Global Digital Compact

This page is intended to serve as an access point to contextual knowledge on the GDC, including analyses, updates from related events, and information about related processes.

In 2020, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations (UN), member states pledged to improve digital cooperation and shape ‘a digital future that show[s] the full potential for beneficial technology usage’. Building on this, the UN Secretary-General, in his 2021 report Our Common Agenda, proposed that a Global Digital Compact (GDC) be developed to ‘outline shared principles for an open, free and secure digital future for all’.

The GDC is the latest step in a lengthy policy journey to have, at least, a shared understanding of key digital principles globally and, at most, common rules that will guide the development of our digital future.

The idea of a GDC has additional roots in the 2019 report The age of digital interdependence, published by the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Digital Cooperation, and the 2020 Roadmap for digital cooperation issued by the UN Secretary-General.

Development of the GDC

Our Common Agenda envisions that the GDC is to be agreed on during a Summit of the Future: ‘Building on the recommendations of the road map for digital cooperation (see A/74/821), the United Nations, Governments, the private sector and civil society could come together as a multi-stakeholder digital technology track in preparation for a Summit of the Future to agree on a Global Digital Compact.’ According to a decision of the UN General Assembly, the summit is to be held on 22 and 23 September 2024, in New York. It was preceded by a preparatory ministerial meeting on 21 September 2023

In the lead-up to the Summit, a public consultation launched by the Office of the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology – and open until 30 April 2023 – was intended to collect input from interested stakeholders for consideration for the GDC. 

In October 2022, the permanent representatives of Rwanda and Sweden to the UN were appointed as co-facilitators to lead the intergovernmental process on the GDC. In January 2023, the co-facilitators announced the roadmap for the GDC process; the components of this roadmap – thematic deep-dives, the publication of a policy brief and an issues paper, and negotiations – can be seen via the timeline below. Updates were brought to the roadmap in December 2023, when the co-facilitators announced a calendar of informal consultations and intergovernmental negotiations for the first half of 2024.

In May 2023, the UN Secretary-General issued a policy brief for the GDC, outlining areas in which ‘the need for multistakeholder digital cooperation is urgent’: closing the digital divide and advancing sustainable development goals (SDGs), making the online space open and safe for everyone, and governing AI for humanity. 

UN Secretary-General’s policy brief for the GDC

The brief suggests objectives and actions to advance such cooperation and ‘safeguard and advance our digital future’. These are structured around the following topics:

  • Digital connectivity and capacity building. The overarching objectives here are to close the digital divide and empower people to participate fully in the digital economy. Proposed actions range from common targets for universal and meaningful connectivity to putting in place or strengthening public education for digital literacy. 
  • Digital cooperation to accelerate progress on the SDGs. Objectives include making targeted investments in digital public infrastructure and services, making data representative, interoperable, and accessible, and developing globally harmonised digital sustainability standards. Among the proposed actions are the development of definitions of safe, inclusive, and sustainable digital public infrastructures, fostering open and accessible data ecosystems, and developing a common blueprint on digital transformation (something the UN would do).
  • Upholding human rights. Putting human rights at the centre of the digital future, ending the gender digital divide, and protecting workers are the outlined objectives in this area. One key proposed action is the establishment of a digital human rights advisory mechanism, facilitated by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, to provide guidance on human rights and technology issues. 
  • An inclusive, open, secure, and shared internet. There are two objectives: safeguarding the free and shared nature of the internet, and reinforcing accountable multistakeholder governance. Some of the proposed actions include commitments from governments to avoid blanket internet shutdowns and refrain from actions disrupting critical infrastructures.
  • Digital trust and security. Objectives range from strengthening multistakeholder cooperation to elaborate norms, guidelines, and principles on the responsible use of digital technologies, to building capacity and expanding the global cybersecurity workforce. The proposed overarching action is for stakeholders to commit to developing common standards and industry codes of conduct to address harmful content on digital platforms. 
  • Data protection and empowerment. Ensuring that data are governed for the benefit of all, empowering people to control their personal data, and developing interoperable standards for data quality as envisioned as key objectives. Among the proposed actions are an invitation for countries to consider adopting a declaration on data rights and seeking convergence on principles for data governance through a potential Global Data Compact.
  • Agile governance of AI and other emerging technologies. The proposed objectives relate to ensuring transparency, reliability, safety, and human control in the design and use of AI; putting transparency, fairness, and accountability at the core of AI governance; and combining existing norms, regulations, and standards into a framework for agile governance of AI. Actions envisioned range from establishing a high-level advisory body for AI to building regulatory capacity in the public sector. 
  • Global digital commons. Objectives include ensuring inclusive digital cooperation, enabling regular and sustained exchanges across states, regions, and industry sectors, and developing and governing technologies in ways that enable sustainable development, empower people, and address harms.

