A High-Level Roundtable titled ‘ The Global Digital Compact: A Roadmap to Advance Sustainable Digital Transformation for an Equitable and Sustainable World’ will convene in New York as part of the UN Summit of the Future, on 21 September 2024. The event aims to present a roadmap towards the implementation of the UN Global Digital Compact (GDC), an important Summit of the Future outcome that was co-facilitated by the Governments of Zambia and Sweden.

The event will also witness the launch of a new UNEP Issue Note on the Environmental Impacts of AI, which will provide critical insights into how AI can be deployed in ways that support climate action, reduce waste, and promote responsible resource management.

The Global Digital Compact aims at fostering a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable digital future for all. It seeks to leverage the power of digital technologies to advance the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through innovative financing, sustainable infrastructure investments, and responsible digital practices, countries can not only accelerate their digital transformation but also ensure that growth is environmentally sustainable and inclusive.

UNCTAD’s Digital Economy Report 2024 highlights the need for environmentally sustainable and inclusive digitalization strategies. Digital technologies—if deployed responsibly—can facilitate more efficient resource use, lower carbon emissions, reduce pollution, and support the transition to renewable energy. The Global Digital Compact reinforces this by advocating for a digital economy that not only drives growth but also prioritizes the protection of the planet.

By fostering partnerships between governments, international organizations, and the private sector, the GDC can catalyze the adoption of digital technologies that drive sustainable development through the digital economy.