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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>> GITANJALI SAH: Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen. This is after lunch session and we will try to keep it as interesting as possible. We have our UN agency colleagues here with us today to talk a bit more about what the UN is going with reference to the WSIS process. As you all know the WSIS is a UN process because we have the UN GA resolution, ECOSOC resolutions. Within our own agencies we have several resolution ours membership have approved. We're here to tell you more about what we're doing and what we think of the future of the WSIS process.
The United Nations group on the information society plays a pivotal role in advancing mandates of WSIS on digital development. Created by the chief executive board to ensure the UN system works together to drive digital transformation and sustainable development. We are a very effective and well‑coordinated outcome‑oriented group. We have chairs, vice chairs and members of the CEB who are members of the UNGIS. We have extended to observer members as well. Including new UN entities like ODEC.
Key mandates of UNGIS include policy coordination, multistakeholder engagement like we are doing today. Supporting internationally agreed global development goals. Monitoring and reporting. And of course UNGIS has been instrumented in supporting global digital compact. And making sure that we deliver UN just inputs into the global digital compact.
Without delay I would like to invite our chair and our Vice Chairs. I represent I thank you. Two kind of let us know what they are doing. What our vision is. And of course aligning it with the GDC without duplications. UNESCO? I pass the floor to you first. Over to you. Please.
>> Thank you very much Gitanjali. Just to highlight that indeed the 20 year review of WSIS is pivotal moment to discuss progress and explore future interactions. And for us one of the enduring strengths of WSIS framework lies in its technology neutral and principle‑based design.
The action lines of WSIS and outcome documents were deliberately crafted to transcend specific technologies. And this design philosophy has allowed the WSIS framework to remain relevant across successive waves of digital innovation. From the early days of the internet adoption through the rights of mobile phones and social media and today's transformative era of the AI. And UNESCO lead facilitator for six action lines out of 11 we emphasise this adaptive capacity as key advantage of metaphor rigid technology specific approaches that risk (?) in the face of rapid digital evolution.
As for UNESCO, WSIS+20 forward looking. Human right, sustainability and inclusive development. UNESCO's report for the 20 years of WSIS contributing to the 28th session of the CSTD called for. And for us WSIS can strengthen its position for dialogue on emerging technologies on issues such as misinformation, gender equality and digital rights.
Essential to further expend WSIS multistakeholder engagement with grassroots organisations, with youth. With marginalized communities. Our work is indeed guided by a singular vision that digital transformation must serve humanity, not other way around as it has been highlighted and stated from various UN agencies. And in this vein supporting states, for example, with evidence‑based policy tools, such as universality of (?) indicators to readiness assessment methodology for AI governance to give few concrete examples of these tools. And we're building capacity, training educators, civil servants and judicial actors to navigate the complexities of the digital era.
And couple weeks ago,al we posted a workshop that highlighted the need for capacity building on AI and digital transformation in the public sector. That is backbone of transforming policies in real services for citizens.
The conference brought together diverse stakeholders and also served as the first consultation of the review process and we are thankful to co‑facilitators of the representatives of Albania and Kenya to the UN for their engagement and cooperation. And of course our key partners of ITU and (?) DP. And it is important to point out that we are not doing this alone. We're doing it in a cooperative approach and in partnership with our UN colleagues. And our engagement within UNGIS, the UN group on information societies central to this effort. And as current chair of the group, alongside with Vice Chairs, I thank you, UNDP and UNCTAD.
Aligning with other UN processes such as the GDC.
So I'd like to stop here. And thank you for this important discussion looking forward to hearing from other colleagues.
>> GITANJALI SAH: Thank you. And I do see that our FAO colleague is in the audience. They are please join us on the podium as well. Thank you so much.
Thank you so much. The conference was a milestone. The UNESCO conference will feed into the WSIS+20 overall review. Highlighting the importance of the role UNESCO is doing to implement the WSIS process and vision of WSIS.
Really as you mentioned, the United Nations group on information society, UNGIS, is digital cooperation in action. We have been working together not only to provide inputs to other UN processes and events happening but also showing how UN can work together and avoid duplication.
Thank you so much. I'd like to pass onto UNDP, also Vice Chair of UNGIS. Over to you.
