The third ministerial meeting of the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC) was held on 5 December 2022 in Washington, DC, USA. During the meeting, the two parties:
Reiterated the importance of cooperating on trust and security in the ICT ecosystem and noted that the TTC Working Group on ICTS security and competitiveness plans to discuss transatlantic subsea cables’ connectivity and security, including alternative routes, such as the transatlantic route to connect Europe, North America and Asia.
Announced plans to launch a pilot project to assess the use of privacy-enhancing technologies and synthetic data in health and medicine.
Announced plans to establish an expert task force to strengthen research and development cooperation on quantum information science, develop common frameworks for assessing technology readiness, discuss intellectual property, and export control-related issues as appropriate, and work together to advance international standards.
Announced progress on increasing standards cooperation, for instance through the Strategic Standards Information mechanism meant to enable the EU and the USA to share information about international standardisation activities and react to common strategic issues.
Announced that the US Department of Commerce and the European Commission are entering into an administrative arrangement to implement an early warning mechanism to address and mitigate semiconductor supply chain disruptions in a cooperative way.
Stressed the importance of eliminating the use of arbitrary and unlawful surveillance to target human rights defenders, and expressed concerns over government-imposed internet shutdowns.
Announced plans to enhance transatlantic trade, for instance through developing joint best practices for the use of digital tools to simplify or reduce the cost of commercial actors’ interactions with the governments in relation to trade-related policy, legal requirements, or regulatory requirements.
Announced the launch of a Talent for Growth Task Force to facilitate exchanges of experiences on training and capacity building and serve as a catalyst for innovative skills policies.
The 2022 Meeting of the High Contracting Parties to the Convention on prohibitions or restrictions on the use of certain conventional weapons which may be deemed to be excessively injurious or have indiscriminate effects (Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons – CCW) decided that the work of the Group of Governmental Experts related to emerging technologies in the area of lethal autonomous weapons system (GGE on LAWS) is to continue in 2023. The Meeting further decided that the Group ‘is to intensify the consideration of proposals and elaborate, by consensus, possible measures, including taking into account the example of existing protocols within the Convention, and other options related to the normative and operational framework on emerging technologies in the area of lethal autonomous weapon systems, building upon the recommendations and conclusions of the Group of Governmental Experts related to emerging technologies in the area of lethal autonomous weapon systems, and bringing in expertise on legal, military, and technological aspects’.
A coalition of eight civil society organisations has issued a joint statement following the Council of Europe’s Committee on Artificial Intelligence’s (CAI) second meeting (held in September 2022). During the session, members of the committee began the negotiations on the zero draft framework of a Council of Europe’s (CoE) binding convention on artificial intelligence (AI), human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.
The signatories expressed their disappointment with what they perceived as the EU’s efforts to delay the process of developing the binding treaty on AI. The statement urged the EU to reconsider its position of, essentially, ‘suspending the participation of the EU states in the CAI process…while the EU sorts out its participation in this matter’, while acknowledging the potential overlap of the CoE Convention and the EU’s draft AI Act.
It should be noted that the session was a closed-door meeting, and that currently the zero draft has yet to be made publicly available.
HealthAI – The Global Agency for Responsible AI in Health, is a Geneva-based, independent nonprofit organisation with the mission of advancing the development and adoption of responsible AI solutions in health through the collaborative implementation of regulatory mechanisms and global standards.
HealthAI envisions a world where artificial intelligence produces equitable and inclusive improvements in health and well-being for all individuals and communities.
As the premier implementing partner to ensure global standards for responsible AI in health are actively applied, HealthAI works through our Global Regulatory Network and the Community of Practice with countries, normative agencies, the private sector, civil society, and other stakeholders to build national and regional regulatory capacity so that countries can actively validate AI technologies, reducing both the risks and long-term costs of AI-enabled health.
HealthAI’s work is rooted in three core principles, namely cultivating trust, catalysing innovation, and centring equity.
AI and other emerging technologies have immense potential to improve health and well-being, but they also bring a unique set of risks and challenges that must be addressed to safeguard individuals and communities from potential harms. Globally, the lack of effective governance increases the risk and hinders the adoption of responsible AI solutions towards better health outcomes. Strong, responsive regulatory mechanisms are required to establish AI systems’ safety and effectiveness and build trust for the long-term acceptability and success of AI-enabled progress in the health sector.
Some countries, mainly those with the highest gross domestic product (GDP) and the most advanced technology sectors, have begun integrating AI regulation into governance structures and national regulations. Most countries have only just begun considering the regulation of AI in general terms and even less so within the context of health. This risks deepening inequity in both access and outcome between early adopter countries and countries that do not have the resources or flexibility to match the pace of technological innovation.
Global efforts addressing the need for AI regulation through the harmonisation of existing standards are critical but require collaborative partners who can support the implementation of the resulting standards and recommendations at a local level. With the new strategy for 2024-2026, HealthAI positions itself as a premier implementing partner for countries, normative agencies, the private sector, and other stakeholders to ensure global standards of responsible AI in health are actively applied in the push towards improved health and well-being outcomes for all in alignment with the SDGs.
As a foundational building block to its mission, HealthAI has established the HealthAI Community of Practice. It is a collaborative platform for multidisciplinary actors to exchange knowledge, share good practices, generate evidence, and strengthen implementation support for regulatory processes and tools for responsible AI solutions in health. We currently have 200+ institutional members, including governments, regulatory agencies, international organisations, healthcare institutions, academia, civil society, and the private sector from 50+ countries.
Digital policy issues
Artificial intelligence
HealthAI’s core outputs
To achieve our mission, HealthAI’s work spans five key areas (Figure 1):
1. Strengthening national and regional validation mechanisms on responsible AI in health:
Establish in-country, government-led regulatory mechanisms by implementing global standards and guidance set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and others at the country level.
Support the implementation of existing auditing tools, and provide guidance on the use of data for AI solutions validation.
2. Establishing a global regulatory network through a member qualification process for knowledge sharing and early warning of adverse events:
Facilitate knowledge sharing to streamline the certification of the same technology and identify AI solutions that require refinement or re-evaluation.
3. Establishing a global early warning system
Rapid notification of adverse events arising from an AI-driven health solution.
4. Creating a global public directory of validated AI solutions for health:
Allow countries to evaluate solution options against local health needs.
Surface unmet health needs as insights and inspiration for technology developers.
5. Delivering advisory support on policies and regulations:
Provide technical guidance and insights into global trends and best practices to help public and private stakeholders develop effective and contextually relevant strategies, policies, and regulations.
Democratise AI for health policy-making through diverse stakeholder and citizen engagement to cultivate trust and improve inclusiveness.
Figure 1 – Responsible AI Solution for Health
The outputs will lead to the following outcomes. Stronger policies, regulations, and institutions will enable the effective governance and validation of AI and other emerging technologies, reducing both the risks and long-term costs of AI-enabled health. In the long term, countries will be able to identify validated AI solutions with greater certainty in their efficacy to meet local health needs, while private sector partners will have clarity about regulatory requirements and a better understanding of AI use in health systems and services.
HealthAI’s Impact
HealthAI contributes to enhanced health and well-being outcomes for all in alignment with the SDGs. HealthAI aims to achieve this by facilitating increased access to safe, high-quality, effective, and equitable AI solutions. This involves ensuring that AI solutions are not only safe to use but also comply with rigorous quality standards, delivering the intended health outcomes or system improvements.
HealthAI commits to providing information on market access authorisation and reimbursement processes while supporting an early warning mechanism to alert countries of adverse events. Through streamlined information sharing between countries and the establishment of a global repository of validated AI solutions, the organisation seeks to propagate the availability of proven responsible AI solutions. Furthermore, HealthAI envisions a positive impact on government revenue from regulatory activities, generating new sources of income for regulatory agencies and government budgets. This financial support is crucial for the sustained funding of regulatory mechanisms and additional investment capacity, ultimately accelerating approval processes across countries and leading to cost savings and bureaucratic streamlining.
Finally,by fostering an ecosystem that ensures compliance with internationally defined responsible AI standards, protects national data sovereignty, and supports local validation processes that enable feedback from civil society, HealthAI’s work will increase trust, investment, and innovation in responsible AI solutions for health.
Definition of Responsible AI
Responsible AI is characterised by AI technologies that align with established standards and ethical principles, prioritising human-centric attributes. In the context of HealthAI, responsible AI is defined as AI solutions that exhibit ethical, inclusive, rights-respecting, and sustainable qualities. These attributes encompass a commitment to protecting and respecting human autonomy, promoting well-being and safety, ensuring technical robustness, safeguarding privacy and data, adhering to laws and ethics, prioritising transparency and explainability, maintaining responsibility and accountability, fostering inclusivity and equity, upholding diversity and non-discrimination, and considering societal and environmental well-being. HealthAI applies these principles across all facets of AI technologies, from technical development and data use to technology implementation and its ultimate impact. This comprehensive definition is drawn from reputable sources, including WHO, the International Development Research Centre’s AI for Global Health Initiative, the European Commission’s High-Level Expert Group on AI, and pertinent journal publications on the ethics and governance of AI in health.
WMO marks its 75th anniversary in 2025 as a specialised agency of the UN dedicated to international cooperation and coordination on the state and behaviour of the Earth’s atmosphere, its interaction with the land and oceans, the weather and climate it produces, and the resulting distribution of water resources. It boasts a membership of 193 member states and territories. Weather, climate, and water respect no national boundaries, and so cooperation is key.
National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) work around the clock to provide early and reliable warnings of severe weather. WMO also measures and forecasts air quality and monitors and projects climate change. The overriding priority is to save life and property, protect resources and the environment, and support socioeconomic growth. With this work, WMO supports NMHSs and meets their international commitments in disaster risk reduction, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and sustainable development.
Digital activities
Data is in WMO’s DNA. Data is gathered from one of the most diverse data-gathering systems worldwide, consisting of more than 10,000 manned and automatic surface weather stations, national radar networks, ocean observing stations, and weather satellite constellations. Data exchange underpins all WMO core functions from weather forecasting to climate, hydrological, and ocean monitoring. Supercomputers and global telecommunications systems power the ever-growing appetite for data.
