rights not really part of larger conversation. Really? Are you sure? Right to health really a thing?

So we have this design course which is really focused on design course for developers for data science majors found policymakers like as well conversation. Critical analysis. Also found is that vocabulary common vocabulary needs to sort of be implemented because policymakers are even afraid of talking to technologists and technologists don't really understand what the policymakers want. We also trying to create a space where people can have conversations because I think good people want to make this all work for the technology that's also surrounding us. Starts with designed base approach, Intentionality, understanding objective is why are you making a product, what is the impact you would like to have who should the team be, sitting around the table? When we talk about diversity, in this case, we're not only talking about diversity of gender. Talking geographic diversity and multi‑disciplinary disciplinery. Social scientists, human rights experts, anthropologists, medical application, doctors, nurses or people taking the blood. Really everybody in all the stakeholders in the life cycle have a product. We're seeing that there's a lot of siloed off inventions.

Going through there to data discovery understanding when you have data. We know for health applications for example, we never really discovered data on women's body. No less women of the global south or people of the global south. What does that mean when you're deploying at scale health aim education only has the data for very small demo demographic what is the effects of that. Are creating awareness and creating conversation. So that is really what we're focused on.

In terms of being intentional. I think Intentionality is really key in the term of our work.

We would like everyone of course, for expand beyond compliance. Notion of principles tend to think of ethical principles. Wonderful and we love them. But very ala carte. Whereas human rights framework and international human rights law has been a agreed by everybody and point of departure it really is a very good place to start as opposed to one company or one academic institutions idea of what well really should be foregrounded or not. We think that is would actually help everybody work towards really kind of systemic rebalance and maybe even using some of these products to look at the way these can be position toughly help (?) positively help instead just be deployed.

We would say that one thing want to say is opportunity, where we're also working very deeply and have for some people, is on procurement. We know that all public procurement in particular, because we know that's very large part. It's 13% of the EU GDP in developing nations. It can be up to 30 to 40% of the GDP. Really products are being deployed at scale and we think that using really interesting AI deployment levers we would maybe be able to take products that connect people to services as opposed to only detect fraud.

Right now, sort of in a negative part of like how, all of us want to save money for government it's and sever. How do we connect to better quality of life and service. That could be a lever really interesting deployment and indeed, we're working on technical guidelines questions that procures asking vendors public session. Check, yes with it. That didn't work. Compass, all of you know. But so which fairness metrics, why did you use that? Did experiment? Why do you think there was a good idea and have these conversations really sort of deeply before things are deployed. Finally say also working on human rights and AI benchmark, going to be so forth first machine learning benchmark that dealing with international human rights law framework hoping once it's put opposite on hugging face and other hula on source platforms developers machine learning experts can use to understand what they created really does match with human rights criteria international human rights law. Thanks.

>> MIN thu AUNG: Quite innovation. Very impressive. Thank you so much for that Caitlin.

So we now move to intervention from JHALAK. Before that one invention away from the Q&A session. Online pose your questions in the chat if you haven't done so already and take online questions first. In the spirit of insuring everyone online feels a part of this room.

Then move to to JHALAK. ECG funding member, of the GNI within your work tech law policy in the Global South, done extensive research exploring different sort of modalities of AI law and regulations including recent workshop that you didden AI and rule of law with South Asia judiciary members back in November.

Also been active participant as expert in the global partnership for AI, GPI and risk‑benefits of AI impact Global South sometimes different. Absent law and regulations may be in the varying capacity to enforce laws that may or may not exist different consumer patterns, and perhaps potential to impact very large populations that may have different levels of AI literacy. Or indeed, digital and media literacy.

Role of of course, role of Global South governments in protecting, user rights will be covered in GNI's policy brief. Government interventions and the AI. That I alluded to by the earlier on.

By the earlier ‑‑ interview, when creating local AI laws and regulations, or indeed adapting existing laws and regulations, in the context of AI, what can or what should Global South policymakers.

>> lawmakers, regulators ‑‑ lawmaker Rasmus Lumi companies emerging AI activities where do you see opportunities to influence inclusion of human rights in companies risk management processing ‑‑ lawmakers policies in the Global South and last but not least, taking very particular global south angle here, why is it so important for the Global South in general and India in particular?

>> JHALEK MRIGNAYANI KAKKER: There's a lot of work happening globally, human rights diligence, risk assessment cruise ship. Called global north, I think there may be there's not enough work that currently happening in the Global South or being spotlighted in Global South. Its important that work happens in the Global South is there are different socioeconomic realities, different societal context, but also, if a lot of these technologies are being developed in the north, we don't know, they could have very different implication in the south. Not being developed and designed keeping in mind those contextses.

I think which really underlines need for human rights due dilligence by companies underlying need for human rights networks designed in the Global South allow us to operationally, proactively identify risks methodical way instead of post factor reacting to harms. And it will also help regular regulators understand what are the harms are and design governance regulator risk mechanisms accordingly.

I think one of the things increasing focus among academics and civil society global south is, while at the global level, been a lot of benchmark development, taxonomy development. That has happened. I think increasingly, many of us in our context, looking at how we can build out more specific benchmarks and task on miss that more accurately cover range of risk and harms that arise in our specific context. Really is maybe first step towards enabling and effective human rights due diligence you know, exercises by companies. Many of our AI companies are global companies, so very often, a lot of their staff is global staff that is not very familiar with local context. So I think very key part for Academy and civil society various country context. To come in and start playing this role of developing benchmarks taxonomies. But also, points to need for sustained multistakeholder engagement, between companies and civil society academia on one hand, so that they can be cross‑learning, cross‑pollination of ideas, you also with government they figure out how to identify harms and conducted human rights risk assessment. 

I think it's sometimes hard to articulate what risk should be assessed for. I think we've been talkinging about how human rights framework provide great underpinning starting point for identification of risks. But what I do want to point to is there is for instance, a lot of heterogeneity within the Global South in terms of what rights are embedded in the Constitutions, extent of embedding human rights. And while it's important to pay attention to human rights framework, I think we also have to be strategic about perhaps language we are using and how we are encouraging governments in certain context to adopt certain ethical principle of frameworks and we have to think about how we approach some of these conversations and we frame these conversations so that we can reach the intended outcome and impact that we want.

So I think we really have to think about what, how other sort of question that has repeatedly come up in Indian context within which I work, is how broadly do define risks. If there is too much breadth and too much variety of risk being identified can hinder development of more specific assessment tools and method, bias, you know, if it's too specific, you lose out on the ability to allow a more broad capture of harms that may be arising as these due dilligence or risk assessments are conducted. How do you prioritize certain human rights over others? Given them affirming character and you know, I think the way particular service interacts in even within the Indian context within urban part of India, semi urban part of India, rural part of India will differ significantly. So I think even within particular country context, there will have to be various scenarios built out in terms of context that the same technology being deployed. I think there are many, many things to think about. As these risks assessments are being designed and I think it's important to keep that mind. Goes back to a point I raised earlier that, you need culturally and lingistically sensitive staff and which I mean even within the linguistics. Different parts country speaking different languages so you may need, staff involved in this, that has multiplicity of perspectives or to engage with the different challenges that emerge in those contextses.

Just close up by pointing to two points. Risk assessment human rights due dilligence, one of the criticisms is the lack often forcibility. But perhaps that is also where the value is. Because perhaps companies are more incentivized to conduct it when they know that there isn't a negative consequence. I think one of the challenge that we've seen is at what threshold to you do you ask for risk mitigation to be undertaken? How do you articulate that? That say challenge at this moment in time. Specify that threshold. Where multistakeholder become parent. What is the level of transparency we expect from companies? Level of transparency governments should require in legislation regulation they're designing because under there is a level of disclosure it's hard to really identify what challenges are emerging and what needs to be articulated more clearly to make this more meaningful exercise so that we can really ensure that AI is developing in a what I supports human rights rather than starts to impede it. >> PHILIPP SCHULTE: Thank you very much. A lot of things to consider to make that.

>> MIN thu AUNG: Thank you very much. P make sure AI development is context specific and also, considers different rights impacts within not only been the global south, in general but even going in more granule level. Granular level urban and rural impacts perhaps even. Thank you so much. We move to the Q&A part. Of our panel. I don't actually see any questions in the chat yet. Apart from questions about the links. That Natalie kindly reshared thank you for that. Perhaps moving to the room. Are there any questions from the room to our panelists? Did you have question? Introduce yourself first then a question please. Thank you.

>> Thank you. My name is PIONG from organization based in South Korea.

