Informal consultations on the Summit of the Future, Chapter 3
Statement delivered by Ms Kristel Lõuk, Deputy Permanent Representative
11 December 2023, New York
Distinguished co-facilitators, colleagues,
We fully align ourselves with the statement made by the EU, but allow me to make some additional remarks.
In preparation for the Summit of the Future, and the Global Digital Compact negotiations, we need to keep in mind the existing commitments as well as look to the future and shape a shared vision on global governance.
First, Estonia believes in open governance that is accessible, responsive, and accountable to its citizens. We underline that a comprehensive multi-stakeholder approach is needed to overcome digital, data and innovation divides and to shape the governance needed for a sustainable future. It is essential to maintain a substantive role for a wide range of stakeholders in global governance in general, as well as the Summit and the GDC processes in particular.
Second, the widespread uptake of digital technologies has profoundly transformed our societies. Technologies will help us to reach our goals and support democratic governance, economic growth, better education and healthcare. However, as foundational principle, we should keep in mind that digitalisation is not only about technology, it is about people. This means that more than focusing on developing new technologies, we must focus on how to transform our societies. We need to build trust to ensure effective digital governance. Governments need awareness, knowledge and skills to employ technologies and build online services that will be used in practice and benefit our societies.
Third, Estonia is a strong supporter of the use and development of digital public goods and digital public infrastructure. We see clear benefit in co-creating, reusing and codeveloping already existing solutions. Pooling skills and resources encourage the uptake of interoperable solutions and support a better and faster digital development for all societies.
Last, we stand ready to contribute to the development of the GDC with the aim to outline the UN’s inclusive global digital agenda in a constructive and forward-looking setting. The GDC will be key for advancing an open, free, secure and human-centred digital roadmap. It is essential that this roadmap is built on universal human rights and supports Member States in reaching Sustainable Development Goals.
Thank you!