WMO also explores the role of new technologies and their relevance for public weather services, including the use of AI approaches. AI complements complex numerical weather prediction algorithms that process vast amounts of data and calculate the behaviour of weather patterns, providing short-term weather forecasts and long-term climate predictions.
Digital policy issues
Artificial intelligence
Impressive technological advances have taken place in relatively short time frames: satellites, big data, IT, and, of course, AI. WMO has evolved accordingly. To better serve society.
WMO recognises the potential power of Artificial Intelligence to revolutionise weather forecasts and early warnings. WMO Members traditionally made weather-related predictions via an observation system such as the Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP). That is changing rapidly, and several leading forecasting centres and national meteorological and hydrological services are now using AI forecasting systems to run alongside their traditional physics-based forecasts. The European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting says that its model outperforms physics-based models on many measures, including tropical cyclone tracks, with gains of up to 20% and a reduction of about 1,000 times in energy use when making a forecast.
WMO wants to ensure that, as more Members embrace AI, there is a level playing field and nobody is left behind. AI is now firmly embedded in WMO’s Strategic Plan 2024–2027, and in 2025 it was high on the agenda of both the Executive Council and the World Meteorological Congress Extraordinary Session. Key outcomes included a call to all stakeholders to collaborate on AI and ML environmental monitoring technologies, and the establishment of the Joint Advisory Group on Artificial Intelligence (JAG-AI) to coordinate WMO activities on AI, including the development of ethical and data-integrity guidelines by 2027.
WMO is co-sponsoring the AI Weather Quest, a global competition organised by ECMWF to advance sub-seasonal weather forecasting using AI and machine learning (ML). The AI Weather Quest has been approved as a WIPPS (WMO Integrated Processing and Prediction System) Pilot Project. This initiative aligns with WMO’s mission to foster innovation and collaboration in numerical weather prediction for the benefit of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) and end users worldwide.WMO recognises that, even with AI and ML advancements, human expertise remains central to effective Early Warning systems. This is reflected in WMO’s role as a lead partner in the UN Secretary-General’s Early Warnings for All initiative, which aims to ensure universal protection from hazardous weather and climate events through multi-hazard early warning systems by the end of 2027.
Digital standards
WMO maintains one of the most comprehensive standardisation systems with a detailed explanation of each step in the data cycle. WMO guidelines range from issues such as the position or the type of surface (e.g. grass) over which weather observation stations should be placed to uniform and structured standards on data sharing.
Data rescue provides additional benefits, including:
Making agrometeorological, disease vectorisation, and hydrological/climatological numerical models more credible
Enabling better projections of future climate
Allowing current weather and climate to be better placed within historical context
Providing basis to assess historical sensitivities of natural and man-made systems to environmental variability
WMO collaborates with organisations such as the International Environmental Data Rescue Organization (IEDRO) and Atmospheric Circulation Reconstructions over the Earth (ACRE) on data rescue initiatives.
The Unified Data Policy was painstakingly developed through extensive consultation with thousands of experts and other global stakeholders to meet the explosive growth in demand for weather, climate, and water data products and services from all sectors of society.
Approval of the Unified Data Policy provides a comprehensive update of the policies guiding the international exchange of weather, climate, and related Earth system data between the 193 WMO member states and territories. The new policy reaffirms the commitment to the free and unrestricted exchange of data, which has been the bedrock of WMO since it was established more than 70 years ago.
Why has WMO updated its data policy?
Recent decades have seen explosive growth in the demand for weather, climate, and water monitoring and prediction data to support essential services needed by all sectors of society, as they face issues such as climate change, increasing frequency and impact of extreme weather, and implications for food security.
The free and unrestricted exchange of observational data from all parts of the world and of other data products among all WMO members must be updated and strengthened to accommodate this growing demand. As the responsibilities of NMHSs continue to expand, a growing list of application areas beyond the traditional weather, climate, and water activities needs to be supported by WMO observing and data exchange and modelling systems. WMO data policy must evolve to accommodate atmospheric composition, oceans, the cryosphere, and space weather.
What are the benefits of updating the WMO data policy?
The new WMO Unified Data Policy will help the WMO community to strengthen and better sustain monitoring and predicting all Earth-system components, resulting in massive socioeconomic benefits. It will lead to an additional exchange of all types of environmental data, enabling all WMO members to deliver better, more accurate, and timely weather and climate-related services to their constituencies.
In addition to data sharing, the overall importance of data has been further highlighted by the WMO’s Guidelines on Climate Data Rescue, published in 2004. The document tackles why data rescue (i.e. preservation of vast amounts of collected climate data and digitalisation of current and past datasets for easy access) is crucial. It explains that practitioners of data rescue might encounter obstacles such as the high cost of data rescue operations and the lack of digital skills and competencies to use the necessary tools in data preservation. The Guidelines were updated in 2016 to reflect the changes in digital technologies since they were first published. They now outline some of the necessary steps in the data rescue process, such as creating digital inventories and digitising data values.
Over the years, WMO has also engaged in the following data governance developments:
Cooperation on data in scientific circles through cooperation between the International Science Council (ISC) and the WMO World Data Centres and discussion on data at the World Conference on Science.
Cooperation with the International Oceanographic Commission (IOC), whose Resolution 6 specifies that ‘member states shall provide timely, free, and unrestricted access to all data, associated metadata, and products generated under the auspices of IOC programmes’.
Discussion with the World Trade Organization (WTO) on WMO datasets and competition provisions in the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS).
Cooperation with the Intergovernmental Group on Earth Observations (GEO), which was established in 2003 to derive data policies for the Global Earth Observation System of Systems based on the WMO data exchange system.
WMO’s Unified Data Policy can be leveraged for the integration of climate and health information systems. The WMO Information System (WIS.20) is an established platform that can support improved data collection, sharing, and accessibility in climate and health contexts.
Sustainable development
Climate change is an increasingly recognised global threat. But what risks does it pose exactly? And how will climClimate change is an increasingly recognised global threat. But what risks does it pose exactly? And how will climate change and its impacts affect sustainable development? The complexity of the global climate system often contributes to significant gaps between scientific and policy-oriented understandings of how climate-change-related risks cascade through environmental, social, and economic systems.
WMO has addressed these gaps by connecting changes in the global climate system, as measured by the state of the climate indicators, to the SDGs based on extensive data collection. The aim is to improve risk-informed decision-making by aiding policymakers, the scientific community, and the public to grasp the interconnected and complex nature of climate change threats to sustainable development, thereby encouraging more comprehensive and immediate climate action.
Digital technologies have also played an essential role in the advancement of the World Weather Watch, a flagship WMO programme that allows for the development and improvement of global systems for observing and exchanging meteorological observations. The programme has evolved thanks to developments in remote sensing, private internet-type networks, supercomputing systems for data analysis, and weather, climate, and water (environmental) prediction models.
World Weather Watch consists of the following main building blocks:
National Meteorological Services collect data on land, water, and air worldwide. The WMO Information System (WIS) coordinates the data collection and transmission through its national, regional, and global centres.
Regional organisations that act as global hubs include, for example, the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) and the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT).
To produce a successful weather forecast, it is essential to ensure the timely delivery of observational data from as many stations worldwide as possible in the shortest time. What follows is an example of the Global Basic Observing Network (GBON) showing a map of observation stations worldwide.
Digital tools and initiatives
The Global Telecommunication System (GTS), as part of the WIS, carries data from observation stations to national, regional, and global actors. Most of the data is exchanged via the GTS in real time. Given the critical relevance of this data in dealing with crises, the GTS must be highly reliable and secure.
Smart data for evidence-based decision-making
In recent years, WMO has digitised its performance monitoring through the development of strategic and thematic dashboards as well as through the increased use of infographics and story maps, all tools conducive to evidence-based decision-making. In addition to a Key Performance Indicators Dashboard, WMO has launched a Hydro Dashboard, which provides valuable information on operational hydrological services worldwide. It is developing similar thematic dashboards on climate services and global data processing, and forecasting. Internally, WMO has created a centralised data repository that brings together data from various systems, surveys, and sources, providing easy access to reliable data and related data analytics. The data repository is essential to facilitating the flow of objective, evidence-based, timely performance information.
The global website, https://worldweather.wmo.int/en/home.html, serves as a platform presenting official weather observations, forecasts, and climatological information for selected cities worldwide. These data are provided by National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) globally. The website includes links to official weather service websites and tourism boards whenever possible. The information covers 3,458 cities, with forecasts available for 3,307 cities from 139 members, and climatological information for 2,216 cities from 171 members as of September 2023.
The International Cloud Atlas is the official classification system for clouds and meteorological phenomena adopted by all WMO members. This Atlas extends beyond clouds to include hydrometeors, lithometeors, photometeors, and electrometeors. It serves as a universal language for communicating cloud observations, ensuring global consistency in reporting. The Atlas is a valuable training tool for meteorologists, aeronautical and maritime professionals, and is popular among weather enthusiasts and cloud spotters, fostering a shared enthusiasm for observing atmospheric phenomena.
Digital WMO community
WMO established the WMO Community Platform, which consists of several digital tools that allow for cross-analysis and visualisation of information from all WMO member states regarding weather, climate, and water to provide better insights into the work and needs of the community and to contribute to greater participation in good governance. The WMO e-Library is another tool that gathers and maintains different publications, including reports and WMO standards.
Green WMO
WMO has both virtual and in-person events. WMO experts are also working to reduce the impact of global observing systems and other operations on the environment. WMO is among the first UN organisations to do completely paperless sessions (all governance meeting documentation has been digital for many years). We experimented at the latest Executive Council meeting (EC-75) with translating the INF documents (information documents) using AI tools. It may also be relevant to mention that the draft Strategic Plan 2024–2027 has a new strategic objective (SO) targeted at environmental sustainability, including green IT and green meetings.
WHO is a specialised agency of the UN whose role is to direct and coordinate international health.
Founded in 1948, WHO works with countries and partners to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable – so that everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health.
WHO assists countries in coordinating multi-sectoral efforts of governments and partners to attain their health objectives and support their national health policies and strategies.
Digital activities
WHO is harnessing the power of digital technologies and health innovation to accelerate global attainment of health and well-being. It uses digital technology intensively in its development of activities, ranging from building public health infrastructure in developing countries and immunisation to dealing with disease outbreaks.