>> Thank you so much Gitanjali. As United Nations development programme we're very proud to be co‑convenor of the WSIS form and really thinking how we deliver directly to communities and countries in the area of digital concentration. So United Nations development programme is the UN's development wing. Presently in over 170 countries and territories around the world. And have been the face of UN (?). In particularly in countries where, you know, sometimes it is a little more of a challenging environment. The United Nations development programme has function as the right hand of government in implementing public services, supporting institutional operations and really helping to deliver public services to the citizens and people of that country.
So right now, for instance, we are in over 130 countries. With supporting programme, implementing programmes on leveraging digital and AI to achieve sustainable development goals. We have supported over 60 country I think at last count. In more specific areas. Such as AI and digital assessments. Digital capacity building, supporting role of public infrastructure. Technical advisory support to governments and thinking how digital can be leveraged for transformation of the countries in support of development itself. And work very closely with our UN agency partners in many specific areas. With I thank you global AI skills and capacity building, with the UNESCO colleagues on AI landscape (?) assessments. And really looking how there are specific areas which we can really turn global discussions into concrete areas of work. I've touched on various ‑‑ we work at all levels. National, in country. Regional. Throughout regional bureaus. And as well as global sort of convening areas as well as thought leadership around digital public infrastructure. AI for sustainable development. Around sort of thinking about how AI and digital can be leveraged to achieve development with very practical delivery aspects.
I want to really emphasise this idea. In some ways UNDP such broad mandate, we can work across sectors to really bring together digital transformation, cooperation in holistic and comprehensive way. We work together. To focus on particular sectors. Wringing overall all of government type developmental approach. Whereby it is not really just looking at one piece in isolation but trying to bring it altogether in a development perspective and a whole of government approach. So in that way we serve as integrated in country partnering with lot of colleagues that bring that level of technical expertise to the support of member states directly in country itself. I think I JAWS want to also support the point that's been made by many my other colleagues in the premonition of WSIS lines and framework. Coming together of UN agencies through interagency collaboration has been very powerful. The role of United Nations group and information society UNESCO highlighted and (?) critical bringing about this policy coherence, alignment, information sharing and then the collaboration that can really bring to bear the collaborative strengths, comparative advantages and expertise of various systems. And final point I also note it is a difficult time for the multi lateral system and international collaborative spirit that's brought us all together. Fact that WSIS is 20 years old. That we're coming still to discuss aspects of capacity development and need to make sure that everyone everywhere including developing countries and Global South part of this global conversation is really important.
But that is why we in the WSIS+20 review process need to double down on the idea of delivery of impact of leveraging existing institutions, interagency mechanisms and collaborative efforts and partnerships that have worked and delived and really continue to see how we can further support them at this critical moment. I'll end there and really look forward to hearing from other colleagues and stakeholders.
>> GITANJALI SAH: Thank you. UNDP is not only a close partner of the WSIS us process but also one of our main voices in New York. The New York offices each one of us have. But thanks a lot for keeping us all updated about what is going in New York.
We have made several efforts to ensure that the diplomats and wider stakeholder community in New York is also abreast of what's happening within the WSIS process. Because finally the negotiations are going to take place in New York in December. And we would need each one of you to be advocates in New York for us. To be able to explain the importance of the WSIS process, the multistakeholder elements that it has. And also that it is evolved with the evolution of technology. So the framework of WSIS action lines, the UNGIS UN framework and so on and so forth.
It also has evolved with the evolution of technology in these 20 years. And it is not that we were set 20 years back and we are old and we have not evolved. As you can see, we are all standing here in front of you, ensuring that we are agile in digital cooperation and that we are delivering.
So thank you very much. I have... from UNCTAD CSTD with us on line. Can you hear us? The floor yours lipping.
>> Can you hear me?
>> GITANJALI SAH: Yes, Liping. Please go ahead.
>> Thank you. It is a great pleasure participate in this event. At IGF again. Because we WSIS+20 at IGF in Kyoto in October 2023. So we are very happy to participate in this event organised by ITU at the IGF.
>> GITANJALI SAH: Liping, we lost you. Woe don't hear you anymore.
