UNGIS Dialogue on the Role of Digitalization in the Decade of Action

During this global pandemic, the value of digital solutions has become even more evident, as online conferences, remote work, e-commerce and telemedicine are being used to keep society going. At the same time, we are being reminded of the huge divides that exist across countries in terms of the readiness to participate in ever more digitalized economies and societies.

The contributions to the UNGIS Dialogue on the Role of Digitalization in the Decade of Action express a shared view that digital technologies have been critical during the COVID-19 crisis and are essential to speed-up progress in delivering the 2030 Agenda. They show how digitalization affects a myriad of global concerns, such as those related to poverty and hunger, the future of work, global health, gender equality, economic development, access to education and climate change, to name but a few. The think pieces also highlight the importance of international cooperation in harnessing the potential of digitalization in an inclusive, resilient and sustainable way. This calls for a strengthening of the role of UNGIS in supporting and coordinating digital cooperation within the UN System.

Over the course of the Dialogue, UNGIS received contributions from 22 Heads of agencies. Between June and October 2020, all contributions were published online and promoted on social media by UNGIS and its participating agencies. During this period, the Dialogue received over five thousand web visits and about two hundred thousand social media views. On behalf of the Vice-Chairs, I would like to express my gratitude to all the Heads of the participating agencies for their insightful contributions.

New technologies have often spurred social and economic disruption, yet the current wave of technological changes under the “digital revolution” is unprecedented in terms of speed, scope and scale. The urgency of responding to COVID-19 presents us with a unique opportunity to unite in speeding up the development of a global digital society.

I encourage you to read the short think pieces collected in this publication as they stress in more detail the importance of finding suitable policy responses, more international collaboration, more policy dialogue and smarter partnerships in order to leverage digital technologies for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.