WHO has strengthened its approach to data by ensuring this strategic asset has two divisions: (1) the Division of Data, Analytics, and Delivery for Impact. This has helped strengthen data governance by promoting sound data principles and accountability mechanisms, as well as ensuring that the necessary policies and tools are in place that can be used by all three levels of the organisation and can be adopted by member states. Digital health and innovation are high on WHO’s agenda; it is recognised for its role in strengthening health systems through the application of digital health technologies for consumers/ people and healthcare providers as part of achieving its vision of health for all. (2) WHO also established the new Department of Digital Health and Innovation in 2019 within its Science Division. Particular attention is paid to promoting global collaboration and advancing the transfer of knowledge on digital health; advancing the implementation of national digital health strategies; strengthening the governance for digital health at the global, regional, and national levels; and advocating for people-centred health systems enabled by digital health.
The Division of Data Analytics and Delivery for Impact and the Department of Digital Health and Innovation work closely together to strengthen links between data and digital issues, as well as data governance efforts. Digital health technologies, standards, and protocols enable health systems to integrate the exchange of health data within the health system. Coupled with data governance, ethics, and public health data standards, digital health and innovation enable the generation of new evidence and knowledge through research and innovation and inform health policy through public health analysis.
Since 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated WHO’s digital response, collaboration, and innovation in emergencies. Some examples include collaborating to use AI and data science in analysing and delivering information in response to the COVID-19 ‘infodemic’ (i.e. overflow of information, including misinformation, in an acute health event, which prevents people from accessing reliable information about how to protect themselves); promoting cybersecurity in the health system, including hospitals and health facilities; learning from using AI, data science, digital health, and innovation in social science research, disease modelling, and simulations, as well as supporting the epidemiological response to the pandemic; and producing vaccines and preparing for the equitable allocation and distribution of vaccines. To further its digital transformation, WHO established the WHO Academy, offering professional training modules (including AI ethics and cybersecurity), and the WHO Foundation, an independent grant-making organisation that supports innovative health initiatives worldwide.
Digital policy issues
WHO is a leader among Geneva-based international organisations in the use of social media, through its awareness-raising of health-related issues. It has more than 74 million followers on its social media platforms and has received recognition by the Geneva Engage Awards.
The WHO/International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Focus Group on Artificial Intelligence for Health (WHO/ITU FG-AI4H) works to establish a standardised assessment framework for the evaluation of AI-based methods for health, diagnosis, triage, or treatment decisions.
Data and artificial intelligence
The response to COVID-19 reinforced the centrality of data and AI for the health sector and WHO’s activities. Data and AI policies are covered by the following instruments:
WHO has established the Global Digital Health Certification Network (GDHCN), which allows countries to verify the authenticity of health information using the International Patient Summary (IPS) ISO standard. The GDHCN uses public key infrastructure (PKI) encryption to keep health credentials verifiable and secure across borders. This initiative enables people to carry internationally recognised health credentials for improved travel and healthcare access.
In 2024, WHO partnered with Saudi Arabia to implement a digital health card for Hajj pilgrims, built on WHO Global Digital Health Certification Network’s infrastructure. Over 250,000 pilgrims from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Oman received Hajj health cards as part of a pilot programme. The network now includes over 80 member states that can verify the authenticity of health information between countries.
WHO hosts the Global Initiative on Digital Health and the Global Initiative on AI for Health, a tripartite partnership with ITU and WIPO launched in 2023. The latter works to enable, facilitate, and implement AI in healthcare, with outcomes including benchmarking frameworks for evaluating AI systems, guidance on integrating AI into national digital health strategies, and meetings to align national agencies on safety and oversight for AI-enabled tools.
AI is increasingly prominent in WHO’s governing bodies. Several resolutions adopted by the World Health Assembly in 2025 (WHA78) reference AI-related issues, and WHO Global Strategy on Digital Health (2020–2027) – extended by WHA in 2025 until 2027 – includes provisions on regulating, benchmarking, and certifying AI and digital health medical devices. At the Executive Board meeting in February 2026, an item on harmonisation of regulatory approaches for data, digital health, and AI in the health sector was discussed, reflecting growing Member State requests for WHO leadership in this area.
Digital standards
Integration of Health Information Exchange (HIE): WHO collaborates with health information exchange standardisation bodies and organisations, such as HIE and Health Level Seven International (HL7®), to promote sustainable investment in interoperable digital health technologies and systems. Digital health technologies, standards, and protocols enable health systems to integrate the exchange of health data within the health system. Coupled with data governance, ethics, and public health data standards, digital health and innovation enable the generation of new evidence and knowledge through research and innovation and inform health policy through public health analysis. Promoting Better Integration of Health Information Systems: Best Practices and Challenges (2015).
SMART Guidelines – Digital Adaptation Kits: Implementation Research and Technical Support: Digital adaptation kits (DAKs) are software-neutral, operational, and structured documentation based on WHO clinical, health system, and data use recommendations to systematically inform the design of digital systems. DAKs include the package of business process workflows, core data needs, decision support algorithms, linkages to indicators, and functional requirements for a health domain area, which can then be incorporated more easily in a digital system. In creating these operational tools derived from WHO guidelines, DAKs provide a unique way to reinforce recommendations and ensure adherence to clinical guidelines and standards within digital systems for improved service delivery.
WHO Guideline: Recommendations on Digital Interventions for Health System Strengthening: Recommendations based on a critical evaluation of the evidence on emerging digital health interventions that are contributing to health system improvements, based on an assessment of the benefits, harms, acceptability, feasibility, resource use, and equity considerations.
Since 2018, gaming disorder has been included in WHO’s International Classification of Diseases (ICD). While the negative impacts of online gaming on health are being increasingly addressed by national health policies, it has been recognised by some authorities, such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), that some game-based devices could have a therapeutic effect. Given the fast growth of online gaming and its benefits and disadvantages, the implications on health are expected to become more relevant.
The health top-level domain name
Health-related generic top-level domain (gTLD) names, in all languages, including ‘.health’, ‘.doctor’, and ‘.surgery’, should be operated in a way that protects public health and includes the prevention of further development of illicit markets of medicines, medical devices, and unauthorized health products and services. Resolution WHA66.24: eHealth Standardizationand Interoperability (2013).
Net neutrality
The issue of net neutrality (the equal treatment of internet traffic) could affect bandwidth and the stability of digital connections, especially for high-risk activities such as online surgical interventions. Thus, health organisations may be granted exceptional provisions, as the EU has already done, where health and specialised services enjoy exceptions regarding the principle of net neutrality. Resolution WHA66.24: eHealth Standardization and Interoperability (2013).
WHO has dedicated cybersecurity focal points, who work with legal and licensing colleagues to provide frameworks for the organisation to not only protect WHO data from various cyber risks, but also provide technical advice to WHO and member states on the secure collection, storage, and dissemination of data. Health facilities and health data have always been the target of cybercriminals; however, the COVID-19 crisis has brought into sharp focus the cybersecurity aspects of digital health.
Ransomware attacks threaten the proper functioning of hospitals and other healthcare providers. The global Wannacry ransomware attack in May 2017 was the first major attack on hospitals and disrupted a significant part of the UK’s National Health System (NHS). Ransomware attacks on hospitals and health research facilities accelerated during the COVID-19 crisis.
A 2021 global survey found that over one-third of healthcare respondents reported at least one ransomware attack in the preceding year, with one-third of those paying a ransom. Even after payment, 31% did not regain access to their encrypted data. Security researchers identified vulnerabilities in at least 17 biomedical companies involved in COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing and therapeutics development, with additional attacks targeting clinical trial software vendors, laboratories, and pharmaceutical companies.
Considering that data is often the main target of cyberattacks, it should come as no surprise that most cybersecurity concerns regarding healthcare are centred on the protection of data. Encryption is thus crucial for the safety of health data: It both protects data from prying eyes and helps assuage the fears patients and consumers may have about sharing or storing sensitive information through the internet.
WHO’s SCORE technical package (Survey, Count, Optimize, Review, and Enable) identifies data gaps and provides countries with tools to precisely address them. SCORE has been developed in partnership with the Bloomberg Data for Health Initiative. As part of SCORE, WHO completed the first-ever global assessment of health information systems capacity in 133 countries, covering 87% of the world’s population.
The project Strengthening National Nutrition Information Systems operated in five countries in Africa and Asia – Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Laos, Uganda, and Zambia – for a period of four years (2020–2024). Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) and national nutrition surveys are the major sources of nutrition data for many countries, but they are complex and expensive undertakings that cannot be implemented with the required frequency. It is, therefore, critical to strengthen or establish integrated nutrition information systems (NIS) of countries to enhance the availability and use of routine nutrition data to better support policy development, programme design and monitoring.
A data-driven delivery approach sharpens WHO’s focus to address gaps, close inequalities, and accelerate progress towards national and regional priorities from WHO regions. The WHO Regional Office for the Americas is working to create open data platforms for evidence-based decisions and policymaking. The Core Indicators Portal provides a dataset of around 200 health indicators for 49 countries across the region from 1995 to 2021. The WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean is conducting harmonised health facility assessments and tracking 75 indicators through the Regional Health Observatory (RHO). The WHO Regional Office for Africa has prioritised investments in civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) and digital health. Its integrated African Health Observatory (iAHO) offers high-quality national and regional health data on a single platform and District Health Information Software (DHIS2) is now implemented in all but four African countries. The WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia is focused on promoting health equity through workshops that introduce member states to WHO’s Health Equity Assessment Toolkit (HEAT). High-quality data on health indicators is available on the Health Information Platform (HIP). The WHO Regional Office for Europe is prioritising support for countries’ national health information systems (HIS) through more robust data governance frameworks. Member states also have access to the European Health Information Gateway, a one-stop shop for health information and data visualisation. The WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific has released a progress report on each member state’s journey to achieving universal health coverage (UHC). Additionally, the Western Pacific Health Data Platform provides a single destination where countries can easily monitor and compare their progress towards national and global health objectives.
Sustainable development
E-waste
WHO recognises e-waste as a growing global health threat, especially for children and pregnant women exposed to toxic substances in informal recycling. In 2021, WHO released its first global report on e-waste and child health, identifying serious risks from lead, mercury, and other pollutants. WHO’s ongoing E-waste and Child Health Initiative – active in Latin America and Africa – develops frameworks for safer recycling, regulatory compliance, and advocacy to protect vulnerable populations.