Okay. We do hope we'll get Liping back. As you all know, member states negotiated the ecosock resolution at the annual CSTD. And one of the main paragraphs approved was recognises importance of implementing the integration of GDC commitments into the WSIS architecture in order to avoid duplication and ensure cohesive and (?) approach to this cooperation.
So this really shows us the way member states are thinking currently within of including the GDC objectives into the WSIS architecture.
Liping are you back? I just referred to the resolution that was adopted?
Okay. While we get Liping back maybe we could move to Maktar? We're also working closely with the UN regional levels. Please go ahead.
>> Thank you Gitanjali. Good afternoon colleagues. The as great pleasure to give update on our activity and WSIS and also this UNGIS. As you know Africa mandate according to the general resolution to support organisation of WSIS outcome (?) level.
We have done WSIS+20 review this year in Benin, in May. And lot of African country and key to discuss on progress made by African countries this last 20 years. We have very good progress in several areas. Also several challenge. And key outcome of this meeting out of declaration of the (?). Continuation next ten years and make sure avoid any communication with the Global Digital Compact and interline and framework together. And also what is important to be requested also to include monitoring and framework in the WSIS for the next phase.
This is a key outcome of this meeting. Also, we organise this African Internet Governance Forum in Tanzania end of May. And we also declaration on African Internet Governance Forum.
This declaration on continuation of IGF also for 10 years to align with WSIS requests we have done. And also to put the two align with digital, Global Digital Compact and to avoid any duplication with this framework. Also there are lot of issues discussed in WSIS+20 and IGF on the challenge faced by African country. Such as issue of connectivity. That is issue of also to be included in the next phase of WSIS because it is also very important. Issue of data governance, of course global digital compact and AI has key issue. And also inclusion of people with disability on the general process of the digitallal economy in the world.
Also as the worlds youngest review. Several activity. Our sister agency. I can highlight some. We already develop. We launched two weeks ago, UNCTAD's report. Working well. And also ITU to develop this Africa digital gap between ready by September. Also for ‑‑
So how when we optimise taxation on ICT sector we can increase GDP, job creation, as well as connectivity. And we agree with ITU to work together to expand this taxation report and taxation calculator in as region across the world.
Also we work closely ITU on digital public efforts also for Africa. We also organise with UNESCO and ITU also sales technology innovation for Africa in Uganda. April. It went very well. And lot of discussion was around how we can promote innovation using AI across the continent (?) of the GDC.
Digital also we work have show before the freeze of the budget, how can work together to more efficient their intervention as a country level. We have good example of UNDP in (?) to develop strategy and project on digital ID.
And working closely with some in agency. Four country, Mazz beak, Tanzania ‑‑ (?). As well as to build chair capacity on data governance. In conclusion I think we need to work more altogether and more efficiently given this budget issue. And work closely, and I think we can replicate this in several country with other organisations. And in conclusion, we need Africa, if message is very clear. We request WSIS ‑‑ and IGF for next ten years, and of course to avoid any duplication with Global Digital Compact. We are sure to put in place mechanism for integration of this framework. As well as a mechanism for valuation and monitoring for WSIS I for IGF, to measure the progress. And where we can correct. Because we are target in what call it in WSIS. But we don't have in the Internet Governance Forum.
As well as we need also to institutionalize Internet Governance Forum. The as summary of key activity undertake in Africa. Thank you.
>> GITANJALI SAH: Thank you for emphasising on the important role regional commissions are playing at the regional level to implement WSIS.
I do have Sebastien on our list from UN ECLAC. The Latin American coalition. Is Sebastien online? Yes. I can see him on the screen. It is really late for you. Over to you.
>> Thank you very much. Pleasure to be here. Also pleasure trying to be online here with you.
Just to bring some issue related to what we're have been doing in ECLAC. Related to digital transformation the last meeting, the last year. ECLAC as you know has been very front of thought forefront of (?) to support government in navigating the digital transformation. So we have been strong emphasis on evidence‑based policy. And one of our flagship initiative of this is how we call simulator of productive digital transformation for support. That actually the design and implementation of new tools to support digital transformation in the region.
As you know, this is a tool very actually is grounded in concept of digital complexity. Something, this is something new for the region. And actually we're trying to seek to understand the capacity of a country or sector also to be integrate and absorb advanced digital technologies based on productive and technological capacity.
