2024 Global Digital Economy Conference

Ambassador Sha Zukang, former USG from UN DESA and Honorary Chairman of IGEA,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I thank the International Green Economy Association for the invitation to address the 2024 Global Digital Economy Conference.

In a world facing unprecedented challenges, from global conflicts to rising economic inequalities, digital innovation and international cooperation have never been more critical as we seek to drive the global economy forward and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

Our world is deeply interconnected, and so are the crises we face. Record-breaking extreme weather events strain our climate adaptation efforts, while economic instability and cost-of-living pressures persist. 

These challenges span geostrategic, demographic, and technological spheres. Fortunately, digital transformation, particularly through artificial intelligence (AI), is uncovering new opportunities. Here, the UN seeks to champion the use of AI to accelerate progress towards the SDGs.

As the UN Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres, said, “Digital technology offers an incredible opportunity to create a more just, equal, sustainable and peaceful future for all.” 

In these remaining years of the Decade of Action, it is imperative that all sectors of society, including governments, the private sector, civil society, and individuals, mobilize to address these challenges and realize the promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Technology offers unprecedented opportunities that have reshaped how we live and work. For instance, AI facilitates real-time data analysis and communication, allowing better monitoring and forecasting of environmental changes and ensuring prompt and effective responses to natural disasters. 

In agriculture, AI can support farmers by improving crop yields and enabling sustainable farming practices. In healthcare, AI has the potential to expand access to quality care, particularly in remote areas, by diagnosing diseases earlier and developing personalized treatments.

Digital innovation extends beyond AI. For example, blockchain technology can enhance transparency and efficiency in supply chains, ensuring sustainable sourcing and reducing waste. The Internet of Things can also enable smart cities to optimize energy use, reduce emissions, and improve the quality of life for residents.

In recent decades, China has sought to make contributions and elevate its role within international organizations. By initiating collaborative agendas and supporting global public goods, China has become a more involved player in multilateralism and international cooperation. Its South-South cooperation efforts have also benefited from the new technologies discussed. For example, AI-driven projects between China and African nations have improved agricultural productivity and healthcare services, demonstrating their potential to foster sustainable development across regions. 

However, no single nation can achieve the SDGs alone. The UN, too, is an organization of our Member States. We remain a place where the world’s nations can gather, discuss common problems, and find solutions. But at the end of the day, the challenges we face in the digital global economy are addressed through their action and are only addressed through enhanced international cooperation.

The digital world remains marked by persistent divides, unequal access to the internet, affordability of digital services, and disparities in digital skills. The innovation gap is widening, and the wealth generated by technological advancements primarily benefits a select few, often exacerbating economic and social inequalities.

Digital technology can perpetuate biases, including gender, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, if not designed or deployed correctly. This can lead to discriminatory outcomes in areas such as hiring, lending, and law enforcement. Data privacy and security are also major concerns, as digital systems rely heavily on large datasets, sometimes including sensitive personal information. 

Misuse or mishandling of such data can lead to severe privacy invasions, potentially exposing individuals to danger and eroding public trust in technologies. Additionally, the proliferation of disinformation, misinformation, and hate speech poses significant threats, with current regulatory frameworks proving inadequate to address these challenges.

To mitigate these risks and fully leverage the potential of digital tools, we must establish reliable, equitable, and ethical global governance frameworks. Ensuring the accessibility of digital tools, applications, and infrastructure, alongside capacity development and technology transfer, is crucial to preventing the expansion of the digital divide. Governments can play a pivotal role by investing in digital infrastructure, supporting new business opportunities, and providing training and reskilling programs for officials and the workforce. Doing so can foster an inclusive digital ecosystem where everyone can benefit from technological advancements.

The acquisition of digital skills through education and lifelong learning here is crucial. 

Individuals need to be equipped with the ability to develop, manage, and regulate digital technologies, including an understanding of the ethical, social, and environmental implications. By promoting education and training in related fields, individuals and communities can all benefit from the digital revolution, leaving no one behind.

Furthermore, technologies must become more ethical and transparent. Current models and datasets need to become more inclusive and diverse, with adequate testing to ensure systems are not perpetuating biases and discrimination. Raising public engagement and awareness is essential to build trust and ensure that digital technologies are used ethically and align with the values of universal human rights.

Promoting research and development of sustainable technologies should be a priority. Innovations that enhance the ability to address global challenges can lead to more sustainable outcomes. Collaboration between governments, industries, and academia is vital to support research initiatives focusing on energy-efficient models, responsible data practices, and equitable applications.

The UN, with its platform, hopes to facilitate the development and implementation of a global digital economy framework. The AI Advisory Body launched by the UN Secretary-General in October 2023 aims to identify guiding principles and functions for such a framework. Its outcomes will contribute to the Global Digital Compact, to be agreed upon by Member States at the upcoming Summit of the Future.

The Global Digital Compact aims to foster multi-stakeholder cooperation towards an open, secure, and human-centred digital future, grounded in the principles of the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the 2030 Agenda. I encourage all relevant stakeholders to actively engage in discussions on the Compact and global conversations on digital governance. By doing so, we can ensure that technologies serve as powerful tools for sustainable development, benefiting all of humanity.

Dear friends,

As we stand at the crossroads of unprecedented global challenges, I urge every sector of society to join forces in leveraging the power of digital technology and innovation. 

Let us embrace collaboration and collective action to drive progress towards the SDGs. Together, we can create a future that is sustainable, resilient, and equitable for all.

I wish you all productive discussions and a successful conference.

Thank you.