The Global Digital Compact is a part of a United Nations (UN) Secretary General led initiative to address current and emerging global challenges. The aim of the GDC is to outline shared principles for an open, free and secure digital future for all.
On 13 February 2024, auDA participated in stakeholder consultations led by the co-facilitators of the Global Digital Compact (GDC). The GDC is expected to be agreed by governments at the UN Summit of the Future in September.
auDA is engaging in the GDC process in accordance with our commitment to advocate for the multi-stakeholder approach to internet governance. We wrote about the GDC in a blog post last year and in our Internet Governance Roadmap.
auDA joined many other stakeholders, including UN agencies, non-government organisations, universities, rights protection organisations and digital policy experts at the consultation. While a range of views were presented, we were pleased to note many of the stakeholder statements expressed positions that we are supportive of, including:
- Support for multistakeholder processes and need for collaboration/ inclusion in all digital processes
- Minimising the potential for duplication and building on/evolving existing processes, such as the Internet Governance Forum
- Establishing clear goals to prioritise the Sustainable Development Goals, bridging the digital divide and respecting human rights.
Due to the large number of participants, auDA didn’t have the opportunity to present a statement during the consultation. The statement we would have made is given below.
The .au Domain Administration is Australia’s country code Top-Level Domain operator. We are part of the technical community and an important part of Australia’s digital economy.
The technical community is an integral stakeholder group in shaping the development of our digital future. We welcome this opportunity to make a statement.
auDA believes that digital technologies provide unprecedented opportunities for sustainable economic growth and social wellbeing. They are a critical tool for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
But, they also give rise to complex risks and policy challenges, which must be addressed in ways that minimise harms while maximising the benefits of the digital world.
auDA considers the Global Digital Compact (GDC) should provide a reference point for digital cooperation, establishing the principles that will guide and sustain positive development of the digital world.
The GDC must commit to key goals such as:
• Closing the digital divide
• Harnessing the benefits of digital technologies to achieve the SDGs
• Safeguarding human rights; and
• Ensuring an inclusive, open, safe, and secure digital future for all.
It must follow a holistic, human-centric approach guided by values that promote human rights, international law, inclusiveness, transparency, and sustainability.
We do not support the development of new structures and prefer if existing processes (such as the Internet Governance Forum) are evolved to meet the challenges of a networked society.
This would maximise the use of scarce resources, increase efficiency and minimise the risks of duplication.
The GDC should recognise that the complex transnational issues resulting from the use of digital technologies cannot properly be addressed in silos. They cannot be addressed by any one stakeholder group, any one region, or by any one centralised system.
Addressing challenges and ensuring technology delivers on its promise of improving people’s lives requires effective and fit for purpose solutions.
auDA believes the best way to do this is through collaborative processes that include the expertise of a broad range of relevant stakeholders.
We recall the previous consultations on the GDC which also supported inclusive, multi-stakeholder participation in addressing digital challenges.
We believe governments, the private sector, the technical community, academia, and civil society must work together to cultivate and progress a positive shared vision for our digital future.
No single stakeholder group can do this alone.
auDA will continue to engage in UN and Australian Government consultations as the GDC is developed. For more information, you can keep an eye on the .au blog or get in touch with our team members.