This is important also to digitalisation to impact the agenda. Project we've been working last 20 years and very inline with the WSIS process. These tools actually we're trying to actually support the identification of digital (?) for digital sectors of the economy. And trying to quantify the distance to be more complex (?). Also design target (?) by matching technology demands with (?) territory.
In this context of the WSIS+20 review process. Approach trying to contribute, you know, to several dimension of the digital development agenda. This is important also to scale up the question not just collaboration but also political alignment and resources (?). WSIS+20 provide unique opportunity to formulate these synergies and approach into the global digital cooperation architecture.
And particular in the context of the GDC and SDG implementation.
So I think advise very important also to try to identify new tools and also how we can collaborate in this process since you know the digital (?) accelerate, it is important to try to identify new ways how we can support and also collaborate in this process.
Up to you. Gitanjali.
>> GITANJALI SAH: Thank you Sebastien and thank you for being the Vice Chair of UNGIS this year. Bringing regional perspectives. ECLAC is one of the commissions ‑‑ and the Caribbean region. And covers WSIS. Through that session as well. Last year held in Chile. So thank you so much.
>> Absolutely. Absolutely. Now you know we have this new agenda. Agenda for this two years. The ECLAC 2026. Was approved last year in 2024. With some key elements in the agenda. Agenda is organised and actually cut three main pillars. One related to productive development. Another well‑being. And another with the transformation of the state.
And there are other exists more transverse to the agenda. One related to the meaningful connectivity and digital infrastructure. This is something that really important that we have identified. This is not enough obviously to count all you have you know the infrastructure of being connected. It is also other elements that must be important also to be assured that you are using the connectivity and proper way and you can also abrogate from value that this technology to the people.
Another one is related to the governance of digital security. And this is every day more and more important, particular related to the, you know, the advance of artificial intelligence. How we are governance the data that is generating this space and also the IGF count started to be much much more important.
And last relate to this in innovation and emerging new technology. Old artificial (?) aspect how you are using this to support the (?). Agenda organised three main pillars and three main axises. And idea how you use these to also accelerate formation, digital formation. But deceleration must be inclusive same way allowed countries in the region to transform their productive process and also the inclusion process.
We also for sure have new instrument to implement these agenda. One as was saying is this related to this simulator. This is part of that digital transformation lab. Another one I think very important is (?) on digital development. This is obvious for developing region. You need ‑‑ you must ‑‑ do evidence‑based policies. Every day more and more important. Another one is related to this the (?) importance of support capacity building and we have some digital schools. Digital transformation for the (?) and for the Caribbean. And last is related to this working groups that we have in the framework of the process. One related to digital economy. Another artificial intelligent. Another meaningful activity, data governance and Caribbean. Some we're working. It is not just political agenda. It is also implemented agenda trying to support the countries in this digital formation process.
>> GITANJALI SAH: Thank you so much Sebastien for joining us virtually. Even though you couldn't be here with us physically this time. And we really appreciate the implementation of the WSIS process at the regional level. And you also won the WSIS prize as you recall. Really like the Latin American region much more engaged in the WSIS process times to advocacy that ECLAC has been doing. Thank you so much picture.
I can ‑‑ there is liable I do see later also there. If you would like to join us there. Now I would like to pass the floor to (?). Tell us what's happening in that world.
>> Thank you. It is not a short answer. But I'll try and highlight a few things. First of all, UN long recognised technology and core focus across works since late ‑‑ early 1990s. Anything from more to management and natural resource management and peace keeping and transformation of society or the public sector at large. Inform naturally we've been supporting the WSIS process from the onset and genuinely link this to SDGs and GDC. For instance, we contribute to the WSIS process. We participate in the WSIS forum. Every year we bring our partners there.
But we also contributing to the formulation of pact of the future. And we facilitated the data deep dive consultation for the GDC to ensure that it is aligned. And in fact we worked with MAC tar and his team to do that on AI and data governance in the African context.
Today we actually collaborate with all UN agencies, essentially. And we also work with regional and national partners.
