United Nations Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies

🔔 One week left to register | Action Day at the UN STI Forum on 6 May The United Nations Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies (ODET) is excited to welcome more esteemed speakers to the main stage for the Action Day at the 2025 Multi-stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals. – Whitney Baird – CEO, U.S. Council For International Business (USCIB) – Bruno Bioni – Founder, Data Privacy Brasil – Ambassador Anna-Karin Eneström – Former Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Sweden to the United Nations in New York & Co-Facilitator of the Global Digital Compact – Claire Melamed – CEO, Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data – Professor Vukosi Marivate – Chair of Data Science, University of Pretoria – Peter Vetter – President, Nokia Bell Labs These speakers will join a dynamic lineup to explore the future of AI, data governance, and global digital cooperation in the ECOSOC Chamber at the United Nations Headquarters. 👉 Register now: https://lnkd.in/eRXhDu_s Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eK28KF-Q #STIForum2025 #GlobalDigitalCompact #DigitalCooperation #AI #DataGovernance #DigitalEmergingTechnologies #DigitalInclusion #Science #Technology #Innovation #STI #SustainableDevelopment #UN #UNHQ #ODET

📌 Mark your calendar — UN Open Source Week returns in exactly two months, starting 16 June 2025. This year’s event, co-hosted by the United Nations Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies and the United Nations Office of Information and Communications Technology, will bring together over 1,000 participants across five days to shape the future of open source and advance digital cooperation. As part of the Open Source Spotlight Series, Lucy Harris from the Digital Public Goods Alliance shares reflections on what’s next for open source and why this moment matters. ➡️ Explore the 5-day agenda and learn more: https://lnkd.in/eHse7Wwm #OpenSourceWeek2025 #OpenSource #DigitalCooperation #GlobalDigitalCompact #DigitalEmergingTechnologies

Today in Turin, Italy 🇮🇹, Mehdi Snene, Senior Advisor for AI and Digital Transformation at the United Nations Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies (ODET), delivered the opening statement at the Pioneers Forum, hosted by the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (ITCILO). The high-level dialogue on Critical Skills for the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda brought together UN agencies to explore how the United Nations can drive positive change by harnessing emerging technologies for social impact. Key topics included inclusive data, agile policy & human-centered design. Dr. Snene’s remarks focused on the role of the Global Digital Compact and the importance of responsible digital transformation in accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. Special thanks to the distinguished speakers for their valuable insights: - Ms. Michelle Gyles-McDonnough – UN Assistant Secretary-General & Executive Director, United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) - Mr. Christophe Perrin – Director, ITCILO - Mr. Leif Villadsen – Acting Director, UNICRI - United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute - Mr. Miguel Panadero – Acting Director, United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC) - Hon. Edmondo Cirielli – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Italy Thank you as well to the International Training Centre of the ILO for convening this important dialogue. 💬 #ODET #DigitalCooperation #DigitalEmergingTechnologies #GlobalDigitalCompact #AIGovernance #SustainableDevelopment #DPI #OpenSource #DataCommons #PioneersForum

📢 Speaker Announcement | Action Day at the UN STI Forum on 6 May The United Nations Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies (ODET) is pleased to announce a distinguished lineup of speakers for the Action Day at the 2025 Multi-stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs. These leaders will bring their expertise in AI, data governance, digital rights, and inclusive infrastructure to discussions on the Global Digital Compact and the future of digital cooperation. Learn more about the event and full programme: https://lnkd.in/eK28KF-Q 🔹 Featured Speakers:  - H.E. Amal EL FALLAH - SEGHROUCHNI – Minister Delegate for Digital Transition and Administration Reform, Morocco  - Baroness Beeban Kidron – Founder, 5Rights Foundation  - Maria Ressa – CEO, Rappler & Nobel Peace Laureate  - Amb.Prof.Muhammadou M.O. Kah, – Permanent Representative of The Gambia to the UN in Geneva 📍 UN Headquarters, ECOSOC Chamber ➡️ Register now: https://lnkd.in/eRXhDu_s #STIForum2025 #GlobalDigitalCompact #DigitalCooperation #DigitalEmergingTechnologies #AI #DataGovernance #DigitalInclusion #ODET #STI #Science #Technology #Innovation

While in South Africa, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Envoy for Digital and Emerging Technologies, Amandeep Gill, met with senior officials to reflect on the country’s leadership in digital innovation and the G20. The meetings also offered an opportunity to explore continued collaboration on regional and global digital priorities—including the Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact. USG Gill met with: - H.E. Bonginkosi Emmanuel Nzimande, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation - H.E. Solly Malatsi, Minister of The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies - H.E. xolisa mabhongo, Deputy Director-General, Department of International Relations and Cooperation Many thanks to the Government of South Africa for the warm engagement and ongoing partnership. #ODET #DigitalCooperation #DigitalEmergingTechnologies #AIGovernance #GlobalDigitalCompact #DPI #SouthAfrica #Africa