Strengthening health information systems for refugee- and migrant-sensitive healthcare
Health information and research findings can provide a platform for understanding and responding to the health needs of refugees and migrants and for aligning the efforts of other sectors and sources of international assistance. However, the systematic national data and evidence comparable across countries and over time available for policy- and decision-making on health of refugees and migrants from around the world are inadequate. The WHO Health and Migration Programme (PHM) supports the strengthening of member-state information systems, providing specialised technical assistance, response, and capacity building.
Human rights principles
Improving access to assistive technology
Assistive technology enables and promotes inclusion and participation, especially of persons with disability, ageing populations, and people with non-communicable diseases. The primary purpose of assistive products is to maintain or improve an individual’s functioning and independence, thereby promoting their well-being. Despite a growing number of people in need of assistive products in every country, only 5%–15%, or one in 10 people has access to assistive products. WHO coordinates the Global Cooperation on Assistive Technology (GATE) as a step towards realising the SDGs and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), and implementing resolution WHA71.8 on assistive technology. The GATE initiative has the goal to support countries in addressing challenges and improving access to assistive products within their context. To achieve this, the GATE initiative is focusing on five interlinked areas (5Ps): people, policy, products, provision, and personnel.
Content policy
Infodemics
An infodemic is an overflow of information, including misinformation, that prevents people from accessing reliable information and hampers the ability of people to know how to protect themselves in the context of health. Infodemics cannot be eliminated, but can be managed by producing engaging, reliable content and using digital, traditional media, and offline tools to disseminate it; engaging key stakeholder groups in cooperative content creation and dissemination; empowering communities to protect themselves; and promoting community and individual resilience against misinformation. Digital health technologies and data science can support these activities by analysing the information landscape and social dynamics in digital and analogue environments; delivering messages; supporting fact-checking and countering misinformation; promoting digital health, media, and health literacy; and optimising the effectiveness of messages and their delivery through real time monitoring and evaluation (M&E), among others.
WHO-trained infodemic managers, over 1,300 of them from 142 countries, are already making great strides in member states and together around the globe as a global community of practice. In Serbia, the Laboratory for Infodemiology and Infodemic Management has been established at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade. With the support of the WHO Country Office in Serbia, two infodemic managers working at the Institute of Social Medicine have gathered a multidisciplinary team that will be conducting research and supporting infodemic management in the country and the region.
Digital tools and initiatives
Interdisciplinary
Public health challenges are complex and cannot be effectively addressed by one sector alone. A holistic, multisectoral, multidisciplinary approach is needed for addressing gaps and advancing coordination for health emergency preparedness and health security and is essential for the implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005.
WHO Classifications and Terminologies: operates a one-stop shop for WHO classifications and terminologies and delivers and scales use of terminologies and classifications. WHO maintains a portfolio of digital tools and methods for emergency preparedness and response, for example:
Go.Data is an outbreak investigation tool for field data collection during public health emergencies. The tool includes functionality for case investigation, contact follow-up, and visualisation of chains of transmission including secure data exchange and is designed for flexibility in the field, to adapt to the wide range of outbreak scenarios. The tool is targeted at any outbreak responder.
Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources (EIOS) is a unique collaboration between various public health stakeholders around the globe. It brings together new and existing initiatives, networks, and systems to create a unified all-hazards, One Health approach to early detection, verification, assessment, and communication of public health threats using publicly available information. Creating a community of practice for public health intelligence (PHI) that includes member states, international organisations, research institutes, and other partners and collaborators is at the heart of the initiative; saving lives through early detection of threats and subsequent intervention is its ultimate goal. Since January 2022, the lead of the EIOS initiative is hosted within the new WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence. As one of the Hub’s flagship initiatives, EIOS is one of the main vehicles for building a strong PHI community of practice, as well as a multidisciplinary network supporting it.
Digital proximity tracking technologies have been identified as a potential tool to support contact tracing in outbreaks and epidemics. However, these technologies raise ethical and privacy concerns. The document Ethical Considerations to Guide the Use of Digital Proximity Tracking Technologies for COVID-19 Contact Tracing – provides policymakers and other stakeholders with guidance as to the ethical and appropriate use of digital proximity tracking technologies for COVID-19.
The new Survey Count Optimize Review Enable (SCORE) for Health Data Technical Package was published during one of the most data-strained public health crisis responses ever – that of the COVID-19 pandemic. SCORE can guide countries to take action by providing a one-stop shop for best technical practices that strengthen health information systems, using universally accepted standards and tools.
WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence supports countries, and regional and global actors in addressing future pandemic and epidemic risks with better access to data, better analytical capacities, and better tools and insights for decision-making.
WHO Health Data Hub (WHDH) is a single repository of health data in WHO and establishes a data governance mechanism for member states.
Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) registers all births and deaths, issues birth and death certificates, and compiles and disseminates vital statistics, including cause of death information. It may also record marriages and divorces.
The open-access WHO Snakebite Envenoming Information and Data Platform is already working to shorten the time between a snakebite and receiving antivenom. It does this by mapping the distribution of venomous snakes, known antivenoms, and the proximity to health facilities that stock them.
Public health strategy, planning and monitoring
Global Benchmarking Tool is designed to benchmark the regulatory programmes of a variety of product types, including medicines, vaccines, blood products (including whole blood, blood component and plasma-derived products) and medical devices (including in vitro diagnostics). It is supported by a computerised platform to facilitate the benchmarking, including the calculation of maturity levels. The computerised GBT (cGBT) is available, upon request, to member states and organisations working with WHO under the Coalition of Interested Partners (CIP).
The organisation also integrates digital health interventions in its strategies for certain diseases. WHO’s Global Observatory for e-Health (GOe) aims to assist member states with information and guidance on practices and standards in the field of e-health.
The Health Equity Monitor is a platform for health inequality monitoring, which includes databases of disaggregated data, a handbook on health inequality monitoring, and step-by-step manuals for national health inequality monitoring (generally and specifically for immunisation inequality monitoring).
The Health Assessment Toolkit is a software application that facilitates the assessment of health inequalities in countries. Inequality data can be visualised through a variety of interactive graphs, maps, and tables. Results can be exported and used for priority-setting and policymaking.
Health facilities data
Harmonized Health Facility Assessment (HHFA) is a comprehensive, external review tool for assessing whether health facilities have the appropriate systems in place to deliver services at required standards of quality.
RHIS provides frequent, up-to-date information on service performance at all levels of the health system, enabling regular analysis of progress and timely identification of problems.
Digital health solutions
The Digital Health Atlas is a global registry of implemented digital health solutions. It is open and available to anyone to register and contribute information about digital implementations. The registry provides a consistent way to document digital solutions, and offers functionalities in a web platform to assist technologists, implementers, governments, and donors for inventory, planning, coordinating, and using digital systems for health. The Digital Health Atlas includes a special focus on listing digital technologies related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The repository of information is open to all users to register projects, download project information, and connect with digital health practitioners globally.
Be He@lthy, Be Mobile (BHBM) is helping millions of people quit tobacco, and control diabetes and cervical cancer. It helps people at risk of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and those who care for older people.
WHO has launched a women’s health chatbot with messaging on breast cancer. The new chatbot uses the Viber platform to deliver health information directly to subscribers’ mobile phones. People subscribing to the new chatbot will find information on how to reduce the risk of breast cancer, symptoms, and treatment options.
WHO’s prototype of a digital health promoter, S.A.R.A.H., started off as a chatbot to fight misinformation around COVID-19 and offered information on living healthily during the pandemic. The platform has since been expanded to provide messages for individuals at risk of hypertension and diabetes, offering accessible health information in multiple languages via messaging apps like WhatsApp.
Health-related research
The WHO BioHub System offers a reliable, safe, and transparent mechanism for WHO member states to voluntarily share novel biological materials, without replacing or competing with existing systems. Sharing of biological materials with epidemic or pandemic potential will be done through one (or more) of the laboratories designated as a WHO BioHub Facility. This will allow WHO member states and partners to work in a better and faster way, to advance research, and to be more prepared for health emergencies as well as ensure fairness in access to benefits arising from this sharing.
Resources
Resolutions and deliberations on eHealth
The Global Strategy on Digital Health (2020-2025) aims to support potential, national or regional digital health initiatives with a robust strategy that integrates financial, organisational, human, and technological resources.
Resolution WHA71.7 (2018): The resolution urges member states to prioritise the development and greater use of digital technologies in health as a means of promoting Universal Health Coverage and advancing the SDGs.
Report EB 142/20 (2018): The Executive Board in January 2018 considered the updated report ‘mHealth: Use of appropriate digital technologies for public health’. This updated version of the report also includes the use of other digital technologies for public health.
Report EB139/8 (2016): The Executive Board considered ‘mHealth: Use of mobile wireless technologies for public health’, reflecting the increasing importance of this resource for health services delivery and public health, given their ease of use, broad reach and wide acceptance.
Resolution WHA66.24 (2013): The World Health Assembly recognised the need for health data standardisation to be part of eHealth systems and services, and the importance of proper governance and operation of health-related global top-level Internet domain names, including ‘.health’.
Resolution WHA58.28 (2005): The World Health Assembly in 2005 recognised the potential of eHealth to strengthen health systems and improve quality, safety, and access to care, and encouraged member states to take action to incorporate eHealth into health systems and services.
WIPO is a UN agency functioning as the global forum for intellectual property (IP) related services (patents, copyright, trademarks, and designs), policy, information, and cooperation. The organisation was established in 1967. It currently has 193 member states and over 200 observers representing non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and intergovernmental organisations. WIPO leads the development of a balanced and effective global IP ecosystem to promote innovation and creativity for a better and more sustainable future.
Frontier technologies including artificial intelligence
WIPO pays particular attention to the interplay between frontier technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and IP.