Uniquely, UN U is not funded by the UN general budget. It is funded directly by our national partners. Our regional partners. So we are instead funded by member states who relies on us or entrust us with independent research, capacity building, policy advice and assessment. And of course we bring the WSIS objectives and other objectives from the UN system into that work. Today we're about a thousand experts. Working across 14 countries. We do that in different ways. We usually do that in local collaboration with research entities. So we're usually cohosted with a university or research organisation.
And enjoy support from national, local or regional government in terms of our financing. Deeply embedded into the architecture and contribute to various number of forums.
Our UN office is working with office for ICT on this year's digital technologies report. We are also leading research support for the advisory board for artificial intelligence. Together with ITU. We are developing the AI for good flagship project. We are also working on AI in cities with UFASSC which is another initiative. Targeting local authorities and AI in the city context.
We ran a series of weapon mass with international security association on all things AI in social security protection and universal coverage. And culminated on report with policy recommendations for social security agencies last year.
We also part of the working group on data governance from the SCD. We are actually in the working group on digital inclusion for the Islamic development bank. And on Sunday we're launching five‑day virtual training on that. With their member states and parters in from there.
We work closely with the UNDP Dpy safeguards group. We are part of the open source complex project that is being launched quite recently by the office of ICT. Together with rise, the swedish research institute.
And the regional context we have set up a number of member state networks on digital transformation. We already launched one a few years ago for West Africa, together with UNECA. And also African union and UN DESA. That led to launch of southeast governance network last year in South Africa. And Tuesday we launched a centrallation governance network sponsored by the government of Turkmenistan.
Lastly. We've also run a number of different type of online networks. So again local governments, service online is a network that was also presented earlier today by the Tunisiaens. And we run a number of series bringing both practitioners. Civil society and addition makers and researchers together. So the next one is in October. AI conference series in Macao. And ISOC conference in November.
Essentially we support WSIS and the process and objectives throughout our work. Again, we focusing on independent evidence‑based insights. Particularly tailoring the implementation on some of objectives in the member states. And always try and link that from governance to practical implementation.
>> GITANJALI SAH: Thank you Martin for that really comprehensive response. And in fact I recall we've been working with UNU not only your egov experiment but also a centre in Macao that's been working with us since the inception of WSIS. And we've always been exploring the academic training angles. Not only that. I think we've been enjoying sessions with countries to also explore the implementation of WSIS action lines on ground. So thank you so much for this excellent collaboration that we have here for WSIS.
I'll move onto Richard. Richard from WIPO. Not only our good neighbour in Geneva. But has been working very closely with us on various issues. Richard, over to you.
>> Thank you. Very much for inviting me and of course confirming good neighbour from across the street. We always work very closely with our e good friends from ITU.
So just to say that as the UN agency for intellectual property, WIPO serves of course these world's innovators and creators. We do this from international IP registries that help them transform their ideas from across borders or by setting international IP standards and norms.
So include this includes of course two new international multi lateral treaties that be concluded last year. One of the more exciting also work of our organisation is our ability to track intellectual property activity across the world. And our databases include among others, 120 million patent documents, 17 million design, 68 million trademarks.
All of this data is available for anyone to use. And it is powered by different AI tools that help search and translate it to different languages. So examples what you can do with this IP information. So ‑‑ you can find, among others that over the past 20 years, patent applications have grown the pastest in computer technologies and digital communication. With an average annual growth of around 8%. Between 2010 and 20 ‑‑ 2024, the number of patent grants for AI technology was up over 3,000 percent. And only between '21 and '22 it was 60%. This is a snippet of all the information you can find, all the findings, insights I you can get from this insight information. This is just a snippet of it. Through our patent information insight reports we leverage all this patent information to explore a number of technologies, such as AI, of course. But also assistive technologies, transportation or health and safety tech.
And on many of these we're working very close with lot of UN partners, as well as beyond. Perhaps to also say that equally important is that all this information is also used by our innovators and creators. Because by accessing this data, accessic this information, they can avoid duplication of R&D, build on existing knowledge and improving invention, accessibility of their invention, identify licensing and collaboration opportunities and many more.
So at WIPO we really want to make sure that all innovators from across the world have access to this knowledge gathered in these databases and that they know how to use it. So this is why we continue to expand our technology and innovation support centres (?).
Typically they are located in the patent office, universities and science and tech parks and developing and least developing countries. And they enable researchers and inventors to get access and use the information gathered inned database and score of scientific and technical publications which is linked to it.