In South Africa, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Envoy for Digital and Emerging Technologies, Amandeep Gill had the opportunity to visit academic leaders at the University of Pretoria and the University of Johannesburg to engage on digital innovation and cooperation. At the University of Pretoria, USG Gill delivered opening remarks at a workshop on Data Commons—co-convened by the United Nations Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies (ODET) and the Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research. His remarks offered a global perspective on how data commons can catalyze inclusive technological advancement and sustainable development. Key themes included: - Creating inclusive data capital to drive innovation at the intersection of digital technology and development - Enabling equitable access to AI by empowering diverse stakeholders to participate in research and solution-building At the University of Johannesburg, USG Gill met with Chancellor Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka. Their discussion explored AI research, innovation in education, and the potential of open-source technologies to support responsible and accessible AI development. Many thanks to both universities and all participants for advancing this important conversation. #ODET #DigitalCooperation #DataCommons #DigitalEmergingTechnologies #AIGovernance #SustainableDevelopment #SouthAfrica #Pretoria #Johannesburg #AI #GlobalDigitalCompact #DPI #OpenSource #EducationInnovation

While in Kigali, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Envoy for Digital and Emerging Technologies, Amandeep Gill, had productive meetings on advancing shared digital goals. 🌐 - H.E. Eng. Ahmed Alsuwaiyan - أحمد الصويان, Governor of the Digital Government Authority, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - H.E. Veronica M. Nduva, Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC) - H.E. Nthati Moorosi, Minister of Information, Communications, Science, Technology and Innovation (MICSTI), Lesotho - H.E. ‘Bosun Tijani Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Nigeria The discussions focused on strategies to advance digital public infrastructure, strengthen responsible AI development, and align efforts with the Global Digital Compact. Grateful for the ongoing dialogue and growing collaboration across regions to help shape an inclusive and secure digital future. #ODET #DigitalCooperation #AIGovernance #DPI #DigitalEmergingTechnologies #GlobalDigitalCompact #Nigeria #SaudiArabia #Lesotho #EAC #Africa #Kigali #Rwanda

At the Global AI Summit on Africa in Kigali, Rwanda, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Envoy for Digital and Emerging Technologies, Amandeep Gill, joined a high-level panel on “AI for Competitiveness through Global Collaboration.” The session explored how artificial intelligence can drive inclusive economic growth through global partnerships—focusing on building agile national AI ecosystems, enabling secure cross-border trade and data flows, and prioritizing strategic sectors for AI deployment. The discussion underscored the importance of international collaboration in ensuring equitable access to AI opportunities and positioning countries—particularly across the Global South—to compete effectively in the digital economy. Panelists included:  🔹 Ali Al Amine, G42 🔹 Amandeep Gill, United Nations Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies 🔹 Cathy Li, World Economic Forum 🔹 Hardy Pemhiwa, Cassava Technologies The session was moderated by Kendra Gaither (U.S. Chamber of Commerce) and followed opening remarks by Sam Altman (OpenAI). Many thanks to the Government of Rwanda and all partners who made this discussion possible. ➡️ Watch the session: https://lnkd.in/dEj4fnFA #ODET #DigitalEmergingTechnologies #AIGovernance #DigitalCooperation #GlobalDigitalCompact #AI #Africa #Kigali #Rwanda #GAISAfrica2025

At the closing ceremony of the Global AI Summit on Africa in Kigali, Rwanda, titled “AI Governance and Africa’s Positioning within the Global Context,” United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Envoy for Digital and Emerging Technologies, Amandeep Gill, delivered a keynote address on the governance of artificial intelligence. USG Gill emphasized the importance of a multilevel approach to AI governance: grounded in responsibility by companies, supported by national and regional frameworks, and reinforced by inclusive global cooperation. His remarks focused on: 🔹 The importance of building a shared scientific understanding of AI’s capabilities and risks, including through the development of an International Independent Scientific Panel on AI. 🔹 The need for inclusive policymaking shaped through a Global Dialogue on AI, as part of the ongoing multilateral process at the United Nations. 🔹 Ensuring equitable access to AI infrastructure, talent, and financing, including support for innovative proposals like a Global Fund for AI capacity-building. He welcomed Africa’s growing role in shaping the global AI agenda and emphasized the importance of continued collaboration to ensure AI serves all of humanity. Watch the full keynotes speech: https://lnkd.in/dzqa4TPY #ODET #DigitalCooperation #AIGovernance #DigitalEmergingTechnologies #GlobalDigitalCompact #Africa #AI #GAISAfrica2025 #Rwanda #Multilateralism

At the Global AI Summit on Africa in Kigali, Rwanda, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Envoy for Digital and Emerging Technologies, Amandeep Gill, had a fruitful meeting with H.E. President Paul Kagame. Their conversation underscored Rwanda’s leadership in digital innovation and the importance of continued engagement on inclusive, secure, and sustainable digital transformation across the region. As the United Nations marks its 80th anniversary, this moment provides an opportunity to reflect on the role of digital cooperation in shaping a better shared future. Deepest gratitude to President Kagame and the Government of Rwanda for the opportunity to connect on these vital issues. #ODET #DigitalEmergingTechnologies #DigitalCooperation #GlobalDigitalCompact #AI #DPI #Rwanda #Kigali #Africa #GAISAfrica2025