The WIPO Conversation on IP and Frontier Technologies provides an open, inclusive forum to engage with and facilitate discussion and knowledge-building among the widest possible set of stakeholders. It leads the global discourse on the impact of frontier technologies on IP in this fast-moving, complex space. Each year, WIPO usually holds two sessions of the Conversation covering both the uses and applications of frontier technologies to assist IP Offices and IP owners, as well as more conceptual policy-based discussions to ensure that the IP systems continue to foster innovation. Recent sessions have addressed synthetic media and creativity challenges for policymakers (October 2025), infrastructure for rights holders and innovation (April 2025), generative AI and IP outputs (November 2024), and the relationship between AI training and copyright (March 2024).
WIPO has prepared a paper exploring the (potential) impact of AI on IP policies in areas such as copyright and related rights, patents, trademarks, designs, and overall IP administration. It also maintains an AI and IP strategy clearing house, which collates government instruments (strategies, regulations, etc.) that are relevant to AI, data, and IP. Recent policy publications include an IP policy toolkit on getting the innovation ecosystem ready for AI (2024) and updated factsheets on IP and frontier technologies and AI inventions (both 2024).
In March 2026, WIPO launched the AI Infrastructure Interchange (AIII), an initiative facilitating global dialogue on the technical and operational aspects of the IP system in the context of AI. Rather than setting policy or legal standards, it focuses on how technical systems and tools can support creators, copyright owners, and innovators, working through a Technical Exchange Network of experts from the private sector, academia, and civil society.
AI-related issues are also being actively discussed in WIPO’s Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR). At its 47th session (December 2025), the Committee discussed a Draft Work Plan on Copyright in the Digital Environment covering AI training and copyright, licensing and compensation, and good practice for the use of copyright-protected works in generative AI. An Indonesian proposal for a possible international instrument on the governance of copyright royalties in the digital environment is also under discussion, with deliberations continuing at the 48th session (May 2026).
The Standing Committee on the Law of Patents (SCP) has similarly engaged with AI-related issues. At its 37th session (November 2025), the Committee considered how jurisdictions worldwide address AI inventorship and exchanged views on legal and policy options regarding patentability criteria. A further session on AI tools for patent examination is planned for November 2026.
Cooperating with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in the AI for Good initiative
Supporting UNESCO’s work on developing the first global normative instrument on the ethics of AI.
Participating in the work of the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA), an independent foundation to leverage the anticipative power of science with diplomacy organisations and citizens working in Geneva and around the world.
Alternative dispute resolution and critical internet resources
WIPO’sactivitiesregarding the Domain Name System(DNS) revolve around the protection of trademarks and related rights in the context of domain names. It developed the Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP) with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). Under this policy, WIPO’s Arbitrationand Mediation Center provides dispute resolution services for second-level domain name registrations under generic top-level domains (gTLDs) to which the UDPR applies. The Center also administers disputes under specific policies adopted by some gTLD registries (e.g. .aero, .asia, .travel). In addition, it offers domain name dispute resolution services for over 70 country code top-level domains(ccTLDs). WIPO has developed a ccTLD Program to provide advice to many ccTLD registries on the establishment of dispute resolution procedures. It also contributes to the work carried out within the framework of ICANN in regard to the strengthening of existing trademark rights protection mechanisms or the development of new such mechanisms.
WIPO Online Case Administration Tools, including WIPO eADR (allowing parties in a dispute, mediators, arbitrators, and experts in a WIPO case to securely submit communications electronically into an online docket) and online facilities for meetings and hearings as part of WIPO cases.
Intellectual property rights
Trademarks
WIPO has long been involved in issues related to the protection of trademarks in the context of the DNS. The first phase of the WIPO Internet Domain Name Process, carried out in 1991, explored trademark abuse in second-level domain names, and led to the adoption, by ICANN, of the UDRP. WIPO has also contributed to the development of several trademark rights protection mechanisms applicable to gTLDs (such as legal rights objections, the Trademark Clearinghouse, and the uniform rapid suspension system). The WIPO Arbitration and MediationCenter administers trademark-related dispute resolution cases for several gTLDs and ccTLDs.
Copyright
WIPO is actively contributing to international discussions on the opportunities offered by copyright in the digital environment, especially to developing economies, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and women entrepreneurs. The organisation administers the InternetTreaties and the Beijing Treaty, which clarify that existing copyright and related rights apply on the internet, and introduce new online rights, while also establishing international norms aimed at preventing unauthorised access to and use of creative works on the internet or other digital networks. The WIPO Accessible Books Consortium furthers the practical implementation of the MarrakeshTreaty to increase the number of books available worldwide in accessible digital formats. WIPO member states are considering topics related to copyright in the digital environment at the multilateral level. WIPO also carries out research and organises seminars and other meetings on aspects concerning challenges and possible solutions for taking advantage of the opportunities offered by copyright and related rights in the digital era.
Given WIPO’s concerns regarding the protection of copyright and related rights on the internet, the organisation is exploring issues related to the roles andresponsibilities of internet intermediaries when it comesto online copyright infringements. The organisation carries out or commissions research and publishes studies on the relationship between copyright and internet intermediaries (such as comparative analyses of national approaches to the liability of Internet intermediaries), and organises events (seminars, workshops, sessions at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum and Internet Governance Forum (IGF) meetings, etc.) aimed at facilitating multistakeholder discussions on the potential liability of internet intermediaries concerning copyright infringements.
Comparative analysis of national approaches of the liability of the internet intermediaries (I and II).
Sustainable development
WIPO is of the view that IP is a critical incentive for innovation and creativity, and, as such, a key to the success of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). The organisation works to enable member states to use the IP system to drive the innovation, competitiveness, and creativity needed to achieve the SDGs. It does so, for instance, through supporting countries in their efforts to build an innovative IP ecosystem, providing legislative advice on updating national IP laws, and supporting judiciary systems in keeping up with technological innovation. WIPO’s contribution to the implementation of the Agenda 2030 is guided by its Development Agenda.
WIPO GREEN – online marketplace for sustainable technologies
COVID-19 Technical Assistance Platform – a one-stop digital platform for technical assistance provided by WIPO, WHO, and WTO on IP, public health, and trade matters related to COVID-19.
Climate change
WIPO’s Global Challenges programme brings together various stakeholders to explore issues related to green technologies and the environment. It hosts WIPO GREEN, a multistakeholder platform aimed to promote innovation and diffusion of green technologies, and it provides analysis of relevant IP issues to facilitate international policy dialogue. The WIPO GREEN platform includes a digital database of green technologies in sectors such as energy, water and transportation. In 2022, WIPO launched the Green Technology Book, a major digital publication to showcase concrete solutions related to climate change adaptation. The report will be fully integrated with the WIPO GREEN database, allowing for continuous additions by technology providers.
WIPO GREEN – online marketplace for sustainable/ green technologies
Digital tools
Here are some examples of the digital tools WIPO uses in relation to its services:
WIPO Online Case Administration Tools, including WIPO eADR (allowing parties in a dispute, mediators, arbitrators, and experts in a WIPO case to securely submit communications electronically into an online docket) and online facilities for meetings and hearings as part of WIPO cases.
WIPO GREEN – online marketplace for sustainable technologies.
WIPO Match– platform that matches seekers of specific IP-related development needs with potential providers offering resources.
WIPO Alert– platform to upload information on entities that infringed copyright at national level.
Electronic Forum– enables the electronic distribution and submission by email of comments concerning preliminary draft working documents and draft reports.
WIPO Connect – enables collective management of copyright and related rights at local and central levels.
ABC Global Book Service – on-line catalogue that allows participating libraries for the blind and organisations serving people who are print disabled to obtain accessible content.
WIPO Knowledge Centre – hosts virtual exhibitions. Recent subjects have included geographical indications, and AI.
The World Economic Forum (WEF) is a not-for-profit foundation whose membership is composed of large corporations from around the world. We engage political, business, academic, and other leaders of society in collaborative efforts to shape global, regional, and industry agendas. Together with other stakeholders, we work to define challenges, solutions, and actions in the spirit of global citizenship. The Forum also serves and builds sustained communities through an integrated concept of high-level meetings, research networks, task forces, and digital collaboration.
Digital activities
The Fourth Industrial Revolution is one of the Forum’s key areas of work. Under this focus, we carry out a wide range of activities covering digital policy issues, from telecom infrastructure and cybersecurity to the digital economy and the future of work. We have set up multiple platforms and global forums focused on bringing together various stakeholders and initiatives to advance debates and foster cooperation on the issues explored. We also publish reports, studies, and white papers on our focus areas, and feature discussions on the policy implications of digital technologies in the framework of the Forum’s annual meeting in Davos and other events organised around the world.
The Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution is one of the Forum’s key centres of thematic work, with digital technologies as a core priority. Building on this focus area, we lead a diverse set of initiatives spanning digital governance, AI, digital safety, and the broader implications of technological advancements on society and the economy. We convene global stakeholders through dedicated platforms and partnerships to shape discussions, build consensus, and drive responsible innovation. Our work includes publishing reports, insights, and policy frameworks on key technology topics, as well as curating discussions on their societal and economic impact at the Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos and other global events.
Digital policy issues
Telecommunications infrastructure
The Forum’s work in the area of telecom/digital infrastructure is broadly dedicated to shedding light on the need to advance connectivity and evolve towards new network technologies as a way to support the transition to the fourth industrial revolution and support the growth of digital economies. For instance, the Global Future Council of New Network Technologies, active between 2018 and 2020, explored, among others, incentives for network development and the role of new network systems in driving value and innovation. The Forum also promotes the role of digital public infrastructures in enabling digital inclusion and advancing sustainable development.
A specific focus area for the Forum is 5G. We have identified 5G as an issue of global importance and work on analysing the impacts of 5G on industry and society. In our report titled The impact of 5G: Creating new value across industries and society, we note that 5G will be critical because it will enable unprecedented levels of connectivity, allowing for superfast broadband, ultra-reliable low latency communication, massive machine-type communications, and high reliability/availability and efficient energy usage, all of which will transform many sectors, such as manufacturing, transportation, public services, and health. In another example, the 5G Outlook Series: Enabling inclusive long-term opportunitieslooks at what can be done to ensure that 5G is a technology that benefits people, businesses, and society. The role of satellites in delivering connectivity and the challenges associated with growing competition in Earth orbit are other areas explored by the Forum. The Global Future Council on the Future of Space explores ways in which international cooperation and public-private partnerships can drive sustainable and inclusive use of space resources.