The document further notes that ‘the success of a GDC will rest on its implementation’. This implementation would be done by different stakeholders at the national, regional, and sectoral levels, and be supported by spaces such as the Internet Governance Forum and the World Summit on the Information Society Forum. One suggested way to support multistakeholder participation is through a trust fund that could sponsor a Digital Cooperation Fellowship Programme. 

As a mechanism to follow up on the implementation of the GDC, the policy brief suggests that the Secretary-General could be tasked to convene an annual Digital Cooperation Forum (DCF). The mandate of the forum would also include, among other things, facilitating collaboration across digital multistakeholder frameworks and reducing duplication; promoting cross-border learning in digital governance; and identifying and promoting policy solutions to emerging digital challenges and governance gaps.

In September 2023, the GDC co-facilitators Rwanda and Sweden released an Issues Paper outlining their assessment of the deep dives and consultations conducted in relation to the GDC. In October, the permanent representatives of Sweden and Zambia to the UN were appointed as co-facilitators of the GDC process for the upcoming year.

GDC co-facilitators’ letter on deep dives and consultations

The co-facilitators note that they have identified ‘wide support from diverse perspectives for the establishment of a GDC that rests on the principles of the UN Charter, Agenda 2030, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights’, and that ‘joint efforts should aim to strengthen digital cooperation, close the digital divide and ensure an inclusive, open, safe and secure digital future for all, which is anchored in human rights and that enables the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)’. 

The letter then outlines a summary of main points drawn from the deep dives and the consultations, along several key topics:

  • The role of digital technologies in accelerating progress across all SDGs.Highlighted here are the importance of connectivity and digital public infrastructure, as role as the potential role of the GDC to support exchange of best practices among countries on digitalisation. 
  • Universal, affordable, and accessible connectivity. The need to connect the unconnected, advance digital literacy and skills, build capacities, and promote greater financial investment in affordable, accessible mobile connectivity are among the key issues. 
  • An open, free, and globally accessible internet. The significance of interoperable internet standards and protocols and the need to avoid internet fragmentation are highlighted. The letter also notes that stakeholders expressed support for strengthening the multistakeholder approach to the governance of the internet, and that there is broad consensus that the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) should continue to play a ‘key role in promoting the global and interoperable nature and governance of the internet’. 
  • Data protection and governance. Reference is made to the need to have a GDC that outlines principles to guide regional and national approaches to data protection and governance. Such principles would relate, among other issues, to ensuring that people have control over their data and to finding a balanced approach between free flow of data and data protection. 
  • Digital trust and security. The GDC could promote digital trust and security, and address disinformation, hate speech, and other types of harmful online content, while also advancing transparent and responsible design and application of digital technologies. 
  • Artificial intelligence. Here the focus is placed on the ‘need to further a common understanding of the risks’ associated with AI, with reference being made to potential approaches involving forms of regulations, standards, and guardrails. Also highlighted is the need for human-centric, transparent, and equitable risk-based approaches to the development, use, and governance of AI. 
  • Addressing the digital gender divides was underscored as a cross-cutting issue. 
  • Sustainability. Emphasised here are the role of green technologies and digitalisation in accelerating climate ambitions and the need to address technology-related drivers of climate risk. 

Another point emphasised in the summary is that, while the ‘GDC should not duplicate existing forums and processes’, ‘there is an expressed need to identify and address gaps to make the UN system and international cooperation more efficient and coordinated in responding to new and emerging challenges posed by rapid technological developments’.

In February 2024, the co-facilitators published a document outlining ‘possible structural elements’ of the GDC (more details below, under GDC topics).

What’s next?

Deliberations on the GDC will continue during the 78th session of the UN General Assembly:

  • Two rounds of informal consultations with member states and observers and with stakeholders between 12 February and 1 March 2024.
  • Member states, observers, and stakeholders invited to submit written input by 8 March 2024.
  • Zero draft of the GDC to be circulated by the end of March 2024.
  • The first, second, and third readings of the zero draft are planned for 5 April, 2 May, and 16 May 2024, respectively.

GDC process roadmap

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GDC topics

Update: Possible elements of the Global Digital Compact outlined by co-facilitators (23 February 2024)

As the process towards a GDC advances, the co-facilitators – the Permanent Missions of Sweden and Zambia to the United Nations – have published a document outlining ‘possible structural elements’ of the GDC

These elements, which ‘do not constitute specific language proposals’, include:

  • preamble to reaffirm, among other elements, that the foundations of strengthened digital cooperation (including the governance of emerging digital technologies) are the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and Agenda 2030. 
  • A section on principles to guide digital cooperation, such as: closing the digital divide; protecting human rights; advancing inclusive access to digital technologies; promoting responsible and accountable development of digital technologies; and recognising the role and responsibility of governments, private sector, civil society, and the UN and other international organisations within their respective mandates. 
  • A section on commitments and actions, structured around four main areas: closing the digital divide and accelerating progress across the SDGs; fostering an inclusive, open, safe, and secure digital space; advancing data governance; and governing emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence. 
  • A section on follow-up and review, to include elements such as monitoring implementation and reviewing progress against commitments; promoting coherence and coordination among stakeholders; and building on existing mechanisms and avoiding duplication. 