Left here Korea national human rights commission released human rights impact assessment tool for AI. Involved in the development. Conducted human rights impact assessment on the human rights commissions pilot system earlier this year. The process wasn't just about going through a checklist. Involves change of did I percent perspective find it very aus use it will. Tool not been widely used mainly because there is no legal application to conduct such an assessment. Of course, some companies may conduct internal risk assessment but independent assessment that includes participation from affected participants really carried out Bates Korea based basic AI law last year, sorry which includes provision related to human rights impact assessment, it only states that effort should be made to conduct them. It does not mandate them. Korea civil society group calling for mandatory human rights impact assesses for high risk system. It would be I would like to hear the panelists view on legality, legality mandating such assessment. Thank you.

>> MIN thu AUNG: Great question. Thank you so much for that. So perhaps we will propose having one company intervention at least from the question that was posted. Then mandating human rights due dilligence for AI. Context of high risk AI perhaps, and perhaps one civil society intervention at least in possible. If you want to jump in, feel free. Who would like to go first?

>> CAITLIN KRAFT‑BUCHMAN:  I'm happy to jump in. If you have human rights governance inside of company you should be doing ongoing human rights due dilligence across all of the activity in your company. That is should also apply to your AI work. One, and then 2 with respect to sort of regulations to he require human rights due diligence and specifications I will irfor high risk application areas we see that with UAI Act and many companies including mine have supported risk‑based approach which is to, mandate fundamental rights or human rights impact assessments for high‑risk applications. I think that is something that you will see a lot of support for from industry. I'm happy for the question. I think we need to focus more on impact than risk or harm really say how from the very get go what is the impact on human integrated, just heard it all the way through the objective and design, all the way through as we know, hood area which is the sort of fundamental rights impact suggestions from counselor of Europe, going to be council of Europe, more formal. Natalie speak for that, more formal, no standardized human rights impact assessment anywhere fromfully any body, so international body. From any) that hood area really brings what we've done, worked with touring did it and we brought the stakeholder part of it really way up front. And I think you that is going to he will Roa I will make a huge difference if you do have sort of multistakeholder consultation, idea of cocreation, really at the get go.

I want to say two things. Also go right to know ultimately in terms of legislation. And that right to know will be transparency what the training data is with large, once we get all the IP issues settled. Second thing explainability all levels society we can kind of understand what is happening with the algorithm and also potential redress. 

>> MIN thu AUNG: Anyone else like to intervene? Natalie, with you like to intervene as well? Perhaps talking about your impact assessment tools?

>>NATALIE: Maybe just to draw, because I didn't really go into the recommendation of the report. By indeed to the colleague, representing civil society and in South Korea with violate him to look at the recommendation we have when it comes to states. Invite him when there are regulatory requirements, requiring basically company to conduct human rights due dilligence, then it should be encouragement that it they publish human rights due dilligence and impact assessment they have implemented.

And those regulations should as well as much as possible, request companies developing and deploying AI that they verified data input and resulting output to ensure that there is proper representation in terms of he gender, race, culture, diversity, and basically, safeguards against any negative impact linked to possible discriminatory AI outputs and consequence. human rights assessment produced together with the great support of it as well GNI, part of sources listed in the session, panel, guidance specifically on generative AI. There is detailed guidance on human rights impact assessment of GEN AI. Invite colleagues look at specific guidance that we produce now by the more than year ago. 

Just comment as well to the colleague on the panel. Who mentioned India, I wanted to just draw attention that there will be AI summit in India in February. That very interesting precisely in terms of bringing global majority perspective into the discussion, documents published to focus will be on transparent around rights respecting AI development during the summit. And I think it's very welcome that after countries like U.K. and South Korea and Frances hosted those past AI summit that this summit in next February in India I believe will be really good opportunity to possibly be because there was in question as asked to me about the geopolitical context as well, I think we have seen as well Brazil developing AI regulations. And so as counter‑balanced in bracket to the developers in the he Global North.

>> MIN thu AUNG: Thank you very much. I appreciate it. We have to 2‑and‑a‑half minutes left of the two questions. If we could have the questions together if possible. Okay. Great thanks Ben. Go ahead.

>> From DSR. I think while human rights‑based approach is really necessary prerequisite, many really big pages AI will have more societal individual level. Seeing already for example shift shifts education needs to be carried out result of generative AI and people's ability to research and learn like the AI will need lead to job displacement shift in different jobs. Panel think bigger societal impacts or writings can captured human right approach or go beyond individual human rights approach to make sure we actually acknowledge all the risks come from AI.

>> MIN thu AUNG: Wonderful question. Thank you. Open it up to anyone. Thank you Richard. Anyone like to intervene there?

>> I can tell about our approach. Very good question I think. Sorry. Very good question. How we at least see it is we need to have a very comprehensive approach at Telenor. And it requires of course, taking into account human rights but it is correct as you say, arer that is not definitely not enough. We need to look at AI more broad lane, look at the impact.

>> JYOTI PANDAY: Broadly and company level. Educate train and build awareness to our employees. So all of these are essential part of in my opinion. On AI governance.

>> JHALEK MRIGNAYANI KAKKER: Agree. Two points social media platforms pointed need of societal impact assessment. Secondly, skiing human rights are being reinterpreted and group and community settings by privacy group, privacy rights over data. Reinterpretation and broadening of pores perspective human rights in the technology context.

>> MIN thu AUNG: 30 seconds remaining hike to unless anybody has any last minute must have interpretation. No. I would like to, interventions close the panel here. Thank you to panelists sharing their views. Take part. Participating online for the questions we received. So yeah, as for the IGF requirements we'll be posting summary of this on the related to session. So please feel free to read read that with that, I think everyone again ‑‑ thank everyone again. Appreciate it.

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Building Digital Policy for Sustainable E‑Waste Management.

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>> SABA TIKU BEYENE: Good morning everybody. Well many come to our session on building digital policy or sustainable e‑waste management here at the IGF 2025. My name is Saba, former MAC member as well currently serving at junior advisor at the African UN. Will be moderator at this session.

So this session we will be discussing the urgency of e‑waste management and policy you implications. Explore different global framework such as ITUs or international telecommunication UN EPR principles, as well as different national legislations promoting sustainable e‑waste management. Within states. We shall also explore the role of different actors including policymakers. IC device producers civil society and the individual users in fostering sustainability as well.

Our distinguished speakers of course will share their best practices from diverse regions on how to innovations can support e‑waste reduction as well as supply economic principle and real world impacts.

So saying this, let's quickly meet our speaker. And I will ask each one of them to previously introduce them selves will start with online, online speaker. If they are joined, first we have Emmanuel. So I will go ahead with our on site speaker. First start with HO SAN circumstances representative from Africa. I am currently MAC member and I used to be a MAC member for three years. Before. And I focus mainly on for solutions in applications. Thank you.

>> SABRINE DACHRAOUI: Thank you so much thank you for join us of we have Jasmine.

>> Thank you for having me here. Jasmine from Hong Kong personal passing and sustainable consumption and intercepting with the internet. So I'm here around now currently I am convenor Hong IGF. Former project leader equal internet invest initiative, reason that I'm being here is to brings up HR perspective food case practice and also, how my former research experience given insight from border sustainable carbon footprint measurements, methodology, into UA e‑waste. That's why I'm here much thank you.

>> SABA TIKU BEYENE: Thank you very much.

>> Thank you. Hi everyone. SA movement OIA currently US ambassador for the national anthem society and I work in the digital infrastructure. I help medium large size companies with infrastructure with business intelligence and also, WSIS sustainability and deeply engaged with sustainability. I work with diverse industry Fintech and currently AgriBIT. Helping industries manage energy monitoring and work as well as production. Thank you .

>> SABA TIKU BEYENE: Glad you are here. I will give the floor to online moderator and Rapporteur to briefly introduce themselves.

>> QURRA TUL AIN NISAR: Thank so much. My name is Qurra Tulain Nisar, Democratic Republic of Congo. I will be helping with online moderation and happy to be here. Thank you.

>> SABA TIKU BEYENE: Thank you. We have Dina, online moderator. Are you with us? Dina, are you with us? Dina? Okay.

>> DINA SANTANA SANTOS: We can proceed for now. Thank you.

>> SABA TIKU BEYENE: All right. Thank you to all of you. Now, dive deeply into our discussion. Invite each of our speakers to respond to questions which is tied to area of expertise. So you have X amount, five minutes to have space for Q&A and audience interaction. Starting with HOSAN building engage in digital policy throughout the years. What role do you really think that the technicals companies manufacturers can play in reducing e‑waste and how can those digital policies kind incentivizes sustainable design, cycling and reuse the opportunities Thank you, e‑waste is very interesting talk. Because from the end, represents key challenging especially in the developing countries at the same time, it does remnant opportunities in the same time.

So with proper actions, we can easily turn the challenge into opportunity and profit for some.

In order to be able to handle e‑waste. You need to start with awareness and then we need to have capacity‑building for the right people that are going to handle e‑waste. Then we need inincentive fighted legislation or policies that would encourage, corporate providing producing electronics to do the post implementation support and recycle or to change or to dismantle properly their goods and finally, we need to have clear regulations would be respected in the ways they are going to handle the e‑waste.

