Session
Ms. Sorene Assefa, Cybersecurity & Digital governance Expert, UNECA
Presentation
- Ms. Sorene Assefa, Cybersecurity & Digital governance Expert, UNECA
Panellists
- Gitanjali Sah, Strategy and Policy Coordinator – ITU
- Hon. Minister Emma Theofelus - Minister of Information and Communication Technology - Namibia
- Ms. Anriette Esterhuysen - Senior advisor, the Association for Progressive Communications (APC)
- Adil Sulieman, Senior Policy Officer, Telecom and ICT, AUC
- Jimson Olufuye (KONTEMPORARY)
- Hon. Alhagie Mbow, Vice Chairperson of APNIG - The Gambia
- Mariamawit Ayele (UNECA)
Dr. Mactar Seck (M) – Chief of Technology and Innovation Section- UNECA
Ms. Sorene Assefa, Cybersecurity & Digital governance Expert -UNECA
Ms. Sorene Assefa, Cybersecurity & Digital governance Expert- UNECA
1. No Poverty
2. Zero Hunger
3. Good Health and Well-Being
4. Quality Education
5. Gender Equality
6. Clean Water and Sanitation
7. Affordable and Clean Energy
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
10. Reduced Inequalities
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
12. Responsible Production and Consumption
13. Climate Action
14. Life Below Water
15. Life on Land
16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
17. Partnerships for the Goals
Targets: The Global Digital Compact aims to accelerate sustainable development across all the SDGs.
Roundtable
The panel discussion and launch session will be moderated by two individuals, one onsite and one online, and will feature a total of six discussants, with representation both onsite and online. Africa’s Contribution towards the Global Digital Compact (GDC) Policy Declaration - https://www.uneca.org/eca-events/sites/default/files/resources/document…
In 2021, UN Secretary-General António Guterres launched the Common Agenda, a visionary initiative aimed at creating a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable world. The Common Agenda addresses urgent global challenges, including climate change, poverty, inequality, human rights, and peace and security. A central component of this initiative is the Pact for the Future, which seeks to turn these aspirations into tangible actions through collective commitments and practical steps.
A central component of this initiative is the Pact for the Future, which seeks to turn these aspirations into tangible actions through collective commitments and practical steps. The Pact includes the Global Digital Compact (GDC) and the Declaration of the Future. The GDC is a proposed international agreement focused on fostering a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable digital future. It highlights the transformative potential of digital technology in advancing global goals.
In September 2024, the Pact for the Future, including the GDC and the Declaration of the Future, was formally adopted during the Summit of the Future. This milestone represented a significant step in addressing the world’s pressing challenges and advancing sustainable development.
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the African Union (AU) played crucial roles in shaping the negotiations, ensuring Africa's priorities and perspectives were well represented. The AU's efforts emphasized digital governance, cybersecurity, digital inclusion, and addressing the digital divide.
Objective
This session will explore actionable strategies for effectively translating the global commitments of the Pact for the Future and the GDC into concrete actions at national and regional levels. Key areas of focus will include the mechanisms required for capacity building, resource mobilization, and establishing robust monitoring and accountability frameworks for successful implementation. Additionally, we will discuss how the GDC’s implementation aligns with the outcomes of the WSIS+20 review and its implications for global digital governance.
Report
Meeting Summary: Global IGF 2024
Session Title: Digital Governance in Africa: Post-Summit of the Future
Date & Time:
Wednesday, 18 December 2024, 14:30 - 15:30
Venue: IGF Village Stage, 19th Annual Internet Governance Forum
Background
The session built upon the momentum of the Summit of the Future, held in September 2024, where the Pact for the Future, including the Global Digital Compact (GDC) and Declaration on Future Generations, was officially adopted. The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the African Union played pivotal roles in ensuring that Africa's priorities, including bridging the digital divide, advancing digital inclusion, and promoting equitable global governance, were prominently featured in the GDC and related frameworks.
Session Objectives
The session focused on the post-summit implementation of the Global Digital Compact (GDC) at national and regional levels, with the following key objectives:
- Translating Global Commitments: Turning global digital governance commitments into localized, actionable strategies for Africa.
- Innovative Solutions: Identifying innovative solutions to overcome political, financial, and technical barriers to implementation.
- Capacity Building: Establishing mechanisms for capacity building and resource mobilization in low- and middle-income countries.
- Inclusive Stakeholder Engagement: Promoting inclusive stakeholder engagement frameworks to ensure collaborative execution.
- Aligning with Global Frameworks: Aligning the GDC with other frameworks, including Agenda 2063, SDG 2030, and WSIS+20, to maximize synergies and avoid duplication.
SESSION HIGHLIGHTS AND CALLS TO ACTION
Key Challenges and Opportunities
Speakers collectively emphasized the need to address critical challenges, including connectivity gaps, social exclusion, cybersecurity threats, data governance issues, financial and governance deficits, and gender disparities. They identified bridging the digital divide, particularly in underserved areas, and empowering youth and women through digital skills as crucial steps toward unlocking the potential of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for socioeconomic development, agriculture, climate resilience, health, and education.
- A multistakeholder approach to foster collaboration among governments, the private sector, and civil society.
- Strategic investments in digital literacy and energy infrastructure as key enablers of ICT growth.
- A shift from planning to implementation, with costed strategies for digital initiatives.
Localized Implementation Strategies
Speakers emphasized the importance of tailoring global digital governance commitments to Africa's unique socio-economic and infrastructural contexts. They called for the development of context-specific action plans at national and regional levels to ensure relevance and impact.
Innovative Policy Solutions
Speakers urged policymakers to adopt flexible regulatory frameworks that enable sustainable ICT growth while addressing political and technical barriers. They stressed the role of the private sector in providing scalable solutions to infrastructure and connectivity challenges.
Capacity Building and Resource Mobilization
Delegates called for increased investments in capacity building and digital literacy programs to empower youth and women as drivers of Africa's digital transformation.
Inclusive Stakeholder Engagement
Speakers emphasized the importance of multistakeholder models, integrating governments, the private sector, and civil society in policymaking and execution.
Aligning with Global Frameworks
The session highlighted the convergence of the GDC with other frameworks like Agenda 2063, SDG 2030, and WSIS+20 outcomes. Participants stressed the need for African countries to integrate these frameworks into their national strategies for maximum impact.
Key Takeaways
- Urgent Need for Local Action: Africa must translate global commitments into costed, implementable strategies that reflect local realities.
- Invest in Inclusion: Connectivity and digital literacy initiatives must prioritize underserved areas, with a focus on women, youth, and rural communities.
- Strengthen Partnerships: South-South and North-South cooperation is critical for resource mobilization and knowledge sharing.
- Foster Innovation: Flexible policies and private-sector engagement can drive sustainable digital transformation.
- Enhance Synergies: Aligning global frameworks like the GDC with Africa's Agenda 2063 can streamline efforts and enhance progress.
- Environmental Considerations: Incorporating environmentally sustainable practices in ICT growth and digital transformation initiatives.
- Building Cyber Resilience: Developing public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about online safety, cybersecurity threats, and best practices.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Establishing mechanisms to regularly monitor and evaluate the progress and impact of digital initiatives.