UN Science-Policy-Business Forum
Calendar of Activities at the Summit of the Future
New York City, United States of America
September 2024
High-Level Roundtable - The Global Digital Compact: A Roadmap to Advance Sustainable Digital Transformation for an Equitable and Sustainable World
Co-organised with:
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.
Meet the speakers
UN Global Compact Leaders Summit - Bridging the Gap Between Government and Business to Meet Global Climate Goals
Co-organised with:
The UN Global Compact and the UN Science-Policy-Business Forum on the Environment are co-convening a special edition of the Leaders Summit that focuses on the policies and market practices required to scale up efforts to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. This work will help shape the future of responsible business worldwide, with special focus on empowering developing countries. Experts will review the policies to empower greater accountability, innovation and commitment.
Meet the speakers
H.E. Felix C Mutati
Minister of Technology and Science, Zambia
H.E. Lemogang Kwape
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Botswana
Fernando Castellanos
Head of Environment and Climate, UN Global Compact
Ritika Modi
Manager of Environment and Climate, UN Global Compact
Ani Dasgupta
CEO and President, WRI
Thanyaporn (Thanya) Krichtitayawuth
Executive Director, Global Compact Network Thailand
Gonzalo Sáenz de Miera
Executive Director, Global Compact Network Thailand
Maria Ivanova
Director of the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs at Northeastern University and Fellow of the International Science Council
Moderated by:
Axel Threlfall
Editor-at-Large, Reuters and UN SPBF Fellow
High-level Meeting on InternationaI Cooperation on Capacity-building of ArtificiaI Intelligence
Co-organised with:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industries, economies, and societies at an unprecedented pace, bringing immense opportunities for growth, innovation, and development, as well as potential risks and challenges. To ensure that AI contributes to sustainable development and inclusive growth, it is essential to encourage AI research and innovation, and build capacity in AI knowledge, skills, and ethical considerations in all countries especially those of the Global South.
In July 2024, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted with 143 co-sponsors a China-led resolution on AI capacity-building (A/RES/78/311), which calls on the international community to step up cooperation on and investment in AI capacity-building and create a free, open, inclusive and non-discriminatory business environment for AI development. It also stresses the importance of supporting developing countries’ effective, equitable and meaningful participation and representation in international processes and forums on AI governance.
Even though the benefits of AI remain high, recent developments indicate a growing concern about the AI divide between and within countries, due to the lack of talent and capabilities in developing countries. Zambia and China plan to co-host a side event on AI capacity-building cooperation during the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. The event is to encourage member states and relevant stakeholders to collaborate in capacity-building relating to AI in particular in developing countries, and closing the digital divides and accelerating the positive contribution that AI can play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs).
Meet the speakers
H.E. Wang Li
Minister of Foreign Affairs, PeopIe’s Republic of China
H.E. Felix C Mutati
Minister of Technology and Science, Zambia
Amina J. Mohammed
Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations
Amandeep Singh Gill
UN Secretary General's Envoy on Technology
Prof Zeng Yi
Member of the UN High-level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence
Moderated by:
Milner Makuni
Director Communications and Digital Technologies, Ministry of Technology and Science, Zambia
For more information, please contact:
William Thornton
Strategy & Partnerships Officer
UN Science-Policy-Business Forum on the Environment (UNSPBF)
William.thornton@un.org