Summit of the Future No 18: Global Digital Compact second informal consultations

Ambassadors Anna Karin Eneström of  Sweden and Chola Milambo of Zambia, Co-facilitators for the Global Digital Compact (GDC), in their letter of 23 February provided information on the second informal consultations to be convened on Thursday 29 February with Member States and observers, and on Friday 1 March with stakeholders.

The consultation for Member States and observers will be held in-person in the Trusteeship Council Chamber and will also be webcast. The consultation for stakeholders will be virtual from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm (New York time). 

Interventions from groups and coalitions will be limited to five (5) mins and those from individual institutions, organizations, companies, participating in their personal capacity to three (3) mins. 

Member States observers and stakeholders delegations are invited to listen to each other’s exchanges.

To register to speak or participate in the stakeholder consultation, please use the following link https://forms.office.com/e/pE5CkVe6ZZ. (Please note that the list may close at least 24 hours before the virtual session.)

To submit written inputs by the deadline of 8 March, stakeholders should use this form: http://tinyurl.com/mwzkfs3b

Based on the inputs from the previous session, together with the inputs and comments during these consultations, and the possible structural elements, a zero draft will be presented to Member States on 5 April, having been circulated in advance.

Possible elements of a Global Digital Compact

as from the letter of 23 February

I Preamble (elements as identified during the informal consultations)

• Recognition of the immerse potential of digital technologies and the need to harness benefits and mitigate risks for the benefit of all
• Reaffirmation that the foundations of strengthened digital cooperation, including governance of emerging digital technologies, are the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Agenda 2030
• Recognition of the role of the UN in fostering strengthened digital cooperation

II Principles, as identified during the informal consultations

Digital cooperation could be guided by the following principles:

1. Close the digital divides, including gender divides
2. Accelerate achievements of all the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
3. Promote and protect human rights
4. Advance an inclusive, open, safe, digital future for all
5. Encourage innovation and participation to unlock the benefits of the digital economy for all
6. Advance inclusive access, including knowledge, research and capacity, to digital technologies 
7. Promote responsible and accountable development, and mitigate risks, of digital technologies including AI
8. Promote responsible and interoperable data governance
9. Be agile and adapt to emerging and future technological change, including AI
10. Recognize the role and responsibility of governments, as well as private sector, civil society, and the United Nations and other international organizations within their respective mandates [Geneva Declaration of Principles and Plan of Action, 2003]

III Commitments and Actions, as identified during the informal consultations

Greater digital cooperation must deliver tangible benefits to all anchored in the protection and promotion of human rights. We commit to: 

1 Closing the digital divides and accelerating progress across the SDGs

Areas of potential commitments, actions and resources

• Achieve universal, affordable and meaningful connectivity
• Invest in literacy, skills and capacity-building
• Accelerate access to digital technologies and innovation
• Promote digital pubic infrastructure for inclusive development

2 Fostering as inclusive, open, safe, secure digital space

Areas of potential commitments, actions and resources

• Promote a universal, free, open, interoperable, safe, reliable and secure Internet
• Ensure that human rights are protected online and offline
• Advance digital trust and safety, including specific measures to protect women, children, youth and persons in vulnerable situations against harms
• Promote information integrity and address misinformation and disinformation

3 Advancing data governance

Areas of potential commitments, actions and resources

• Protect data privacy and security
• Foster representative, interoperable and accessible data exchanges and standards
• Promote safe, secure and trusted cross-border data flows

4 Governing emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, for humanity

Areas of potential commitments, actions and resources

[Placeholder pending ongoing discussions]

IV Follow up and Review, as identified during the informal consultation

Follow up and review could:

• Monitor implementation and review progress against commitments
• Advance knowledge-sharing, best practice and access
• Promote coherence and coordination among stakeholders
• Foster partnerships, including south-south, triangular and public-private partnerships
• Be inclusive and transparent
• Build on existing mechanisms and avoid duplication