First meeting of the UN CSTD multi-stakeholder working group on data governance at all levels

1 May 2025 - 2 May 2025

Geneva, Switzerland

Event webpage

​The first meeting of the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) Multi-Stakeholder Working Group on Data Governance at All Levels will occur on 1-2 May 2025 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.​

Established in response to UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/79/1, the working group aims to engage in a comprehensive and inclusive multistakeholder dialogue on data governance regarding development.​

The working group comprises 27 member states and 27 non-state members, including representatives from academia, the business sector, civil society, and the technical community. Additionally, intergovernmental and international organisations participate as observers.​

The group’s mandate includes reporting progress to the General Assembly by its eighty-first session, focusing on:​

  • Developing fundamental principles of data governance relevant to development.​
  • Proposing measures to support interoperability between national, regional, and international data systems.
  • Considering mechanisms for equitable data benefit sharing.​

Exploring options to facilitate safe, secure, and trusted data flows, including cross-border data flows, in support of the SDGs.

This inaugural meeting marks the commencement of the group’s efforts to establish equitable and interoperable data governance frameworks that support sustainable development across all levels.​