Artificial intelligence
WEF is shaping the future of AI through initiatives focused on responsible governance, collaborative development, and cross-sector engagement. At the core of these efforts is the AI Governance Alliance (AIGA), a flagship initiative of the Forum. With over 600 members from more than 460 organisations worldwide, AIGA fosters a trustworthy, equitable, and responsible AI ecosystem, bringing together leaders from industry, government, academia, and civil society. The Alliance provides a global platform to develop policy frameworks, enhance AI safety measures, and promote innovative approaches to ensure AI’s positive societal and economic impact aligns with evolving regulatory environments.
To achieve its mission, AIGA focuses on several key areas:
Resilient Governance and Regulation – Supports policymakers in shaping AI regulatory frameworks and fostering global regulatory alignment. This includes engagement with key regulatory frameworks such as the European Union’s AI Act and evolving AI strategies in the US, Canada, Brazil, the African Union, Japan, and China. The initiative is focused on creating actionable solutions to bridge the gap between AI governance ideals and their practical implementation. This includes developing best practices for AI policy adoption and fostering international cooperation on AI governance.
Safe Systems and Technologies – Brings together Chief Science Officers and AI producers to advance technical governance solutions, particularly in areas such as AI agents, safety mechanisms, and standardised best practices. This initiative fosters a consensus on AI development safety, ensuring that AI systems align with ethical and operational best practices.
AI Transformation of Industries – In collaboration with multiple Forum centers, this initiative explores AI’s impact across sectors including healthcare, financial services, energy, and manufacturing. In 2025, AIGA will focus on empowering global and regional AI leadership by providing a platform for country and regional leaders to develop AI capabilities, share insights, and adopt global best practices. This initiative aims to strengthen AI strategies, ecosystems, and coordination to ensure equitable AI access. AIGA will also support cross-industry collaborations that leverage AI to drive innovation, efficiency, and sustainability across sectors.
AI Competitiveness through Regional Collaboration – Focuses on strengthening AI capabilities at the regional level by addressing infrastructure disparities, fostering AI talent development, and ensuring responsible AI adoption in different economic contexts. This work is supported by regional AI activation networks that provide tailored strategies for AI implementation in emerging economies.
At the Annual Meeting 2025, the Forum released ‘Blueprint for Intelligent Economies’, a white paper outlining AI’s role in sustainable growth and inclusive prosperity. Additionally, the ‘Industries in the Intelligent Age White Paper Series’ explored AI’s transformative impact across multiple industries, providing a roadmap for responsible and innovative AI integration.
In 2025, MINDS (Meaningful, Intelligent, Novel, Deployable Solutions) program was launched to identify and scale high-impact AI solutions that address global challenges. This initiative fosters collaboration, drives innovation, and shares success stories, guiding the adoption of transformative AI applications. The first cohort of MINDS will be announced at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2025, with a focus on AI-driven solutions for equitable healthcare access, climate change mitigation, sustainable energy transitions, resilient supply chains, and workforce transformation. By scaling replicable, high-impact AI use cases, the MINDS program exemplifies the Forum’s commitment to harnessing AI’s transformative potential for societal and economic progress.
As AI continues to evolve, the AI Governance Alliance remains committed to ensuring its responsible and transformative development. By uniting industry, government, academia, and civil society, AIGA drives innovation, strengthens governance, and maximises AI’s benefits while mitigating risks.
Blockchain and cryptocurrencies
The Forum works on governance issues related to the equity, interoperability, security, transparency, and trust of blockchain and distributed ledger technology (DLT). We also analyse the relationship between blockchain and cybersecurity and international security, as well as the future of computing. We publish papers on issues such as blockchain data storage, the challenges blockchain faces and its role in security, as well as guides such as the Blockchain Development Toolkit to guide organisations through the development and deployment of blockchain solutions.
Internet of things
The Forum’s Centre for Urban Transformation explores various issues related to the implications of connected devices and smart technologies. For example, the Council on the Connected World focuses on strengthening innovation and the global governance of connected technologies to maximise the positive benefits and minimise harm for all. One specific area of work for the Council is the security of IoT devices; in 2022, the Forum facilitated a joint Statement of Support on consumer IoT device security outlining key security requirements for consumer-facing devices. In 2023, the Council published the State of the Connected World report, which tracks governance gaps related to IoT.
The Global New Mobility Coalition explores issues related to sustainable mobility, including when it comes to the governance of shared, electric, and automated mobility.
Within the Centre of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the Quantum Economy Network is an initiative and global platform that brings together governments, businesses, and academia to explore the potential of quantum technologies, shape their development, and prepare for their integration into the quantum economy. It focuses on identifying, deploying, and advancing near-term quantum applications for business and sustainability while developing tools to ensure a secure transition. The Network operates through two key workstreams: the Quantum Economy Blueprint, which democratizes access to quantum resources and guides policymakers in building a responsible quantum ecosystem, and the Quantum Application Hub, an experiential platform showcasing societal and industry applications of quantum technologies.
We host a Cybercrime Atlas Initiative dedicated to strengthening coordination between the private sector and law enforcement in fighting cybercrime.
Cybercrime also constitutes the focus of various studies and articles we have published, which delve into issues such as emerging threats and ways to tackle them.
The Forum has launched a Centre for Cybersecurity dedicated to ‘fostering international dialogues and collaboration between the global cybersecurity community both in the public and private sectors’. Multiple projects are run under this platform, such as the Cybersecurity Learning Hub and the Digital Trust initiative. The cyber resilience of critical sectors, such as electricity and the oil and gas industry, is also a focus area for us.
The Forum hosts a Global Future Council on the Future of Cybersecurity, which explores modalities for strengthening cyber risk management across economies and societies. Quantum security and digital trust are among the Council’s focus areas.
Every year, we bring together actors from the public and private sectors to foster collaboration on making cyberspace safer and more resilient, in the framework of the Annual Meeting on Cybersecurity.
The Cross-Border Data Flows project under the Forum’s Digital Trade Initiative looks at how policymakers can advance data transfer governance arrangements while ensuring policy interoperability for data flows.
The Forum regularly publishes reports and papers on data governance issues such as restoring trust in data, cross-border data flows, data protection and security, among others.
E-commerce and trade and digital business models
Several activities and projects run by the Forum focus on e-commerce and broader digital economy-related issues. Under our Digital Trade initiative (part of the Centre for Regions,Trade and Geopolitics), we have been exploring opportunities and challenges associated with digital trade, while also engaging in the shaping of global, regional, and industry agendas on digital trade. Projects run within the initiative include, among others, the Digital Economy Agreement Leadership Group – which aims to contribute to the growth of inclusive and sustainable digital economies, and the TradeTech project – which facilitates dialogue on public policy and regulatory practices related to digital trade. The Digital Payments for Trade and Commerce Advisory Committee – also part of the Digital Trade initiative – is dedicated to fostering interoperability, inclusivity, and coherent regulatory reforms for digital payments.
E-commerce is also tackled in studies, white papers, and events we produce, which address issues such as e-commerce in emerging markets, the impact of e-commerce on prices, and digital currencies.
Under the Centre for the New Economy and Society, we bring together various stakeholders to promote new approaches to competitiveness in the digital economy, with a focus on issues such as education and skills, equality and inclusion, and improved economic opportunities for people.
Future of work
The future of work is a topic that spans multiple Forum activities. For instance, under the Centre for the New Economy and Society, several projects focus on issues such as education, skills, upskilling and reskilling, and equality and inclusion in the world of work. We have also launched a Reskilling Revolution Initiative, aimed at contributing to providing better jobs, education, and skills to one billion people by 2030. Projects under this platform include, among others, Education 4.0 (focused on mapping needed reforms to primary and secondary education systems), Education and Skills Country Accelerators (dedicated to advancing gender parity, promoting upskilling and reskilling, and improving education systems), and Skills-first (focused on transforming adult education and workforce skills). Also part of the Reskilling Revolution is the Future Skills Alliance, whose main objective is to facilitate the adoption of skills-first management practices and give workers a fair and equal opportunity to excel in the labour market. The Forum publishes regular reports on the Future of Jobs, exploring the evolution of jobs and skills and how technology and socioeconomic trends shape the workplace of the future. Other notable publications and tools developed by the Forum include the white paper on Putting Skills First: A Framework for Action and the Global Skills Taxonomy.
Digital inclusion
The EDISON Alliance, launched in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, drives a holistic, ecosystem-led approach to digital inclusion. Part of the Forum’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the Alliance launched the 1 Billion Lives Challenge, an ambitious goal to enhance the lives of 1 billion people by 2025 through affordable and accessible digital solutions in education, financial services, and healthcare. Since its launch in 2021, the Alliance has mobilised over 350 initiatives across 130 countries, successfully impacting 1 billion lives. However, as global focus shifts to emerging technologies like AI, there is a growing risk of declining investment in digital inclusion, potentially widening the digital divide. Tools developed by the Alliance include principles for digital health inclusion, a guidebook for digital inclusion bond financing, and a Digital Inclusion Navigator that provides access to case studies and best practices related to bridging digital divides.
Strategic Intelligence: The Forum’s platform provides access to transformation maps – mappings of ‘hundreds of global issues and their interdependencies’.
UNECE is one of five regional commissions of the UN. Its major aim is to promote pan-European economic integration. To do so, it brings together 56 countries in Europe, North America, and Central Asia, which discuss and cooperate on economic and sectoral issues.
UNECE works to promote sustainable development and economic growth through policy dialogue, negotiation of international legal instruments, development of regulations and norms, exchange and application of best practices, economic and technical expertise, and technical cooperation for countries with economies in transition. It also sets out norms, standards, and conventions to facilitate international cooperation.
UNECE’s work in the field of statistics is also relevant for digital policy issues. For example, the 2019 Guidance on Modernizing Statistical Legislation – which guides countries through the process of reviewing and revising statistical legislation – covers issues such as open data, national and international data exchanges, and government data management.
UNECE also pioneers digitalisation efforts towards sustainable transformation of the energy system, by enabling a constructive dialogue to help bridge the gap between academic research, industrial innovations, and policy needs.
UNECE carries out extensive work in the area of sustainable transport, leading on several UN Conventions. Accession to the conventions continues to increase as more and more member states realise the benefits in the time taken and associated costs in the movement of goods. Numerous digitised systems have been developed, and are maintained, hosted, and administered under the auspices of UNECE. For a number of other tools and mechanisms, work is underway.
