Summit of the Future No 10: Co-facilitators for a Global Digital Compact set out preparatory process

The co-facilitators for a Digital Compact, Ambassadors Anna Karin Eneström of Sweden and Chola Milambo of Zambia, appointed by the President of the UN General Assembly in October 2023, have sent a letter setting out the time frame for the negotiations on a Global Digital Compact (GDC). 

In it they clearly state they are “committed to ensuring open, transparent and inclusive consultations with Member States, as well as relevant stakeholders” on elaborating a GDC which would be annexed to the Pact for the Future, if intergovernmentally agreed.” 

In preparation for the intergovernmental negotiations, which are likely to take place in the second quarter of this year, they are planning to “convene informal consultations” with Member States and observers on 12 February and relevant stakeholders on 13 February. They will send out guiding questions in advance and Member States, observers, and stakeholders will be invited to listen to each other’s exchanges. Arrangements will be facilitated for online participation. 

Once they have heard from both sides, they will share their initial thoughts on the structure after these meetings. There will then be a second round of informal consultations for Member States and observers on 29 February and stakeholders on 1 March. Member States, observers, and stakeholders may then submit written input by 8 March as part of their preparation of the zero draft of the Global Digital Compact. Information on submitting inputs for Member States and observers will be "via the-Submit module shared by the Secretariat via e-deleGATE."

It is the co-facilitators’ intention to circulate the zero draft by the end of March. The intergovernmental negotiations will then be arranged as follows:

The co-facilitators wish to “thank Member States, academia, the private sector, the technical community, UN institutions and the full range of civil society for their valuable engagement through the previous session of the General Assembly, leading up to the preparatory Ministerial Meeting on the Summit of the Future on 21 September 2023. All the contributions that have already been submitted during our process will inform the consultations and drafting process.”

They also have taken note of the plans for  the UN Civil Society Conference in Nairobi, Kenya in May 2024 on the Summit of the Future, stating that “its outcome could serve as consolidated input for Member States’ consideration for the Pact for the Future, including a Global Digital Compact.”

In conclusion they expressed their thanks in working together “to achieve a meaningful and transformative Global Digital Compact with the aim to strengthen digital cooperation, including in relation to Artificial Intelligence, close the digital divide and ensure an inclusive, open, safe and secure digital future for all.” Further questions about the roadmap, can be addressed to their experts, Ms. Agnes Julin from the Permanent Mission of Sweden (agnes.julin@gov.se) and Mr. Moses Jere from the Permanent Mission of Zambia (moses.jere@grz.gov.zm).