In recent years also the (?) have been starting developing additional support services. Technology transfer, IP management or organisation. Since TISCs was launched in 200993 countries have established these networks. Helping across local communities. This is just one of the wide examples I could be giving.
Also just to mention being here in IGF and hearing all the discussions, including on AI, let me just mention that we also have our WIPO conversation, which is a forum intended to provide inch with a leading global setting to discuss all the impacts of frontier technologies and all the many different IP rights and to also bridge that information gap.
What is also important that following the different versions of the conversations we provide a range of tools and on the ground projects such as the AI and policy tool kit. And AI and infrastructure interchange. And I'm time is also running short. But I just want to finish by saying WIPO is always looking forward to supporting all our stakeholders and countries and ensuring every innovator and creator can thrive and we love doing this with our UN family and partners in across the world. Thank you very much.
>> GITANJALI SAH: Thank you very much Richard.Al.
I move onto Jason. Jason Slater from uniDoe. I recall in 2015, UNIDO got together with us and wanted to highlight the resolute structure SDG 9. And we had a great partnership within the WSIS process. There was also several high level dialogues in 2017 and so so forth. So really UNIDO plays a very important role in terms of resolute infrastructure part. Not only rag but much more. Also partnering for the youth track this year. UNIDO is bringing some young people to the WSIS high‑level event. So please do join us to see the Peter of the youngsters and what they want us to do beyond 2025. Over to you, Jason.
>> Thank you very much. Thank you for putting me on the spot so I don't have any prepared speaking notes whatsoever. So yeah, understanding the topic and (?) collaboration. Working together with yourselves thank you now for number of years. My colleague next door in FAO. Collaborating on agriculture supply chain, et cetera. Looking at certain value chains such as coffee and what have you.
But just to take a slight step back. We're here about the spirit of cooperation. We're here about what WSIS has been doing. As you mention we've been collaborating now on a number of years with WSIS and some of action lines. Last year we had the adoption of the Global Digital Compact. UNIDO has been pointed one of the cochairs along with our colleagues from UNCTAD on inclusive sustainable digital economy. And.
And what we're doing is using forums such as WSIS and AI for good is how can we have a call for solutions? From UNIDO's perspective we really looking at how can we build up this multistakeholder approach through the private sector, through academia, through think tank, to ultimately identify solutions to consult problems of our member states. And that of course is not something that is unique to us. A number of us are doing this on the panel. And I'm sure we're all working with similar ecosystems. And that is something they think we come together more and more and amplify.
Because if we do this collectively, with each of our unique mandates and specializations, we will have a much, much greater impact. So just if I may just touch on a few specific areas that we are now prioritising. So in my role as chief AI innovation digital officer, providing to the services to members, our 172 member state, we realise we are having to focus on areas that when we talk about AI that's perhaps not as what so commonly known at the moment when we think about GenAI and what is going on or in co‑pilot, Gemini, GPT, et cetera. But really what can you do when leveraging AI in, for example, smart money manufacturing.
How can you help a small medium enterprise and inject with it AI powered chips that can make their production line more energy efficient, et cetera.
So this is an area that we've seen that we want to start to support even more. So we're establishing a number of centre of excellences. For example, in Addis and Ethiopia and collaboration with the Chinese government N Morocco, Tunisia. A number of others coming up in Latin America in the coming months. Cuba and Venezuela and what have you. And really to see how can we build up this partnership‑based approach to bring those solutions from technology providers, from industry, et cetera. So that our member states can ultimately from this benefit from this.
Last but not least. Also like to mention in this space of innovation, how can we also harness what is going on around start‑ups and innovators? We have a programme referred to to scale X. Which is basically threefold. It has an accelerator programme. Actually again we did this in collaboration with FAO last year. We had an innovation challenge. The wonderful people who actually won the award that developed an AI chip that could smell food loss. Which we're now actually looking to deploy in some of our projects.
In addition we have the innovation side as well, which is a collaboration between ourselves as the UN agencies, with the corporate sector. And in particular we fund managers as well. So we can ultimate support and help start‑ups scale their solutions and become investable.