I will give you for example in Egypt, my countryment Egypt one of the major producers e‑waste annually had Africa. With estimated 370,000 tons. And projected to increase rapid technical adoption and shorter life sigh EU cycle. Generally this sector.

>> JYOTI PANDAY: Life cycle) really dominated by informant of in informal site. Large portion of e‑waste managed by former sector. Garbage dealers, waste collector it's et cetera. Mile they do recover some valuable material ‑‑ while. Involve food and safe methods. Example open burning or acid leach. Leading to severe environmental pollution and health risks for works and surrounding communities.

We had legislation 2020, 202 law 202, for the e‑waste as hazardous waste and specificken can, writing guideline for collection, recycling dispose AOL supervise factories under environment. And also, we have input restrictions input used, electronic older than five years old, completely prohibited petition e‑waste. Egypt is also, member of BASET convention, controls movement of space including e‑waste. The fact is we have limited formal infrastructure. Despite regulations, formal collection and recycling of infrastructure remains limited. Small percent generally Ray the e‑waste is formally collected and recycled majority ending up uncontrolled landfill or being informally processed. Huge awareness gap. Lack of public awareness among Egyptian householdsing proper e‑waste disposal recycling process. Many consumers' electronics or dispose them with regular trash. There is from another perspective emerging initiatives. Some initiatives are such small use app to incentivize e‑waste collects and facilitate proper disman dismantleing we need to build tool sustainability and people centered e‑waste management system initiative. Regulation and policies needed to focus on key areas. So strengthening and enforcing extensive good use responsibilities EPR is very important were to implement, oversee it, EPR scheme, legally manufacturing and reporters and retailers take the responsibility for that electronic products including collection, take back, recycling and disposal.

Need to have more producers responsibility organizations PRO, encourage them establishment. PROs that would collect and manage e‑waste. We need to have more equal design incentives. Provide incentives like tax breaks, preferential market access assess. Manufacture design product, upgradable easily recycled will minimize material and promote more.

Need to formalize former sector. Need capacity‑building and guidance. Informal collector and recyclers environmental management practices, health and safety proposed and basis business gifts. We need access technology and finance for safety, dismantle and material recovery, and provide financial support or microloans to upgrade their cooperation corporation. We need fair labor practices. Establishing resolution to prevent child labor and insure fair work conditions wages within the informal e‑waste sector.

Also, probably we need formal links between the informal collection networks and informal recycling facility, ensuring seam will he and efficient flow of e‑waste.

Of course, we need to, encourage advanced recycling facilities logistics and transportation, phoestly promoting consumer awareness an behavior change. Public education complaints are extremely important. Using various media to educate, consumers about environmental and health risks of improper waste e‑waste management. And guides them to do properly the disposal of the e‑waste. Finally, we need to foster cycle, economy. To repair and use ecosystem material recovery and reintroduction, public procurement and we need to stand and monitoring and report data collection of e‑waste influence. I think I will stop here I hope that I have given enough information for the time being. Thank you very much.

>> SABA TIKU BEYENE: Thank you very much.

HOSN for that very good intervention especially. For example, experience as well as gymnast, much appreciated. Go ahead to Jasmine. As we all know, multi‑stakeholder is IGF and I wanted to ask based on your experience over the years, can you tell us how multi‑stakeholder collaboration can really drive effective implementation of circular economy principles when it comes to digital technologies production add as well as production.

>> Jasmine: Actually, the implementation come with a timeline that you need have firstly. Emissions policy cohesion. Second come into encouraging the industry leaders, perfect civil society to have innovative and sustainable designs. Implementation on how to make sure when you launch equal design product to really put e‑waste, sorry, electronic devices in order to be more, higher responsibility to stuff from the concept when you design the product itself. Starts from how do you improve circular economy and model and mindset about the package after you launch the electronic product, also about how do you do logistic. How do you make sure your collection is efficient and recycling process is closing a loop from production to e‑waste management. Echoing what you mentioned previously. A lot of generated UA is not publicly being recycled and putting the circle that close to the loop of the circular economy.

Add to the context, policy cohesion really needs multistakeholder approach platform. That government can have, proper and sufficient consultation with academia, civil society and also, business who are like designing their electronic products. So one example that I would like to share is STEP initiative, something E‑waste platform initialed by the UN to foster research and pilot projects.

One example having this kind of policy level, like what you have mentioned previously as well about beyond expanding the EP. Scheme, eco design regulations, it's something more about the right‑to‑repair legislation. It is to empower consumers and independent repair shops to fix the device and give them second life. Expand life span. How the industry itself are when they produce, design a product, could have more interaction with the academia do the research on how to make sure that product itself is ecofriendly, this can be a collaboration are the staff network as well. Design some kind of new business model is, of course, you guys may know about the PS model, product service model about devices, self‑selling them.

In that way, from the beginning, we can already reduce consumption of electronic devices and service so that is how we can make sure that we could do like harmless environments and business setting, I think something that some business have been done in the certain level about kickback and training programs, integrity programs, iPhone, something like that, and about refurbishment and manufacturing. Kind of restoring product, like new condition. Something like that.

And lastly, back to what I mentioned as well on the logistic level and recycling collection. Logistics network itself of the how we can make sure manufacturer retail and logistical product could have closer collaborations, I think something that is initiative have been done, such as HR in Hong Kong doing something collaboration with us enterprise recycle, one of the start up and social enterprise to recycle the plastic in Hong Kong. So this kind of mull multi‑stakeholder collaboration could really, have been put for five, six years put in practice j in the begin not easy. See start up society come together not just reducing P e‑waste but also planning more local environment opportunities. Like a win‑win situation. That is some the time line that just mentioned, also some cases, according to different stage, I could share here. So I'll give the floor back SABA.

>> SABA TIKU BEYENE: Thank you very much. Jasmine for that. Wonderful intervention. Also for mentioning with about the multi‑stakeholder initiatives and how industry can support this kind of strengthen this. Also mentioned some examples coming from the Hong Kong and will, yes, as you say, need more locally environmental opportunities. So I will now go ahead with our interventions from the online speakers. We Thelma from smart Africa, give you the floor to first briefly introduce yourself to the floor. And then I will go ahead and with my question, which is from smart Africa perspective. As a leading international transition in the digital space. What best practices from different regions can really inform the development of globally aligned digital policies when it comes to e‑waste management? And how can this be adopted to local context? Over to you.

>> THELMA QUAYE: Thank you. thank you very much. Once again, my apologies. I joined in the beginning.

By way of inlow product?

A. Thelma Quaye. And smart Africa. I lead digital infrastructure, digital skills as well as gender matters.

Maybe for the purpose of those who did not know smart Africa. Panel of organizations and Africa really is on ‑‑ focus is on building single digital market. Through multi‑stakeholder approach. We have membership of about 40 countries. Over 60 second private sector. We bring that fine mix of public and private sector towards data development.

So to the question, I think start for the first time.Er are first time I saw a refurbished shop which was not black market. You could get all sort device refurbished. According to how old it is. Thought to my really good idea. Because at that time, he were grappling with how do we, how do we process e‑waste especially phones that is before every now and then we throw away every now and then because we are not good quality cheap, and then we are people are always having to replace it.

So after that, well really decided, we need to give thoughts to e‑waste. If you think about it also helps in terms of inclusivity and sustainable digital. Systems. Include about inclusivity, not only about gender, all around in terms leading those who cannot afford iter even those one of our flagship projects for context, what we do is we usually take projects according to differenter markets led by country but usually had a pan African approach.

So one of our flagship projects called affordablable devices for all led by the Congo.  For us, good opportunity to make sure we are thinking e‑waste, one as sustainable approach but also through inclusivity from the very beginning of that project, we embedded circular economy approach shows that affordability income, cost of sustainability.

He added end of life management and I believe it was at the same time that ITU was also developing a document on end‑of‑life management which we adopted. That is this would be a future concern but design from the beginning.

Permit me to share three best practices question from our region that we believe can inform global alliance digital policies on e‑waste and how we can adopt them to our realities.

For me, number one, ensure we embed e‑waste in digital access strategies. Countries have broadband strategies digital strategies, digital strategies one of the many portions of that strategies should be sure that countries are including recovery recycling and refurbishment in any of sort of plan and strategies. In this case, then becomes a policy issue and we are able to carry it forward and sustainable.

For me, number 2, really critical, is also to promote refurbishment and reuse. Just like my experience in Romania. This allows us to create secondary market for our devices. That is one. But it also generates jobs which one of our biggest problems of our government in Africa. It also helps us to reduce imports keeps value within our economy.

Device second life should happen locally. Should generate economic value. Should generate jobs. But not end up in a landfill.