Artificial Intelligence
The UNECE has published guidance and a declaration on the Compliance of products with embedded AI. One of the key challenges of such products is the possibility that they change over time through remote updates, which could potentially originate outside the market of consumption; market surveillance agencies will need to ensure that these products remain compliant with safety and security regulations throughout their lifecycle. The guidance serves as a voluntary framework for regulatory cooperation, providing overarching principles for setting regulatory objectives, assessing risks, identifying relevant standards, and establishing conformity assessment and market surveillance mechanisms. UNECE has also published guidance titled Improving AI Standards for an Equitable Future (2025), which includes recommendations for advancing gender-responsive and equitable AI standards.
As the UN centre for inland transport, UNECE hosts international regulatory platforms in the field of automated driving and intelligent transport systems. It hosts multilateral agreements and conventions governing the requirements and use of these technologies (such as the UN agreements on vehicle regulations and the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic). Its activities contribute to enabling automated driving functionalities and ensuring that the benefits of these technologies can be captured without compromising safety and progress achieved in areas such as border crossing and interoperability.
Within the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29), UNECE hosts the Working Party on Automated/Autonomous and Connected Vehicles (GRVA), which develops regulatory approaches for automated driving systems, advanced driver assistance systems, vehicle cybersecurity, and related safety requirements. In 2024, GRVA adopted Guidelines and Recommendations for ADS Requirements, Assessments and Test Methods and developed Considerations on AI in the Context of Road Vehicles, addressing definitions and use cases for AI-based systems in automotive products. In January 2026, it adopted a draft UN Global Technical Regulation on Automated Driving Systems (ADS) and a draft UN Regulation on vehicle approval with regard to ADS, both submitted to WP.29 for adoption in June 2026. The proposals are based on the expectation that ADS software does not rely on online self-learning AI that modifies system behaviour during vehicle operation.
To support this work, UNECE established an Informal Working Group on AI under WP.29 to develop a reference framework and best practices for the use of AI in regulated automotive safety systems. The group focuses on risk-based approaches to AI used in driver-assistance and automated-driving systems and is tasked with reporting its findings to WP.29.
The UNECE High-Level Group on Modernisation of Official Statistics (HLG-MOS) has been at the forefront of modernisation initiatives in the field of official statistics. These initiatives include innovative areas such as big data, synthetic data, and machine learning (ML) and AI. A UNECE guide, Machine Learning for Official Statistics (2021), can help national and international statistical organisations harness the power of ML to modernise the production of official statistics. Responding to growing interest in large language models (LLMs), HLG-MOS published a white paper, LLM for Official Statistics (2023), and subsequently launched a project on generative AI (2024–2025) to facilitate the exchange of experiences and lessons learned across the statistical community.
In trade, the newly released UN/CEFACT JSON-LD Web Vocabulary complements and enhances the capabilities of AI systems for trade-related exchanges. It aims to support interoperability by allowing supply chain actors to integrate a common vocabulary into business tools, including software applications and AI systems, ensuring that data shared between suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, transporters, financiers, and regulators remains consistent and machine-readable. UNECE has also explored the role of AI in trade facilitation through a dedicated UN/CEFACT white paper on the use of AI for trade facilitation.
Artificial intelligence for energy
AI and other technologies are inspiring energy suppliers, transmission and distribution companies, and demand sectors (buildings, industry, transport) to establish new business models to generate, deliver, and consume energy in a more sustainable way.
UNECE established a task force on digitalisation in energy to offer a platform for cross-industry experts from the energy sector and digital innovation to develop a unified voice on digitalisation in energy.
With systemic efficiency in view, the Task Force addresses a broad range of technical topics and policy issues beyond AI, from smart infrastructure and digital demand-side optimisation solutions for buildings also addressing behavioral barriers, to cyber resilience and overall governance of digitalisation in energy, extending activities across all sectors and aligning with the broader mission of UNECE.
In 2025, the Task Force advances research on the issues of interoperability and open source, explores the intersection between large-scale digitalisation and environmental sustainability focusing on data centres, launches its regional survey on Digitalisation in Energy, and continues studies and initiatives on the twin transition.
The group found that AI and digitalisation have the potential to reduce residential and commercial buildings’ energy use by as much as 10% globally by 2040 if applied throughout a building’s value chain and life cycle. In particular, applications of AI may help optimise a building’s orientation for solar heat gain and predict power and heat needs, thus increasing overall energy security and maximising the integration of renewable energy sources.
The group also found that AI and digitalisation could help achieve energy savings of at least 10%–20% in the industrial sector (which consumes around 38% of global final energy and produces 24% of greenhouse gasses).
UNECE has partnered with the University of Zürich to develop a beta-mode AI-powered tool (chatenergy.ia) that would offer a real-time interactive compendium of information and data resources on the resilience of energy systems. The platform showed how policymakers could benefit from a cutting-edge tool that could inform their policy decisions by facilitating knowledge management and dissemination capabilities. It could also help identify technology and policy breakthroughs and mobilise financial flows for resilience. The European Investment Bank, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the International Energy Agency, ITU, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the World Bank, and other organisations contributed their knowledge base to support and shape this beta-mode tool.
UNECE’s subsidiary body UN/CEFACT has been exploring the use of blockchain for trade facilitation. For instance, work carried out within the Blockchain White Paper Project has resulted in two white papers: one looking at the impact of blockchain on the technical standards work of UN/CEFACT and another looking at how blockchain could facilitate trade and related business processes. The ongoing Chain Project is focused on developing a framework/mechanism for the development and implementation of blockchain services infrastructure, and creating a whitepaper on a strategy for the development and implementation of interoperable global blockchain technology infrastructure. Another blockchain-related project looks into the development of a standard on the creation of a cross-border inter-customs ledger using blockchain technology.
Before that, cyber risks related to connected vehicles were apparent but not systematically addressed. Security researchers alerted the public to them by revealing various vulnerabilities. There were only narrow standards and guidelines for securing vehicles, such as standards for secure communication among Electronic Control Units (ECUs) and for hardware encryption.
UNECE’s World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (Working Party on Automated/Autonomous and Connected Vehicles (GRVA) WP.29) adopted two important new regulations on cybersecurity and over-the-air software updates and led to the situation where cybersecurity became non-negotiable for securing market access via type approval for those countries applying this regime. GRVA also developed recommendations on uniform provisions concerning cybersecurity and software updates for countries applying the self-certification regime.
Access to the text of UN Regulations No. 155 and No. 156 and their amendments
Digital standards
UNECE’s intergovernmental body UN/CEFACT continues making great strides in the area of digital standards. In a recent collaboration with the International Federation of Freight-Forwarders Associations (FIATA), it developed the electronic FIATA Multimodal Bill of Lading (eFBL) data standard. The basis of the mapping of the Negotiable FIATA Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading (FBL) with the UN/CEFACT Multimodal Transport (MMT) reference data model, allows the exchange of BL data in a standardised way, facilitating interoperability between all modes of transport and industry stakeholders. Similar to other data standards developed by UN/CEFACT, the data standard is offered as open-source for all software providers and industry stakeholders to implement. UNECE’s standardisation work builds on a family of reference data models in alignment with its strategy to become the next generation of global standards for trade and transport information exchange. Other digital standards in the areas of supply chain management, agriculture, and travel and tourism (e.g. Buy Ship Pay Reference Data Model, Textile and Leather Data Model (Part 1 and Part 2), and Travel and Tourism Experience Programme Data Model) are a great step toward paperless trade and benefit all actors of the supply chain by reducing costs, increasing security, and gaining efficiency.
Various other standards cover areas such as supply chain management, transport and logistics, agriculture, accounting and audit, travel and tourism, and the environment.
Third, UNECE keeps abreast of external developments (e.g. in Europe or an OECD country) related to challenges related to AI, privacy, and human rights. This is the case, for example, with the activities on transport and automated vehicles. The GRVA is reflecting on the impact of general AI policies in its activities and developed possible ways to add layers in its multi-pillar approach to validate the performance of the Automated Driving System, and therefore to integrate considerations on data management in the context of AI agent training, support features, and functions of automated driving, and collaborate with the automotive sector on this matter.
UNECE’s subsidiary, UN/CEFACT, serves as a focal point (within ECOSOC) for trade facilitation recommendations and electronic business standards, covering both commercial and government business processes. In collaboration with the Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards (OASIS), UNECE developed the Electronic business using eXtensible Mark-up Language (ebXML). Another output of UNECE is represented by the UN rules for Electronic Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce and Transport (UN/ EDIFACT), which include internationally agreed upon standards, directories, and guidelines for the electronic interchange of structured data between computerised information systems. UNECE has also issued recommendations on issues such as Single Window, electronic commerce agreements, and e-commerce self-regulatory instruments. In addition, UN/CEFACT works on supporting international, regional, and national e-government efforts to improve trade facilitation and e-commerce systems.
In addition, UN/CEFACT is reviewing its mandates and developing white papers analysing how AI can be used to facilitate trade processes. This includes examining how AI technology could be used to facilitate trade and related processes in the international supply chain including the study of areas such as data privacy, AI-based trade policies, the use of AI in e-Commerce and payments; how existing UN/CEFACT deliverables could be used in AI applications; and possible changes to existing UN/CEFACT deliverables, or new deliverables, that could be considered to support AI trade facilitation applications.
The UNECE Working Party on Regulatory Cooperation and Standardization Policies (WP.6) is currently reviewing the challenges that online marketplaces pose to regulatory agencies at entry into the market. The increase of small parcels each containing a small number of products poses significant challenges to market surveillance agencies in order to ensure that goods entering the market are safe for consumers; WP.6 is currently working on guidance based on best practices in the United Kingdom and other economies to address this issue.CT deliverables, or new deliverables, that could be considered to support AI trade facilitation applications.