Member states, observers, and stakeholders are invited to provide input and comments on these possible structural elements on the GDC in two ways:

The vision for the Global Digital Compact was outlined in the UN Secretary-General’s Our Common Agenda report. According to the report, the GDC could address the following issues: reaffirming the fundamental commitment to connecting the unconnected; avoiding fragmentation of the internet; providing people with options as to how their data is used; application of human rights online; promoting a trustworthy internet by introducing accountability criteria for discrimination and misleading content; regulation of artificial intelligence (AI)

Building on this issue framing, the GDC co-facilitators organised thematic deep-dives – between March and June 2023 – on eight topics: digital inclusion and connectivity, internet governance, data protection, human rights online, digital trust and security, AI and other emerging technologies, global digital commons, and accelerating progress on the sustainable development goals (SDGs).

The policy brief issued by the Secretary-General in May 2023 proposes objectives and actions that the GDC could cover around eight areas: digital connectivity and capacity-building; digital cooperation to accelerate progress on the SDGs; upholding human rights; an inclusive, open, secure and shared internet; digital trust and security; data protection and empowerment; and agile governance of AI and other emerging technologies.

The Issues Paper published by the co-facilitators in September 2023 highlights a series of key issues, including: digital divide; universal, affordable and accessibile connectivity; digital literacy and skills; digital gender divides; digital technologies for sustainable development; inclusive, open, safe, and secure digital future for all; open, free, and globally accessible internet; data protection and governance; digital trust and security; artificial intelligence; and sustainability.

Below we provide more background information about the topics tackled during the 2023 deep-dives. When the Zero Draft will be published by the co-facilitators, we will consider re-structuring this section to match the topics covered in the draft.

1. Digital inclusion and connectivity

The concept of digital inclusion goes far beyond just deploying infrastructures to connect people and institutions to the internet. It encompasses a variety of essential factors, from affordability and skills development to multilingualism and access to local content. Additionally, there is a pressing need to address the digital inclusion gap faced by women and girls, migrants and refugees, and other marginalised communities. Moreover, digital inclusion involves promoting access to job opportunities in the digital economy and actively participating in relevant digital policy-making processes. In other words, digital inclusion is not just about connectivity, but about creating an equitable and inclusive digital society.

Dive deeper

Explore key digital policy issues related to digital inclusion and connectivity via the following Digital Watch dedicated pages:
See how the topic of digital inclusion and connectivity has been covered in a few key policy documents, from the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society to the most recent UNGA resolution on ICT for sustainable development.

2. Internet governance

Internet governance is ‘the development and application by governments, the private sector, and civil society, in their respective roles, of shared principles, norms, rules, decision-making procedures, and programs that shape the evolution and use of the Internet’. This definition was adopted back in 2005, during the World Summit on the Information Society. It has remained unchanged ever since. The internet governance regime has continuously evolved since then. It is now a complex system involving a multitude of issues, actors, mechanisms, procedures, and instruments.

Dive deeper

Explore related issues via the following Digital Watch pages:
See how the topic of internet governance has been covered in a few key policy documents, from the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society to the most recent UNGA resolution on ICT for sustainable development.

3. Data protection

The rapid digitalisation of societies has left users exposed to private tracking and public monitoring, creating a complex challenge to protect personal data and privacy. Outlining data subject rights and establishing responsibilities for their protection, clarifying meaningful consent for data processing, and setting conditions for international data transfers are some of the key issues regulators around the world have been dealing with. But the concept of data protection goes beyond personal information. Here data governance comes into play; it refers to the norms, principles, and rules governing several different types of data, including business, public, and personal data. Historically, data governance has been carried out on a national level to reflect specific cultural, legal, and historical specificities. However, owing to the global nature of the internet, data can effortlessly traverse borders and jurisdictions. This has given rise to discussions on concepts such as free flows of data and data localisation.

Dive deeper

Explore related issues via the following Digital Watch pages:
See how the topic of data protection has been covered in a few key policy documents, from the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society to the most recent UNGA resolution on ICT for sustainable development.

4. Human rights online

The same rights that people have offline must also be protected online is the underlying principle for human rights on the internet. Human rights issues are cross-cutting and interdependent. For example, the freedom of expression and information is related to access to the internet and net neutrality. The protection of minority rights is influenced by multilingualism and the promotion of cultural diversity in the digital space. Children’s rights have a strong security element. Ensuring the protection of privacy is important in dealing with cybersecurity.

