IGF 2021 Open Forum #65 Strengthening Global Digital Capacity Development

The United Nations Secretary-General’s Roadmap for Digital Cooperation has set the way forward for implementing the recommendations of the High-level Panel on Digital Cooperation. Recommendation 2, which focuses on developing human and institutional capacity, is recognized in the Roadmap as being central to achieving real and sustained progress in this era of digital transformation, particularly for developing countries. In order to design and implement the actions needed to drive progress under this Recommendation, an extensive United Nations inter-agency and multi-stakeholder process has been underway since 2019, co-championed by ITU and UNDP.

This session will convene high-level subject experts and stakeholders to engage in an interactive discussion with participants on the key actions that have been taken to strengthen global digital capacity development efforts. In particular, the session will feature the launch of a global Multi-Stakeholder Network (MSN) to promote holistic, inclusive approaches to digital capacity development for sustainable development and discuss opportunities for stakeholder engagement.