Finally, it's to strengthen regulation and reharmonization very important. Especially because of the way we have a lot of people, crisscrossing our boarders. Nigeria area service for e‑waste framework, for me, one key example, how manufactures can be held accountable for the full life cycles of a device. Life cycle manufacturer, your job doesn't end when you have sold the device for instance. So I think that is something that is really talks about how manufacturers need to be held accountable. Need to follow through to the end of this device. Even if it changes.

And another example I would like to share is original one where East African Community Organization EACO, leading efforts to harmonize cause for the e‑waste rules and what does that, creates environment for coordination and also creates what key in Africa.

Often overlooked in global frameworks for us is the importance of adopting to look at repair economy driving other countries. No device you would have that you will not have somebody who can repair in Africa. Technician and skill is not a problem to be solved, but how do we extreme upscale it, solve it so we formalize it becomes part of whole value chain of device as well as e‑waste.

Then second, for me, importance or look‑up context is investing in citizen awareness. I think over the past decade, invested in a lot of teaching people how to use device, economic value, how to use it to improve their lives. Have we taught them how to care for it, extend its life, dispose of responsibly? How many of us do not have three other devices laying idly in our homes? I think that is something that we also need to focus on in terms of citizen awareness.

So as I conclude, for us, we are already building the models that locally ground on we believe global relevant. Smart Africa, thinking longterm thinking, sustainability, and this ranges from devices, connectivity to data governance and beyond. Design for sustainable from the start, e‑waste not just manageable but transformative for all of us. Thank you very much for the time and I'll be here if there is any fireworks.>> SABA TIKU BEYENE: Thank you very much, Thelma, for your interventions. You mentioned some of the examples, listening device by Congo as well as some of the initiatives in Romania. Also, some of the best practice which is first to ensure embedded EU into into accessible and promoting reuse, which can also generate job as well as economic growth, strengthening close regional collaboration which is important.

Thank you again for that.

Now go ahead and give the floor to our online speaker, Emmanuel. Thank you very much for joining first like to briefly introduce yourself and reflect upon given from your experience working, working within the ITU, which is international tech he telecommunications union.

We know that ITU making a lot of effort to address e‑waste. So how can governments as well as regulatory bodies strengthen the digital policies such as extended producers possibility or EPR and right to repair and to ensure sustainable e‑waste management? Over to you.

>> EMMANUEL NIYIKORA: Thank you so much. Good morning everyone. Sorry. Apologies for joining by the late. Got confused of the time. For that, and I that I'm able to be part of this very interesting discussion.

My name is called Emmanuel Niyikora. I'm a program officer at ITU, regional office for Africa. Based in Senegal ITU officethat covers the West Africa, and but in my work streams also work on programs that addresses the issues of e‑waste, especially extended producer responsibility efforts with countries. And I also coordinate capacities development, youth‑related activities at ITU.

So ITU, I think, has been introduced by Saba ITU is United Nations specialized agency for digital technologies, driven organization. We have over 194 members states and also plus a thousand to sector academia and international organization member states.

So when it comes to e‑waste, so e‑waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams globally. For this one, I think we all know with growing technology, according to global e‑waste monitor. We coordinating generating over 62 million tons an annually e‑waste. So when we look at we have 22% which is formally corrected in the cycled, so which means remaining 78, remain unimagined. Resulting in polluting our air, water, and land, accusing severe health risk in the process.

So we know uptick of mobile phones and laptops so behind every discarded phone and laptops, laptop hidden cost, ask ourselves when we discard our phones an laptops where that they go. I think most of us we don't know what happens after we discard our phone and laptops. So that is problem that we need to address. So this unaddressed growth of e‑waste pose it's significant risk to our environment. Also presents opportunity to transition from traditional circle economy productings are designed, used, and recycled more sustainablably. So that is where they did the ITU has been working with countries to call extended producer responsibility frameworks and policies. So we've been working with countries like Rwanda and Zambia to develop this extended producer responsibility. Workstreams.

Also now, have initiating project that is focusing on international connections bring countries together to strengthen their e‑waste regulatory frameworks. Interesting way, would countries in Africa, Nigeria South Africa and other countries like Columbia, India, that we work together to each of this. This is part of group Global South Corporation products, promote best practice, produce responsibility, sustainable financing and engagement strategies for e‑waste management study to us in Africa. Study bring toolket and JRBEK recycling company to run what is being done there. Sharing this one and this involving police toolkit, toolkit for extended producer ability. Aims to keep Africa as industry stakeholders. Involve police, public and industry stakeholders so with the tools to be inclusive in the environment areas, sound economy area, valuable economy system. This issue aligns with the work of ITU, work of ITU on hitting circular economy for electronics.

This is I could share for ITU. So extended producer responsibility aims to give this responsibility to the producers, right from when the design of the product not really but in the government, to take responsibility of e‑waste management so it should be effective efforts and giving responsibility to the producers right from the design. To take into account the recycling and disposal of e‑waste. So this way, gets, again. Circular economy creates jobs. Of course, we know that when you have the responsibility to producer, sometimes it ends up coming to the consumers, why this policy, needs again consecutive efforts between different public organizations, public institutions and private producer.

>> SABA TIKU BEYENE: Thank you so much. I would have to cut you because I'm already over time.

>> EMMANUEL NIYIKORA: Also mention involvement with youth. Working to support youth initiatives to support efforts of cycle economy and recycling of use of the product. That was my final contribution. Thank you. Back to you.

>> SABA TIKU BEYENE: Thank you very much for that wonderful presentation. Also mentions examples from different countries from the region as well as efforts done by the ITU who want to address that e‑waste management as well as talking about circle economy. Give the floor last peek around Q&A, any comment from the audience online. OASM, from your experience, working in the private sector, how do you think that different technologies such as AI as well as IOT and digital products can support monitoring enforcement innovation of e‑waste policies across industries. Over to you.

>> OUSSAMA ELMERRAHI Thank you. Are talking about e‑waste policy? Extended responsibility of the producer, we mainly focuses on legislations, stakeholder engagendment and sustainable goal. Rarely ask very important question. What systems do we actually have to make this policies work?

For me perspective, digital professional, different technologies are essential tool to translate these policies into measurable and scalable action. Let me give you simple truth. We can't manage what we can't measure to right now, the e‑waste global e‑waste system, is mostly blind. We talked about global waste monitor. World generates over 62 million matrix of e‑waste. Less than 20% is collect and recycled which mines that he with have millions of tons device of batteries of toxic components that are not accounted for.

And here comes exactly the role of AI, IOT and digital products passports. Let's talk about AI. AI can help us automate our sorting in the recycling facilities. Could help us also with the predicting which materials we can, for example, recover.

Also, we can help us forecast products failure before it's happened.

Also, it can help us predict and analyze the patterns of the global waste. Waste management. Give policymakers real ability to act with provision rather guesswork. Second IOT devices embedded with sensors and have the capacity in fact to track their own user environmental exposure and, for example, we have great example with smart bins. That is good.  Tell us and track if the bins are full. They could tell us what time of e‑waste we have inside of them.

I had the cool experience we were selling over hundreds of IOT sensors in our production sites in over 160 machines and with technology monitor realtime impacts of each machine. And lastly, maybe the most transformative tool in this e‑waste, e‑waste problem would be the digital products passport. DPP, D PP simply digital identity of a device. Which can provide us with information about the materials of this product. Could provide us with the history of repair of this product. Owner shop and most importantly, instruction. Could empower not only recyclers and manufacturers could help the users to make smarter decisions about their product it's ones that are not used.

And we see EU, European UN making great efforts and man dying for extra devices and tech slide, starting from 2027 already that's my problem here. Want to make impact. We should go further. And we should enterprise this teal tool across all borders other technologies. Other creating silos rather than data‑sharing, solutions.

Lastly, I would mentions we should not, must not overlook data responsibilityment because with increasing. Traceability, we are need clear rules about private is about ownership and accessibility all under the umbrella of digital governance practice. Back to you. 

>> SABA TIKU BEYENE: Thank you very much. You said one powerful word. Which is we can't manage what we can't measure. Of course, thank you very much for mentioning about the digital products passport product is not overlooking responsibilities focusing in that data privacy and data governance. Thank you for your inventions. Since we have only few minutes left, I will give the floor to QA. Or any comment from the floor. Of course, if you are join us online online moderator will bring your questions to to the floor.

Okay I see one question from on site. Yes. Briefly introduce yourself and social distance a question. Thank you. Ask a question. Thank you.