And with that I'll pause knowing about the time and say thank you very much to inviting me to the stage. I'm looking forward to continue with our collaboration and see you in a couple of weeks.
Thank you.
>> GITANJALI SAH: Thank you, Jason. And just for those of you who will join the high‑level event. As part of youth track, we will have a youth party. It is a youth networking event. So Al of us are invited. We're all young at heart.
So you are all invaded to the ITU building on the 7th for the youth party.
Jason you mentioned the hack tones and the smart challenges. But these are really great but one thing we also need to look at the incubation of this good work. You did touch upon it. How do we (?) these start‑ups? That is something we'd like to explore more with FAO and UNIDO. And while talking about FAO, (?), congratulations you are a WSIS champion this year. Can you tell us more about the project and work you are doing.
>> Yes, of course, before I mention the project. First of all, thank you for inviting me also to the stage. Food and agriculture organisation, our focus basically to end hunger.
Way we approach is by looking at having better production, better nutrition. Better environment and better life. And to Kyiv that. We know that technology or digital opportunities offer us enablement but also acceleration. Of the urgently needed transformation of (?) systems. So how do we do that?
We basically don't look only at one sector and, for example, only to improve production. But we also looking to improving production and opportunities to transform. And I think this is maybe common what I'm hearing also with our colleagues from other agencies.
The opportunities we see and we need to take advantage of require transformation not simply doing the same thing. But maybe more efficient. But actually transformation. And this is some of the projects that you are mentioning as well from UNIDO.
If you look at FAO contribution, what we focus on is producing the digital public goods. We're also producing to digital public infrastructures. We also provide advisories and enablement mechanisms for countries to transform agri food systems sector. So digitalisation on different elements.
But also if I look around just this panel, most of the enabling elements is actually among us. So this is where we see a huge benefit of UNGIS and WSIS. Also GDC and other instruments that we use for enabling elements.
I'll just give few examples.
We do know we still need to work on connectivity. So we heavily rely on broadband commission and work of ITU on you. And we really appreciate all the efforts. We also know we need to step up the communication elements and we have UNESCO here as well. We have jointly altogether, have to say the mandates and instruments to move forward.
One of the other areas that is very important to mention is the we need to work cross‑sectoral. FAO cannot cover all the sectors. Our mandate is clear. So we do depend on others. And we see that as opportunities. So we will continue to work in this way. And yes, I think this is our second or third WSIS champion award. So that particular project is focusing on avoiding food loss in fact. And this is one area that is not really fully explored. And a lot of food being wasted. Even before harvest and before it gets to the table. So this is one of the examples.
But some of the major capabilities we provide are for stakeholders. So for targeted interventions. And for investment cases. So this is something that we do every October at the World Food Day.
And also we provide digital public goods for the farmers. Knowledge products in hand and/or what we refer to as extension services.
So again looking at clock, thank you very much. But I'll be around if any questions come up. Thank you.
>> GITANJALI SAH: Thank you. Our colleague from UN S cap mentioned me that he's also online. So production team. If you can get Siope the floor. It is 8:30 in Thailand. Thank you for being there. Can you hear us? The floor is yours.
>> First thank you very much Gitanjali for inviting SCAP. SCAP looks forward to working closely. Regional review of WSIS and of course every year we hold the Asia‑Pacific information superhighway steering committee which we work together with ITU to bring in the champions in the Asia‑Pacific region. To share their (?) with other Asia‑Pacific countries and try to promote best practises.
We look forward to doing that this year as well. I think the next steering committee is planned for November this year. So we look forward to working together with ITU on that and also other agencies.
As you may know SCAP continues to work with member states in the region to promote regional cooperation on (?) connectivity through capacity building and also policy advisory on digital transformation. We look forward to working together with other agencies. Through UNGIS to to promote cooperation and transformation in the region. So thank you very much for the opportunity to contribute today's conversation.
Thank you.
>> GITANJALI SAH: Thank you, Siope. And thanks for being with us. It is so late in Thailand. So thank you so much. With that we'd like to open the floor. I do see some of you who were raising your hand earlier..
>> Good afternoon. I am Internet Governance coordinator from South Africa. First it is very pleasing to see a wide range of UN agencies take the floor and talk to us about the work they do. So thank you to the facilitator. And the coordinator for coordinating this session.