Digital and environment
UNECE’s work in the area of environmental policy covers a broad range of issues, such as air pollution, transboundary water cooperation, industrial safety, environmental democracy, the green economy, environmental monitoring and impact assessment, and education for sustainable development. Much of this work is carried out by the Committee on Environmental Policy, which, among other tasks, supports countries in their efforts to strengthen their environmental governance and assesses their efforts to reduce their pollution burden, manage natural resources, and integrate environmental and socio-economic policies. UNECE has put in place an Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Programme to assist member states in working with environmental data and information and enable informed decision-making processes. As part of this programme, it promotes the use of electronic tools for accessing information and knowledge on environmental matters and supports the continued development of a Shared Environmental Information System across the UNECE region. The system is intended to enable countries to connect databases and make environmental data more accessible.
The INForest database offers the most up-to-date source of information about the size of the forest area in the UNECE region, how it has changed over decades, the structure of forests, the goods and services forests provide, as well as their contribution to the economy, society, and the environment.
Recognising the importance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) traceability in achieving SDG 12 and considering the rich body of expertise and standards already available through UNECE, it broadened the focus of the Team of Specialists (ToS) on sustainable fisheries to ESG traceability of sustainable value chains in the circular economy.
UNECE Environmental Conventions and Protocols (not necessarily covering digital issues directly, but relevant):
Updated recommendations on the more effective use of electronic information tools aim to assist parties, signatories and other interested states in promoting development, maintaining, enhancing, and using electronic information tools and applying modern digital technologies (blockchain, AI, digital twins, augmented reality, etc.) to support the implementation of the Aarhus Convention (2021)
UNECE has developed a series of tools and standards to support countries in measuring and monitoring progress towards the SDGs. It has also put in place an Innovation Policy Outlook, which assesses the scope, quality, and performance of policies, institutions, and instruments promoting innovation for sustainable development.
AI in sustainable Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and infrastructure finance
The UNECE launched a new 2-year workstream on the use of AI in Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) for the SDGs. This work will consider the transformative potential of AI in PPP and infrastructure projects by exploring the opportunities and challenges of leveraging AI to advance the SDGs. The UNECE will release a series of forward-looking policy briefs and organise webinars that will discuss key focus areas. In 2025, the following topics will be addressed:
Harnessing the power of data in PPPs: opportunities and challenges.
Enhancing PPP project identification and planning through AI.
Improving PPP stakeholder engagement and fostering transparency in public consultation using AI.
Transforming PPP financial modelling and investment decision making with AI.
Leveraging AI to optimise the longevity and safety of infrastructure assets.
The World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations has included guidelines on cybersecurity and data protection in its consolidated resolution on the construction of vehicles, including principles of lawful, fair, and transparent processing of personal data: (1) respecting the identity and privacy of the data subject; (2) not discriminating against data subjects based on their personal data; (3) paying attention to the reasonable expectations of the data subjects with regard to the transparency and context of the data processing; (4) maintaining the integrity and trustworthiness of information technology systems and in particular not secretly manipulating data processing; (5) taking into account the benefit of data processing depending on the free flow of data, communication and innovation, as far as data subjects have to respect the processing of personal data with regard to the overriding general public interest; and (6) ensuring the preservation of individual mobility data according to necessity and purpose.
The Customs Convention on the International Transport of Goods under Cover of TIR (Transports Internationaux Routiers) Carnets (TIR Convention, 1975) is one of the most successful international transport conventions. It is the only universal customs transit system in existence.
The TIR system, used by over 34,000 transport and logistics companies in its 77 contracting parties, has already reduced cross-border transport time by up to 80%, and costs by up to 38%. The eTIR international system aims to ensure the secure exchange of data between national customs systems related to the international transit of goods, vehicles, or containers according to the provisions of the TIR Convention and to allow customs to manage the data on guarantees, issued by guarantee chains to holders authorised to use the TIR system.
The ITDB is an international online repository of information for all those authorised by contracting parties to use the TIR procedure. It is an integral part of the eTIR International system since only users approved in the ITDB can use the eTIR system. The main goal of the ITDB is to foster the exchange of information between competent authorities of contracting parties and national associations.
The PIERS online platform is a publicly available digital tool accessible to governments and other stakeholders, enabling them to assess the sustainability of their Public-Private Partnerships and infrastructure projects, using the UNECE PPP and Infrastructure Evaluation and Rating System (PIERS). The PIERS methodology establishes a set of core sustainable indicators deriving from the SDGs, ensuring that PPP and infrastructure projects create ‘value for people’ and ‘value for the planet’, with a focus on the world’s most vulnerable.
The observatory will be developed on a geographic information systems (GIS) platform with three main pillars of services: it offers an electronic repository of UNECE inland transport conventions, an innovative tool to finance transport infrastructure, and a way to promote sustainable regional and interregional connectivity.
Climate Change Adaptation and Transport Infrastructure Tool – The ITIO GIS platform assists in the analysis of possible future impacts of climate change on transport networks. The tool enables experts to identify sections of transport networks potentially exposed to the effects of climate change.
The SITCIN tool allows countries to measure their degree of transport connectivity, both domestically and bilaterally/sub-regionally, as well as in terms of soft and hard infrastructure.
Founded in 1980, UNIDIR is a voluntarily funded, autonomous institute within the United Nations. One of the few policy institutes worldwide focusing on disarmament, UNIDIR generates knowledge and promotes dialogue and action on disarmament and security. Based in Geneva, UNIDIR assists the international community to develop the practical, innovative ideas needed to find solutions to critical security problems.
Digital activities
The research areas of UNIDIR’s SecTec focus on cybersecurity, such as threats and vulnerabilities related to information and communications technologies (ICTs), and the use of new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) applications in warfare. SecTec has supported the UN processes on ICTs Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) and the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) and continues to support the OEWG on security of and in the use of ICTs (2021–2025). It focuses on research and awareness raising on this topic with a broad range of stakeholders and maps the cybersecurity policy landscape.
Digital policy issues
Cybersecurity
SecTec builds knowledge and raises awareness of the security implications of new and emerging technologies. Cyber stability is one area of focus for UNIDIR, the work of which supports the implementation of specific norms and recommendations previously agreed by member states. It also explores options to strengthen cyber stability and crisis management mechanisms. UNIDIR provides technical and expert advice to the chairpersons of the UN GGE and OEWG on norms, international law, confidence-building measures, capacity building, cooperation, and institutional dialogue. The annual Cyber Stability Conference brings various stakeholders together to promote a secure and stable cyberspace and in particular the role of the UN processes such as the OEWG on Security of and in the Use of Information and Communications Technologies (2021–2025).
Launched in 2019, the Cyber Policy Portal is an interactive map of the global cyber policy landscape. It provides profiles of the cyber policies of all 193 UN member states, in addition to various intergovernmental organizations and multi-stakeholder instruments and other initiatives. This confidence-building tool supports informed participation by relevant stakeholders in all policy processes and promotes trust, transparency, and cooperation in cyberspace. The updated version of the portal was launched in May 2022, providing several new features, such as full text search, and is available in all UN official languages.
It can also support UN member states in responding to an invitation from the UN General Assembly (UNGA) to continue to inform the Secretary-General of their views and assessments on the issue of developments in the field of ICTs in the context of international security.
It supports transparency, information sharing, and confidence building by giving UN member states the possibility of making the results of the survey publicly available on their national profiles on UNIDIR’s Cyber Policy Portal.
The Cyber Policy Portal Database provides direct access to documents and references through the profiles of all 193 UN member states on the Cyber Policy Portal. The database allows searching across several categories, including state, type of document, topic, issuing body, and more.
AI and autonomy is one of UNIDIR’s core research areas, with a focus on examining the security implications of AI, fostering ethical governance, and promoting strategic stability. Research covers a broad range of topics from human decision-making and autonomous vehicles to swarm technologies, and is complemented by a growing body of publications, events, and multistakeholder initiatives.
UNIDIR SecTec recently launched the Artificial Intelligence Policy Portal, which gathers available information at the national, regional, and international levels on policies, processes, and structures relevant to the development and use of AI for military or security purposes. The Portal supports transparency, information sharing, and confidence-building in the field of AI.
UNIDIR and OHCHR are jointly developing a Framework of Responsible Industry Behaviour for AI in the Military Domain, aimed at producing voluntary principles and practical guidelines for responsible industry conduct, through an inclusive multistakeholder process. UNIDIR also co-leads the Roundtable for AI, Security and Ethics (RAISE) with Microsoft, a neutral platform for cross-regional engagement on AI in security and defence, with the second Global Conference on AI, Security and Ethics taking place in Geneva on 18–19 June 2026.
UNIDIR’s research equally focuses on security dimensions of innovations in science and technology. In synergy with the Secretary-General’s Agenda for Disarmament and recent UNGA resolutions on the role of science and technology in the context of international security, UNIDIR proactively identifies and examines emerging and over-the-horizon innovations. It analyses potential implications for international security and facilitates dialogue among relevant stakeholders to encourage cross-sector cooperation.
Cyber Policy Portal Database – UNIDIR Cyber Policy Portal Database is a valuable addition to the suite of digital tools developed by UNIDIR to promote transparency, information sharing, and confidence- and capacity-building in the digital age. With over 1500 documents, the database provides a wealth of information for policymakers and practitioners in the field of cybersecurity.
Artificial Intelligence Policy Portal – The UNIDIR Artificial Intelligence Policy Portal serves as an interactive global map of AI policy landscape. It includes profiles of AI policies for all 193 UN Member States, along with various intergovernmental organizations and multistakeholder initiatives. This tool is designed to encourage informed participation in all policy processes, fostering transparency, information sharing, confidence, and capacity building in the emerging field of AI. UNIDIR encourages governments to continually share updates regarding their national profiles using the AI Policy Portal Submission Survey.
Biological Weapons Convention National Implementation Measures Database: Over the last two decades, many initiatives designed to reduce biological risks have emerged at the international, regional, local, and institutional levels, including risk assessment mechanisms, codes of conduct, dual-use education, and voluntary peer review initiatives. It is unclear what happened to many of these measures or indeed, whether they worked. To take stock of these earlier risk-reduction measures and build an evidence base to inform the development of future measures, UNIDIR developed a virtual repository of these risk mitigation measures, complete with insights around lessons learned from these instruments.
Space Security Portal: Space policies and doctrines are evolving rapidly as more states articulate their perspectives and approaches to addressing space security. Building on the success of the Institute’s Cyber Policy Portal, UNIDIR developed the Space Security Portal to serve as a one-stop online hub for materials on the space security policies of key stakeholders, including states and regional organizations.
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