>> LEANDERO:  coming from NGO, but also member of ITU, study group 5, western 7 about circular economy. Sensibly chain. End of the year but still, expert. I wanted to comment that got ITU also the ITUR, sorry, ITUT, developer standards. Standards publicly available that talk about different aspects of not only e‑waste but also, circular economy. Find, for instance, one recommendation that provides guidelines for national legislation regarding e‑waste in the publication process of e‑waste collection standard, which standards are important because when it comes to develop legislation, important certain harmonization across different countries especially because electronics supply chain is global, then is global problem. And we need to global but also local regional solutions to make sure that it doesn't get worse.

And I recommend you to look at the L series of recommendations which you will find, including one recommendation about DPR, but the problem is sort of hard that I think it's not enough to only to come up with legislation regulation, but we need to act. Encouragement to explore other different ways to deal with the problem that is becoming bigger and bigger as we go.

Practical terms, for instance, couple of examples. You were talking about the DPP. In my activities side of it, since he was working on standards on DPP ITU, we are also working with civil society organizations to develop open source implementation of digital possible electronics. We have reuse.

Find code we are developing because without open source implementations we cannot really ensure that all of this, more medium size and tiny organizations innovating, need code, data to produce this information. Digitalization formalization of formal sector. Nobody in the area will be able to go from about 80% of products that disappear when they become waste to the opposite because in the end, environmental problem. Also encouragement to look at the opportunities to work on the right to repair. In different regions.

For instance, part of the right to repair EU, but encouraged different communities to create regional actors. In the end, local problem is local. Local organizations are differentment important to create environment where innovation can find community multi‑stakeholder community that can guide them to make sure that they are successful because problem deserves solutions.

Thank you.

>> SABA TIKU BEYENE: Thank you for that comment. Very much for that comment. Did we have any questions online?

>> ATHANASE BAHIZIRE: We he request from Nicklas here. Says, rapid progress in post country and reality that many existing IUTC devices cannot be adopted due to firmware and hardware limitation. Government and regulators prepare for imminent wave graphical obsolete devices to secure of life handling and enforcement on the EPR. 

>> SABA TIKU BEYENE: Thank you very much. Anyone would like to reflect? Quickly reflect.

>> JASMINE: On‑site response. You sharing work helping set by the ITU, I think good your resources for national governments, regional alliance and even grassroots community they have been care about e‑waste. Actually look into it. And thing is how I think some also mention, it's about localizing the global problem, make sure we are able to adopt and create, design something that fits into the community.

People may have different human behavior, different density, different language. How do the people bring the people great global resources back to the local. I think so. One thing I think something that is my community have been doing, trying to references to some global standards and trying to implement, challenges because it is about what we haven't mentioned more about consumer behavior and mindset. How would people be incentivized to really reducing their own e‑waste. Like but such as, choosing some product that in the ending of the life cycle creating less waste, or like really do trade in or like really to recycle their devices been using. In Hong Kong we have recycling branches or 18 districts. But we know that problem is Hong Kong people are always over time, work and then open hour of this office kind of clash to business hour. We cannot recycle weekday. So everyone has have to rush to recycle in a weekend. That create some kind of logistic problem. Being smartly involve, Hong Kong government trying to have some flexible hours on some mobile stations so not just physical store. Have a track to go different district BC office, CBD area, to cater to people really want to recycling during the office hour or lunch break. 

>> SABA TIKU BEYENE: Thank you for your reflections. Since we only have five minutes, I would like to maybe ask each panelist to share final key takeaways or share upon the comment that we made from the our on‑site participants. Something actionable in just 30 seconds or one minute maximum. Start with on site. Once again, private sector Africa, especially if I'm a talking to developing countries, e‑waste management is a real opportunity. Why? Because first of all, it can be bankable. E‑waste can be considered bankable projects. And thus, what is required for countries is to search for existing success stories of bankable projects imagining e‑waste and build those and replicate in own countries.

One thing very important for all countries to work on e‑waste is fact that e‑waste reply to many of the SDGs. I'll just name the our number SDG and then you can name itment because there are too many. SDGs 12. Target 12.4, 12.5. SDG targets 3.9. SDG 6 targets 6.3. SDG 8 targets 8.8. SDG 11 targets 11.6. SDG 14, 15 and 13. And environmentally, SDG 4, 9 and 17. Any country working on the SDGs and having a plan to achieve, this is quite important to take into consideration and to encourage having bankable projects in this area and to create proper awareness for the different stakeholders with that regard. Thank you very much, Saba. Thank you very much. .

>>JASMINE: One takeaway, considering how many devices you have and also considering what kind of more ecofriendly design product you could have. Think about how you could do more and waste less in your own personal capacity. I think that is my call to action so from my side.

>> QURRA TUL AIN NISAR: Government should invest in digital infrastructure, not just in policies. We can make the e‑waste traceable.

Second, we need, like we say, to make these global centers national standards for the product passports to make you compliant and innovation in a global scale. Lastly, I believe that we should stop receiving data. Afterthought. In fact, data is not for just transparency, but foundation of accountability as well for a key circular economic. Thank you.

>> SABA TIKU BEYENE: Thank you very much. Manual and Thelma. 

>> THELMA QUAYE: Should I go?

>> SABA TIKU BEYENE: Sure.

>> THELMA QUAYE: So thank you very much for the opportunity and I think that pest plan and how me to summarize. What they have said to say, if you want truly global digital future, we need to build one where sustainability is not afterthought. It has to be sustainably by design. And we need to be our own architect. And when it comes to e‑waste, it's opportunity to great opportunity to create to drive innovation, and show what circular circular economies can look like.

>> SABA TIKU BEYENE: Thank you very much.

Thelma and Manuel. Email.

>> EMMANUEL NIYIKORA: Thank you so much I I'll say accessible by design and it has to be, concerted approach. Private and public consultations. So in terms of when we are building EPR extended producer responsibility policies we need to involve everyone, including youth. Then to bring innovation. That is important to bring youth active in this space solution now to e‑waste, our solution now. We need to bring in innovation and talk innovation. We need to support the youth innovations in this space. That's my contribution. Then public and private bridging policies, applying policies. Africa, we know what comes in.

>> SABA TIKU BEYENE: Absolutely. Thank very much. We're over time. Like to say yes, thank you so much to all of our speakers on site and online. Also to our Rapporteur online moderator for join us and staying with us. Requirement will be posting the key summaries well as table ways on the IGF website site. Feel free to agree to to agenda and read and refer to it. That's all. Thank you.

[applause]

Upgrading Digital Governance at the local level.

Workshop 2.

¶¶

>> DENIZ SUSAR: Good morning everyone. Welcome to the workshop upgrading digital digital governance at the local level. Workshop 302. We have 60 minutes in front of us. I will moderate this session. My name is Deniz Susar from United nations department of economic and social affairs. I'll just want to give you a brief background what this workshop is about. United, our department we look at, how governments are using technology too you our United nations E government survey we look at 193 UN member states and try to measure their online progress.

This e‑government survey has been continuing since 2003. And since 2018, we also start looking at how the local level specifically cities are using on line services. In partnership with United Nations University E go. Section based in Portugal and more than with me started with four cities 2018. Most popular cities in 40 countries. Expanded to 193 cities. Getting feedback from stakeholders, we were, feedback was basically one city per country is not enough. Can we do more? And together with UNU, we developed methodology so that our application in one city can be spread to several cities in a single country.

So this partnership is open to anyone. We've done some application in various countries. For example, Brazil, India, South Korea, few of names, that come to minder. And being, today of course, today, tune east shores Iao recently applied meth doll Tunisian e‑government society. We will hear more from them. Tunisia I will ask colleagues so they can put in the chat, the link to where you can find, where you can learn more about this project. Again, we can partner as UN does with any government or nongovernment entity. We have memorandum of understanding. We signed jointly after cleared by league departments. And partnerships starts. Then the partnership starts. With that after that, we share the methodology. Give you access to the platform to the entity who is running the project. In this case, Tunisia e‑government society. Then in our methodology, at the national and local level, the portal of city or the country needs to be assessed by two people who do not know each other. So at the global level, we recreate two people in each country which is around 400 people. They assess portals and if any discrepancies, then we bring them together and you finalize the data.

The same happens at the city level. So again, I'll give example of the Tunesia government society. Number of cities in Tunisia and two people each sit and these people to the assessment. Results come to that entity and then they produce outcome document and we do outreach like this.

It's important, of course, to inform city officials about their performance. But also, to share this experience with other countries, so that they can learn from each other this is very brief introduction. To the project. And to the objective of this workshop. So we want to expand further in several countries. Our goal right now, happening in UK To together with our partner in UK is ministry of IT. And they are working together with a university. So we have two partnerships there.

I will stop here. And give the floor to Morton to explain further. And then we will hear from rest of online speak.