Dive deeper

Explore related issues via the following Digital Watch pages:
See how the topic of human rights online has been covered in a few key policy documents, from the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society to the most recent UNGA resolution on ICT for sustainable development.

5. Digital trust and security

Trust is the social glue that binds people, communities, and countries together. Many of our online routines are built on trust, just like offline. Trust is important in technology, and also in the industry that supplies the services or products. We also need to trust the government that should protect our rights online as does offline. Trust improves predictability in digital developments, and facilitates growth. But building and maintaining trust in the digital world is a complex undertaking, as cyberspace is increasingly used by state and non-state actors for malicious purposes. Effective digital security requires a holistic approach to better tackle the interplays between security, economic development, human rights, as well as sociocultural and infrastructural aspects. It involves dealing with a range of issues, from protecting cybersecurity and fighting cybercrime, to tackling the spread of violent extremism online.

Dive deeper

Explore related issues via the following Digital Watch pages:

6. AI and other emerging technologies

High-level Advisory Body on AI

In October 2023, the UN Secretary-General appointed a 39-member High-level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence to advance recommendations for the international governance of AI. In December 2023, the body published its Interim Report: Governing AI for Humanity.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become an integral component of many digital services and products, guiding our online experiences and powering intelligent devices. Its pervasive influence also extends to how decisions are made about us, such as in recruitment processes, financial services, and the judiciary system. The transformative impact of AI has left its mark on various sectors, including financial markets and public health. The policy ramifications of AI are profound. While AI has the potential to drive economic growth, concerns over widespread disruption – for instance in the job market – have been mounting. Algorithmic decision-making can propagate discrimination, harmful stereotypes, and societal inequality. Issues related to privacy, safety, and security have also come under scrutiny. But AI is not the only advanced technology posed to impact our societies; augmented and virtual reality, blockchain, and quantum computing are just a few examples of other technologies that are triggering more and more policy discussions.

Dive deeper

7. Global digital commons

Various policy documents, from WSIS outcomes to the UN Secretary-General’s Roadmap for Digital Cooperation, have highlighted the importance of promoting open-source software, open data, open artificial intelligence models, open standards, and open content to achieve the benefits of digital transformation. These resources, referred to as ‘digital commons’, are meant to be shared freely and accessible to all while adhering to privacy and other applicable international and domestic laws, standards, and best practices and not causing harm. There are calls for governments, private companies, international organisations, and civil society to work towards building new models of collaboration around digital public goods, so they can be used for the greater good. This would include setting criteria for classifying technologies and content as digital public goods.

Dive deeper

Explore related issues via the following Digital Watch pages:

8. Accelerating progress towards the SDGs

In an era when digital advancements are rapidly transforming industries, economies, and society, accelerating progress towards achieving sustainable development goals becomes more pressing than ever. The digital innovations of today – from the internet to AI – can empower us to solve complex global issues like poverty and climate change, and promote greater human welfare. But these same technologies can also exacerbate inequalities, accentuating the gaps between individuals and societies. Leveraging digital technologies for inclusive, equitable, and sustainable development is a task that requires meaningful and sustained international cooperation.

Dive deeper

Explore related issues via the following Digital Watch pages:


Geneva Internet Platform (GIP) activities

Tech attaches briefing: Unpacking the UN Secretary-General’s Policy Brief on the GDC | May 2023

Hosted in Geneva as part of the GIP’s series of briefings for UN member states missions, the briefing featured a discussion on key elements of the UN Secretary-General’s Policy Brief on the GDC.

Tech attaches briefing: IGF, WSIS, GDC – How does it all fit together | February 2023

The briefing explored the relations between the GDC process and existing processes and initiatives in the global digital governance landscape.

Digital Cooperation Day | Geneva, 25 October 2022

The event was organised by the GIP, the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations Office in Geneva, and the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM).

Main points from discussions:

  • Shift from the ‘what’ and ‘why’ of digital cooperation to ‘how’.
  • Address the lack of interlinkages among organisations and initiatives involved in digital cooperation.
  • Introduce the empty chair concept in meetings and discussions, to remind us of the interests of future generations.
  • Bring a more ad-hoc and agile approach to digital cooperation.
  • Shift from sharing data towards sharing outcomes of data analysis.
  • Inclusivity and impact – two pillars of Digital Geneva.

The full summary of the event is available here.


Digital cooperation timeline

This timeline helps you place the GDC process in the broader context of internet/digital developments and digital cooperation initiatives.

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  • Critical internet resources
  • Cybersecurity
    • Critical infrastructure
    • Cyberconflict and warfare
    • Cybercrime
  • E-commerce and trade
  • Digital cooperation
  • Key Internet developments
How it all started
To be continued