As South Africa we recognise and commend the work of UNGIS. Particularly in driving digital cooperation within UN systems. We particularly acknowledge and commend the work of UN agencies such as UNECA who have played a critical role in supporting developing country, especially across Africa to access emerging technologies by promoting technology transfer and facilitating the integration of ICTs international strategies, UNECA has helped ensure digital transformation contributing meaningfully to inclusive growth.
Further more continued to play an important role in advancing global digital transformation by fostering coordination, policy coherence and implementation of WSIS line actions. And we as South Africa are positions that that work needs to continue beyond 2025 and we look forward to continued collaboration in strengthening digital ecosystems across the continent and globally.
Thank you.
>> GITANJALI SAH: Thank you, South Africa. And we look forward to continuing working with you. Thank you so much. Yes, ma'am. Please go ahead.
>> Thank you so much. For this very interesting and fruitful discussion. I'm Ashley lynch Kelly. From foundation London story where (?) led human and digital rights organisation. So we recently compilationed first ever baseline study on challenges and possible solutions for accessing digital health in India.
Whilst digital health is undoubt lid democratizing access in India. We know marginalized communicated as well as those in rural areas without adequate access or infrastructure remain exclude asked thus unable to access good quality health care. Given these barriers and significant potential of digital health advance SDG3 and 10 in India, we'd be interested to know on how UNDP and UNGIS other members are working with the Indian government about the union and state level, as well as other relevant stakeholders to ensure the world's largest democracy can fully benefit from the transformative power of digital health care and work to ensure that access to health care in India expands to become fully inclusive, high quality and accessible for all.
Thank you very much.
>> GITANJALI SAH: Thank you very much. Yuping. Do you want to ‑‑
>> Thank you for the question. So we actually have quite an extensive UNDP country office in India which is working to implement a vary programmes including I believe digital health. Be thank you overall approach we take to digital health is really founded on digital public infrastructure approach. Emphasizes interoperable collusive rights based. As part we work closely with the G20 presidency two years ago around this groundbreaking approach to digital transformation and thinking about how digital public infrastructure and embedding this notion of righted based, inclusive people centred approach to digital infrastructure should be part of the conversation. We're looking forward to actually continuing the work beta Indian government. We actually had the inboundian government and digital Secretary here at the IGF on a panel I think two days ago around AI implementation at country level. Where he reiterated this particular approach.
And outlined little bit around the examples of use cases where he also highlighted digital health. So this will continue to be an area of collaboration between UNDP particularly to our country offices. Emphasiseing the need for such rights base inclusive approach. And we also welcome this kind of stakeholder input. So feel free to reach out if you have any specific suggestions how with we improve. Any messages that we should continue to press forward as really a Global thought leader in the area. And as well as next year's AI summit India new Dell. UNDP working ‑‑. Grounded in approach on being rights based inclusive and people‑centred will take root.
>> GITANJALI SAH: Thank you. Have Yuping. We also working with WHO. On a various standards. ITU is, whoing on various standards. And you can get in touch with us also for further details.
Can we try to bring in Liping Zhang from unTad please? She is there and would like to just very quickly finish her intervention.
>> I can hear you. Given the time constraints, I'll be very brief. Basically I want to inform you that the CSD has completes its work on WSIS+20 review. Which will be reported to the general assembly through (?). And outcome of discussions at in April this year. Was reflected in the WSIS resolution. The resolution will be approved by ecosoft in July. (?) inputs to its review to be held in December.
And. In that resolution, the UNGIS are contribution to the WSIS was highly appreciated and recognised. In particular it also places expectation UNGIS to play an important role in of review of the WSIS. Which is basically to have a bigger role outcome of the review at general assembly. What (?) resolution has recommended. UNGIS integrate GDC into its action lines. And also play big role in developing (?). Relating to the GDC.
Early purpose basically online. The WSIS sustainable develop goals. And implementation.
I don't have anything else to add because of time constraints. If you have any questions, I'm ready to answer.
>> GITANJALI SAH: Thank you very much Liping. And we thank all UN agencies who have joined us here today. We'd like to invite you for a group photograph in the front if you can join us please. And thank you to the audience for your wonderful questions and participation.