>> MORTON: This is a partnership not just between UNUU, local actors in the number of countries, UGES. Tunesia presenting their results later during the session. Put it into context, why local government is important. Increasely globally strategic approaches to service delivery. Service delivery in some countries mainly the mandate of central government. We see this particularly in smaller or low income emerge economies. See in that federal countries like the case of Brazil, but also in India, that local service deliveries taking place more on a state level so the regional level or local government level. So for instance, in the context in Norway, other Nordic countries, local authorities municipalities are responsible for some 80% of all service delivery to citizens and businesses.

Only 20% is central government Tunisia country decentralize process in place and it's also latest report out there. Tunesia network applications of framework. Granulates assessments from Dennis and his colleagues do every 2 year largest city in each country allows us for instance in India to say, well, we know that every two years, Mumbai is assessed. And that is benchmarked with 192 other large cities globally.

If we then do a loosely framework application within that country looking at other cities, have amplifier not only compare the proper strength and weaknesses on local government, progress service delivery line in the national context, but we can triangulate that with cities globally from the UNDEAS biannual assessment from other laws and network applications.

Naturally, local context matters. Priorities differ in different did you know countries seen partners in Korea and Brazil looked smart city related indicators. So complemented core set of indicators to be assessed from the LOSI framework with a set of smart kind related to mobility, waste, LOSI AI and so forth, to really complement that into the local context and local national priorities where the LOSI framework is coming from.  Nine reports already published roughly three countries a year. Five ongoing. So the Tunisians are considering doing a second round. Mozambique, Tanzania, Saudi Arabia, India, Korea, second round. Done the application of the framework once, but doing it again after a few years to see what progress within this larger sample of national context in which framework was developed and how it's used, and also, a little bit of background on how it is working before we hand over to colleagues. That's all for me.  

>> DIMITRIS SARANTIS: Thank you so much Morton. So now, let's turn onlinement our colleague Thomas Demetrio online from UNU. This is joint project between you UNU‑EGOV and UN DES. Appreciate the collaboration. 

>> *THOMAS DEMETRIO: Good morning. Larger methodology and brief talk from Morton regarding the use of local assessment and importance of it, country needs, I would say some insights regarding large application from our team until now.

It's a pleasure to be here the even though video. It's a pleasure.

Some perspective. Local index and potential in advancing digital going municipal level. Digital governance, as I said, also from more than Dennis. Logic plays critical role supporting achievement. Digital goals making inclusive, safe, bring resilient and sustainable.

2024 UN government survey light over 65% of SDG for targeting fall under the jurisdiction of local authorities. Make local digital governance not only irrelevant, also essential. City portals are becoming digital frontiers of municipalities residents to access to vital services, from waste management public, transportation, port to social protection and participatory budgeting, help city assess and improve service using last edition, 95 indicators across six categories since pilot, *Dennis 2018, logic has evolved singly. 2024 addition now includes all 193 United Nations members states most popular cities.

It goes further by introducing e‑government literacy in the last edition. New category. Recognizing that digital inclusion requires not just access, but also skills to engage from realtime communication tools to free wifi access point, and multilingual platforms cities are making progress but challenges remain around fundign and digital divide.

One of the findings from the 2024 survey is that national portals still tend to outperform local ones, cities with strong collaboration with national and municipal government s, as well as those with clear institutional framework score higher.

This indicates that vertical alignment and governance models are crucial for digital success. So LOSI, we can say that it is not just assessment tool. We can consider it as a framework for collaboration. Recent years, we have expanded obligation beyond the most popular cities. So thanks to partnerships coordinated by UN DES goal, countries like Tunisia, we will hear afterwards with Pakistan, Korea, Greece, India, Brazil, have implemented LOSI at subnational levels.

This decentralized digital diagnostics allows for more targeted interventions and setting and I hope to see more countries join with the LOSI network to strengthen the local digital capacities. Closing and before giving the floor to Tunisian partners, I would say that LOSI is a powerful vehicle for cities to not only advance progress, but also to learn from the other with a growing pressure on cities to deliver include service. Critical to make participatory to central government. Look forward to today's production support for cities digital.

Before giving the floor, I would invite, all participants with physical presence or online presence, to submit the questions and comments orally or written to and start to have a discussion after the presentation from commission partners. Thank you. The floor is yours.

>> DENIZ SUSAR: Thank you. I think yeah, we clearly explain to what this is about. I hope it's clear to everyone as well. Think it's time to see really action. Floor is yours. And your colleagues. If you can show us what this is about and what you get into Tunisia.

>> SABRINE DACHRAOUI: Thank you. I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to our partners at the UN DES and UNU‑EGOV unit making this session possible. The IGF secretary as well for believing in session topic as well as audience for joining us today.

Talking to Tunisia before we begin the presentation, allow me to introduce myself and my colleague. My name is Sabrine Dachraoui, project coordinator. Here with my colleague to share the latest updates and grades implemented at the local level.

Before this session, we will focus mainly on two parts which represents the two most critical phases of the project of the project.

At the next slide, you will find a key message of our session. I don't know if the audience can see on the screen.

>> SALSABIL YAKOUBI: Yes, we see.

>> SABRINE DACHRAOUI: Seeing the screen moving to next slide.

>> SALSABIL YAKOUBI: Still at first one.

>> SABRINE DACHRAOUI: Okay.

>> SALSABIL YAKOUBI: Yes, now we see.

>> SABRINE DACHRAOUI: Now we can see. Okay, if we can go back just quickly to key messages. Before I leave the floor to you to present the rest of the presentation. 

>> SABRINE DACHRAOUI: Good.

>> SALSABIL YAKOUBI: Official partnership with the United Nations slide.

>> SABRINE DACHRAOUI: First box. Move to the first part.

>> SALSABIL YAKOUBI: Make you can continue explaining while the slide is come being on.

>> SABRINE DACHRAOUI:  no problem. Share from my slide. I'll share from my slide so I don't know if the audience can see the screen moving.

>> SALSABIL YAKOUBI: Yes. We see now the first, now we see the key messages. Please continue.

>> SABRINE DACHRAOUI: Okay. In this presentation. Maybe focusing on two places of the LOSI project or LOSI implementation Tunesia addressing MDG municipal government portals using LOSI framework.

Second phase improving municipal website using LOSI‑based approach. So for the LOSI application in Tunisia and before I go ahead and introduce, I will like to give quick introduction about our society.

Our name is Tunisian E‑governance Society, nongovernmental organization. Practicing for 10 years now. These are some of the our vision, our mission and our goals. So we focus on transparent intelligent and participatory government model. Smart government develop innovative policies and we focus on using technology focus, open data, and smart governance.

Also are also involved other initiative, not just initiatives, not just a LOSI assessment or engage in LOSI project. Also have other initiatives. Civil society with academia and with other tyes. We have here open geode hackathon. Diverse summit. Our participation in the open government week. We presented our evaluation for ministry portals as well.

So we also have three recently publications international publications to our record. In March last year, we signed memoranda of understanding from our partners at the UN DES just to highlight our collaboration on the LOSI methodology, its obligation in Tunisia.

Of course, we've been, have achieved significant milestone in implementing project in Tunisia. Timeline for our achievements stated as govern last year inventory South Africa. Also published our report which you can find in the official website of the UN DES.

Participation last year in the geography through, open forum with our partners as well as UN DES and UNU. Recorded webinar, presented our findings about the LOSI application Tunisia. Quick overview about let's say our team structure. We have the project manager, review experts who taking care of review phase and we have our assessors.

This is just to give you a quick overview about the expertise we have in the team. I believe with our friends present to you first phase and second phases of our LOSI project.

>> SABRINE DACHRAOUI: If you finish around 15 minutes, give some time for questions.

Thank you. We're going to start, presenting our phase one which was basically evaluating the school website using LOSI framework.

So here we have the time line for our LOSI project. Detailing key phases throughout 2024phases where we began the project and signing the UN in March and this was followed by scope definition and comprehensive team training in April and May, data collection July, assessment reviews conducted in August, crucial phase of result in analysis and report developments and from August to September, culminating in the presentation of our finding in November, and this structured approach ensured like thorough a systematic application of the LOSI framework.

>> SALSABIL YAKOUBI: Group primary goal portal material created by assessment process final list of municipal portals to accessed then teams are assigned and pairs to municipalities preassessment phases involves two key steps. Reviewing e‑local toolkit of government to understandings of ranges indicatorrers and criteria and secondly, thoroughly understand questionnaire and the LOSI indicators. Explain and instruction column. Finally, assessment involves filling out LOSI questionnaire by scoring each evaluated indicator in the municipal government portal with a simple yes or no. 

So here we're going to try to just give you a quick demonstration of how that would work. So we just picked three indicators for which belonged to content provision category. And starting off with like just show you brief overview how the assessment goes.

And for example, for number 222, MGP present list of service provided by the municipality. Pulled up municipal portal in Tunisia and go to services, civil service status, and we will find different kind of services they have and more information about that so that is satisfies that criterion.

