New York, November 4, 2024 – The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) has successfully wrapped up its participation in the UN Summit of the Future, a pivotal event that preceded the UN General Assembly High-Level Week held on September 22–23, 2024. This summit served as a platform for the DCO to underscore the critical importance of multi-stakeholder digital cooperation in fostering global prosperity. In a press release issued today, the DCO reiterated its commitment to accelerating inclusive and sustainable growth within the digital economy.
On September 22, the United Nations Member States unanimously approved the Global Digital Compact (GDC), aimed at creating “an inclusive, open, sustainable, fair, safe, and secure digital future for all.” The GDC, part of the broader “Pact for the Future,” establishes a comprehensive framework that encourages collaboration among governments, the private sector, civil society, international organizations, and academic institutions. This collaborative approach is vital to realizing the digital future envisioned by all stakeholders involved. The negotiations leading to the GDC were co-facilitated by the Permanent Representatives of Sweden and Zambia to the United Nations.
In a historic moment for the DCO, Secretary-General Deemah AlYahya addressed the UN General Assembly as an Observer for the first time since the organization’s inception. In her remarks, she emphasized the need for multilateral cooperation as the cornerstone for developing an inclusive and sustainable global digital economy. “Cooperation is a key driver of digital prosperity, and we are delighted to see the Global Digital Compact approved—a pivotal framework that seeks to create a digital future that is inclusive, open, and safe for all,” AlYahya stated. “The GDC reflects a real need for inclusive and sustainable growth in the digital economy to foster prosperity.”
The DCO is dedicated to promoting international, multi-stakeholder cooperation within the digital realm and is committed to actively participating in the implementation of the GDC, particularly in efforts to bridge the global digital divide. During its 3rd General Assembly, hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain on January 31, 2024, the DCO Council adopted the Final Council Declaration, which highlights their shared dedication to narrowing the global digital divide and leveraging digital transformation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The declaration notably emphasizes the significance of multilateral cooperation and requests that the Secretary-General spearhead global advocacy efforts to influence the future of digital cooperation in light of the GDC’s finalization.
In a further step towards advancing the objectives of the GDC, the DCO has launched the Digital Economy Navigator (DEN). This innovative tool is designed to assist DCO Member States and partners in making informed decisions regarding digital economy growth, facilitating the identification of opportunities, benchmarking progress, and addressing gaps in digital maturity. Announced by Secretary-General AlYahya during the “SDG Digital” event, the DEN aims to empower nations in their pursuit of digital economy maturity.
Amandeep Gill, the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology, commented on the DCO's role in shaping the Global Digital Compact: “With the establishment of the UN Group of Friends for Digital Cooperation and our engagement with its Member States, the DCO has played a constructive role in shaping the Global Digital Compact. The Compact is a key milestone and a comprehensive framework for an inclusive and sustainable digital future. I look forward to continuing to engage with the DCO. Together, we can harness the power of digital technology to bridge the digital divide and accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.”
On the sidelines of the Summit of the Future, the DCO hosted a significant side event at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, titled “Fostering Global Digital Cooperation for Prosperity.” This event featured keynote addresses from prominent figures, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus, Dr. Constantinos Kombos, and Special Adviser to the President of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), Prof. Akiko Yamanaka. The event also included two panels moderated by Amir Dossal, President & CEO of the Global Partnerships Forum.
The first panel, “How to Build Global Digital Cooperation to Deliver Our Commitments?” showcased insights from various leaders, including Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Munir Akram, and the Director of the Regional Bureau of the Arab States at UNDP, Dr. Abdallah Al Dardari. The second panel, “Exploring New Digital Cooperation Models,” featured contributions from Alaa Abdulaal, Chief Digital Economy Foresight at the DCO, and executives from major organizations, including Oracle and Microsoft.
This gathering provided a vital multi-stakeholder platform for exploring innovative models of digital cooperation and showcasing actionable solutions aimed at enhancing digital prosperity across the globe.
