Video Message
Excellencies,
Distinguished Participants,
It is a pleasure to join this Global Forum and extend my warm greetings to you from New York.
I thank Prof. Tshilidzi Marwala, USG and Rector of the United Nations University and his team, whose close partnership with UN DESA has made the convening of the Forum possible.
Data, artificial intelligence, and the digital agenda are timely and relevant topics to be discussed today.
Data shapes policies, programmes, strategies and operations of Governments.
We live in a world of advanced digital technology, driving innovation, and engaging people.
But many challenges remain.
We have seen pervasive data gaps, technology gaps, and the digital divides.
The knowledge gaps between Global North and Global South in advancing digital innovations such as artificial intelligence is widening.
The need for global digital coordination and cooperation has never been more urgent as today.
The United Nations recognizes the growing role of data and the digital agenda. The capacity development initiative on digital data governance is vital to support countries in developing integrated national data governance frameworks.
Its ultimate objective is to ensure data availability, quality, access and usage, and enhance data security and personal data privacy.
I take this opportunity to thank the Government of the People's Republic of China for its contribution through the UN 探花精选 and Development Trust Fund, enabling the implementation of innovative, forward-looking and pro-active projects to support the SDGs.
Distinguished Participants,
Your deliberations during this Forum will address existing challenges and gaps in the digital world – and will help identify the next course of actions. Your conclusions may inform the Global Digital Compact, to be agreed by Member States at the Summit of the Future in September.
The United Nations stands ready to work with countries and partners for a sustainable future for all.
Thank you.