Then for example, information about municipality history demographics, graphical region, economy, tourism, et cetera. Find that in if we go to city of *SUX definition city do find the information. So that indicator is satisfied as you can see here.

Then last criteria, last indicator that we wanted to show available of the portal different languages. So for example, here we can switch from English to French. And basically, we reiterate that process with all the 95 indicators in all six categories and at the end, calibrate the score. If it exists, 0. Doesn't ‑‑ sorry, exist. Doesn't exist at 0. Exists is one. Then score divide by the total number of indicators which is 95. Just very brief overview how the assessment process works.

Going back to our presentation here, we reiterate the similar like basically talking about. 2024 version introduces significant new criterion. E‑government literacy or ELI mentioned. Cross all distinct criteria include institutional framework with six indicators. Technology with 12, content provision with 30. Service provision with 22. Parts to patience engagement with 15 and new e‑literacy with 10 indicators. Scoring method is again binary indicater is used value of one exists in municipal portal and 0 if it's missing.

All scores were each city are then divided by the total number of indicators 95 to produce the scores are 0 to 1. Lower scores are then used to identify digital maturity level of each municipal Catagorized prized very high for between 75 and 1. High between 025 to 074, middle between 025 to 049 and low for 0 to 024. Structured approach allows for clear and quantifiable assessment for digital maturity.

So this slide details geographical and demographic scope of our assessment. So our study actually covers all 24 governments of Tunesia 24 municipalities. Tunisia broad coverage allows for comprehensive understanding e‑governance across country local level. And this slide presented overall LOSI results of the evaluated municipality. Observe that 37 of the munition municipalities.

>> DENIZ SUSAR: Can you go full screen to see the whole slide? Your screen is it possible? 

>> DIMITRIS SARANTIS: We just speaker mode now.

>> DENIZ SUSAR: It's better.

>> SALSABIL YAKOUBI: Go back to the talking about the Tunisian results and so these are the overall results. And as mentioned 37% them is specifically 911 Out of 24 between and middle group. Conversely, larger portion or 63% of 15 municipalities, 15 municipalityings fall into the low group. This indicates significant opportunity for improvement in digital maturity across many of Tunisia municipalities and so we have chart visually represents distribution from LOSI index from 0 to 100% categories low, middle, high, very high. Most of Tunesia municipalities low and middle ranges.

So this slide provides more granular view of LOSI scores highlying top three municipalities for each criteria gone service provision content provision, and lastly tech. And these results indicate varying streams across different aspects of e‑governance among municipalities. This is basically continuation of our analysis. Of the LOSI scores for criterion for literacy. Outstanding performance from these municipalities all achieving perfect 100% actually comes to e‑literacy. Highlights strong visual literacy initiatives in those areas. Participation, and engagement, additional framework criterion top performance and these detailed break down to the top performers, help us pinpoint specific areas for improvement within each municipality guiding target intervention for improvement.

As for our recommendation, based on our findings found several to improve the e‑governance in the Tunisian municipalities. Firstly, to advance digital services we recommend establishing responsive communication channels through advanced it technologies and leveraging citizen he in service digitalization and secondly, to improve contact provision, municipalities should develop user‑friendly interface provide thorough statistical data, update governmental portals user statistics and other multi‑lingual content. Thirdly, framework of instructions involving strengthening open data policies to promote transparency and addressing gaps in privacy regulations right to access government information, obviously building trust and accountability with citizens, enhance technology features, advance search features, easier contact navigation. Improving users ask questions and desk numbers. Engage municipalities to higher maturity, second phase more near to toy action. They're toy action. Aim to improve municipal websites using LOSI‑based approach.

So we now transition to the second phase using, this is initiated in March 2025, which builds upon the insights game from our initial valuation and focusing on implementing targeted improvements to enhance digital maturity of municipal online service. Online service begin to translate into tangible actions and our current project is actually focused on improving municipal websites.

And the goal of the initiative is to multi‑faceted to leverage research from the first phase, increase partnership between local government and Civil Society and improve municipal parcel accessibility for user experience and promoting digital inclusion at the local level.

Outputs will include training municipal members how to conduct own website evaluation and producing highly improved scores project timeline, which began in March with scope definition and team structure, followed by finding a quick fix in April. And then preimplementation phase in May with implementation phase taken place in June. And limitations lessons learned. Recommendation and final report publication will soon follow.

This initiative involves checking portal before and after of updates, identifying problems in access, speed, and ease of use, improving structure, and ultimately making it easier for people to use. And this collaborative effort with Tunisian municipalities very, very crucial fora enhancing digital governance.

So for our scope definition which is a crucial step for this second phase of our project, we clearly define scope, which ensures that our efforts are targeted and effective in remoting municipal websites based on LOSI framework.

This involves identifying specific aspects of website to be addressed in expected outcomes defining scope for improving municipal websites, established clear criteria directing municipals we want to be working with.

With this criteria include geographical low internet governance in LOSI core and responsiveness to collaboration. For selecting, results priorities given to municipalities with low LOSI score is specifically ranging from 0 to 24% indicating greatest need for improvement and we also have location based meeting method with onsite meetings for municipalities outside of the region and online meetings for those within. Like more for the end, communications facilitated through phone call emails. Systematic approach ensures focus on efforts on where they are most needed and we did have greatest impact.

So actually, for the next step and crucial improvements strategy, involves item defined and prioritizing any impactful changes that can be implemented to enhance the municipal website. Quirky fixes address to finish phase. Quick fixes framework classifies indicators are into three category here on the screen based on their complexity and aiming to improve the municipalities score.

It's important to clarify that the classification is based on general complexity of the capacity of the task national perspective not currently available for practice at the national level, and we have three categories, as I previously mentioned, which are easy adjustments. Moderate adjustments and hard adjustments framework allows us to prioritize and implement changes effectively starting with the adjustments and most impactful adjustments.

>> DENIZ SUSAR: Conclude 2 minutes.

>> SALSABIL YAKOUBI: Sure. Preimplementation phase, we undertook several key steps to initiate collaboration with stockholders, conducting mapping outreach, identifying key municipalities. Secondly, perform profiling checking conceptual data drafted standardized partnership framework and aligned our shared goals, engaging municipalities findings and improvement priorities, formalized collaboration, launching pilot implementation discussion which we'll go over now.

So actually, our chosen pilot is city has a LOSI score of 30.52 placing middle category which is moderate for maturity. Room for significant improvement and as you can see here on the screen, this is how they score for their LOSI for each category on their LOSI scores. 

And here, this is a breakdown of all the missing indicators in this service provision and categorize identification based on the quick fixes framework content provision. See a lot of easy adjustments and for institutional framework with only one missing for engagement and participation, e‑government literacy technology.

And so here, we have basically our approach to implementing quick fixes based on batches. And starting with small group of 8, this allows to validate facility of implementation insuring our promote changes our practical achievement, and demonstrating improvements as possible with minimal time cost and technical requirements building trust step‑by‑step with municipalities. We chose this method to enable impact and keep the collaboration manageable with municipalities maintaining communication and, of course, since our work protecting voluntary resources limited capacity.

As a quick example, these are the suggested batch for the first batch. These are the suggestion based for service provision and for content provision, branches, institutional framework. See actually suggestion that we made at that municipalities reflect on unmunicipal websites after the first batch. Score jumped from 30 to 39%, still placing it in the middle the category, but still, we have the proof of concept this does work. This is the score we anticipate implementing efficiencies categorized for the municipal. Could jump above 50%, place municipality portal in the high category challenge. We encountered several from the lack of formal engagement channels. Often unclear who to contact.

From the initial contact, trust building. We had to introduce LOSI framework from its inception and whole build credibility. Of course, we have limited resources on both sides, but we did tackle that strategic outreach as we used all our network.

We also prepared documentation such as partnership document, and one‑pagers outlining goals, roles, and expectations and, of course, with consistent follow‑up meeting regular friendly communication to keep them engaged. So we keep them engaged, recommend using existing networks and providing clear materials, and most importantly, maintaining ongoing communication with local partners have to balance participation with realism. Easy fixes first. Doing it in batches.

So way forward, as we look at it, we do see looking ahead proposing several strategies to advance e‑governance in Tunisia advocating civil society organizations to collaborate closely, to municipalities assist in collections, publication of central data and fostering BPP for crucial e‑service explanation, encouraging co‑developments to central online servicer around of course, we believe in collaboration with other countries interesting in applying LOSI methodology. Provide valuable insight and exchanges about the best LOSI application. Emphasize importance of collaboration with the private sector for technological upgrade. Partnership can provide expertise and infrastructure development needed.

And thank you everyone for your attention. We hope that the presentation provided valuable insights into the application of LOSI in Tunisia and efforts, enhance digital municipal governance local level and we're open to questions and further discussions.

>> DENIZ SUSAR: Thank you. Thank you so much. I think this was very helpful. Congratulations for your efforts in this project, note only applying but giving guidance to the officials. Very much appreciated.

A little bit time now for questions. I'm just following the script given to me. Before, I also mentioned that we are applying LOSI in UK right now. I want to just say two minutes about that. Appreciate it. Then we can get questions for everyone.

>> EREN K TABURUN: Audio coming through.

Thank to you everyone that helped organize IGF as well as my colleagues from UN DES. I work alongside Dennis in New York. Sure you guys don't envy being in Oslo when the New York is about 40 degrees Celsius past three days, so enjoy the weather in Oslo as well as other amazing sessions in IGF.

Meantime. So as Dennis mentioned, I work on the UK application of LOSI methodology and I think overarching theme, that you touched upon really want to highlight brief input working together, is more important than ever in this digital world especially when it comes to improving government services. And as far as I can tell so far, it's still in progress.

UK does seem to be alongside Tunisia leading in this area. Allocation of this LOSI methodology in UK really shows how innovative partnerships can improve everyday experiences, local government, and in many cases, leveraging university students' collaboration of national as well as local municipalities.

I think LOSI and UN provide bridge to be able to turn this in a conduit to improve people's everyday lives through, like I said, digital service providers with local government.

What I like about LOSI focus on the practical cooperation, measures how effective local government websites are and encouraging groups, parties, involved to share their ideas and strategies, and teamwork that is integrated within the methodology itself results in online services that are easier to use, more transparent, and truly more reflective of people as needs on ground.

Main point here is simple. We work together and collaborate cross‑functionally. Just like with LOSI, stronger more accessible service. And UK just like with Tunesia provides further example of how entities can work together to deliver results because that is how we'll continue to deliver real improvements for our communities everywhere.

>> DIMITRIS SARANTIS: Thank you. Thank you so much.

>> DENIZ SUSAR: Can you ask how many cities in UK just quickly. We cannot hear you. You're muted.

>> EREN: I was asking how many cities did you apply in UK?

>> DENEZ SUSAR: We will go back for any questions online or anyone here from the audience, please. I don't see any questions.

>> DIMITRIS SARANTIS: I don't see any questions at the moment. I will invite once more participants to submit the questions in the chat. Have some time to respond to comments or questions.

I would like to make just a small comment on the presentation of Salsabil Yakoubi. I would say that this is a very good example, very good case of using LOSI methodology improvement for framework for local government because I knew that they have done very good work in assessing municipalities in Tunisia.

Not aware, for the next step, they went Tunisia. See now, partner went step forward so using results from LOSI applications to really not only improve local government, but also to assess methodological steps to do that. Really surprised categorization of improvements steps in clusters is east medium and more difficult to be implemented. Very interesting because gives this easy win‑win and opportunity to local governments to design quickly and successfully improvements in the local e‑government website. 

Also, this interaction that Tunisian partner government society has with local government authorities to apply the results of LOSI application in government very interesting.

So these are some comments that I have to do on the presentation and I will pass the floor to Sabrine.

>> DENIZ SUSAR: Get one more question from here from the audience, and then we'll get back to you. Thank you. Please. Gentleman here.

>> STEVEN McTALL:  Thank you. My name is Steven McTall from Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. My question is about the term local government. What is the scope of size because city like Oslo could be called local government, or city with 2 or 300,000 people might be called local government. Very different sests of resources and size of citizens population you're dealing with.

>> DENIZ SUSAR: I think answer that one. So when we started this project, in order to cover as many people as possible, we started with the most populous city in each UN member state, so it is not the capital usually. People confuse with that. But for example, New York City in US, but we know US has 50 states. Very challenging to define.

But when Tunisian colleagues apply, the methodology Tunisia, they choose each region. When we did in Brazil application, in Brazil, I think 50 states, they chose largest city in each state plus capital city, so there is some flexibility there to extend. The name doesn't really reflect application. So we are focusing on more opposites.

May complex that. LOSI metholodolgy colleagues like Demetris go and advise how to apply methodology. Specific country, we often suggest sort of having a balanced approach. So when we talk about local government in the UK, call it council, Denmark we call it municipalities, the other countries have different names for that. So but to try and find either group of similar cases so you can compare, like as we say in academia, or try to get a representative sample because in most cases, we can't unfortunately assess every single local authority in that country.

You also see that in some cases, this city may not represent the whole metropole. Copenhagen City of some almost 2 million people metropole, but municipal itself, Copenhagen is 700,000 people. Copenhagen, but the average size of the municipality in Denmark is about 55,000. So again, something we advise on, but It depends on the partner in terms of their resources and their strategic focus, but it's then captured in the report what the case selection was and what the process forms are.

>> DENIZ SUSAR: Thank you very much.

>> DIMITRIS SARANTIS: Thank you for the question. Back online, you had a question, or Sabrine, you wanted to say something?

>> SABRINE DACHRAOUI: I don't know if we actually have the questions, but thank you Steven for the intervention. That was actually a very interesting question. 

Our partners actually addressed the question very well. With that said, I would like to emphasize some point before we leave the floor for Deniz and Morton closing remarks, but apparently running out time.

The main reason why we are here today at the IGF doing this session is because we believe in the potential of joining forces. That said, our workshop is under the subtheme of digital cooperation. As it's communicated and it refers to the collaborative efforts between governments, private sector, civil society international organizations, all parties moving together to address global digital challenges.

Some of the policy, let's say, questions that we wrote in the descriptions, go through them very briefly, as I said, role of civil society and private sector. One of the significant takeaways from the Tunisian case study is the indispensable or important role of civil society. So we take us as example, Tunesia. Government society let LOSI assessment highlights Civil Society organization, deep understanding of local communities can serve as crucial bridges between citizens and governments. independently collect data, assess services, provide valuable feedback, they can help governments identify gaps in areas of improvements to support governmental efforts. That's a powerful model for advancing digital local governance especially when governmental resources are limited.

Next is role of international organizations and best practices scope can, scoop, sorry, for our people who would like to collaborate with us. Like to say international organizations like UN DES and UNU‑EGOV play a vital role. Provisions methodology, guidance and support offers framework standards for global perspective best practices.

Important note is that I know change can be challenging at the some point. We want changes fast in local government especially in our digital transformation journey. That's why addressing challenge in digital transformation requires a flexible approach. This is what we were trying to apply in our second phases. We invented quick fixes framework. We wanted to apply flexible approach seeing longterm.

>> DENIZ SUSAR: Just if you could conclude. We have four minutes only.

>> SABRINE DACHRAOUI: Okay. I want to conclude. Next 15 seconds.

Okay. As society, want to emphasize our openness to collaboration. Our team brings together experts across multiple disciplines from technical implementation to policy design as well giving unique holistic perspective digital government challenges.

>> DENIZ SUSAR: Thank you. If you can give two minutes to start concluding the session. Your points are well taken and very to the point.  One minute. One question from the audience, from the participants.

>> DIMITRIS SARANTIS: From accessible project for the person with disabilities.

>> DENIZ SUSAR: If you can respond to that in the chat.

>> DIMITRIS SARANTIS: Wanted to put some of the findings of the Tunisian case into global perspective. Key weaknesses for the Tunisian municipalities are not provision of information online. It's more about transactional service. This is where these findings also have a role to national policy and the role of national government in providing key enabler or digital transactional services like electronic identification, digit signatures, providing also a national set of policy and technical components to enable and empower local authorities to deliver service online. Not just information.

This is something we see not just being a challenge in emerging economies global rich north, federal countries, for instance, don't have national infrastructure identitier or signatures. Case in Canada and UK for instance that becomes a barrier for transactional service delivery and transactional developments. So local framework cannot work exclusively in isolation. It is linked to also national policy priorities enablers directly given to the national government. Interesting outcome of Tunisia in a regional perspective.

>> DENIZ SUSAR: Thank you so much. That was more than. Sorry for the rush. We have 2 minutes. Accessibility question. Another one we have relevant associated features with those. Taking those and I appreciate Dimitris responding in the chat.

Just to say a few words in conclusion, I think Sabrina's remarks was really to the point. So here at the IGF, UN Secretary General's Forum on Internet Issues. Brings technical community private sector, civil satellite, and of course governments together. Project was a very good example of that.

So with the Tunisian e‑government society leading this initiative, so we are reaching out to local government officials, but we are also creating collaboration.

I think second part of your presentation is innovation. You are building on existing on existing methodology and further expanding it similar to our national and local e‑government toolkits really highlighting and I think this will be very good example for other countries to pick from here and learn from and I think it will definitely help others so I just wanted to thank you for that and conclude this session here and the recording will be available online. And I'm sure, Sabrine, people interested will be in touch with us. So thank you very much especially to the Tunisian E‑government Society for this excellent session.