IGF 2024 Open Forum #32 Shaping an equal digital future with WSIS+20 & Beijing+30

The preparation for the Summit of the Future where 183 governments and various stakeholders are debating on issues pertaining digital transformation is a “once in a generation opportunity” to build political momentum and place gender perspectives on digital technology at the core of a new digital governance framework. The GDC process has drawn attention to how digital governance decisions can advance equality, particularly women’s and girls’ rights in the digital age. It has also shown that much more efforts are needed to build bridges between digital experts and experts working on human rights and gender equality and agree on common objectives and ambitious actions. As the convener of the Action Coalition on Technology and Innovation for Gender Equality, UN Women published a position paper in March 2024 that builds on CSW67 recommendations to help prioritize gender perspectives in digital normative frameworks, and better mainstream gender equality across all objectives. Many of the efforts led by Action Coalition leaders in preparation of the GDC are also informing the preparations of the Beijing+30 and WSIS+20 reviews, that will both take place in 2025. This is a unique opportunity to bring together these two processes and use the lessons learned from the GDC to strengthen gender perspectives in WSIS and ensure the Beijing review analyses how rapid technological change is impacting progress to achieve gender equality. This session will be the opportunity to drive and spark a conversation on how multi-stakeholder platforms can help shape a more equitable digital transformation and provide concrete recommendations for advocacy and action. It will bring together Member States, CSOs, Tech sector, youth networks and UN agencies to discuss ways to mobilize the capacities and resources of all people and showcase that efforts to strengthen gender equality in digital cooperation are transformative and beneficial to everyone, because they promote inclusiveness more broadly.

We aim to organize an interactive session that will be accessible for both in person and online attendants. All presented material will be available online and we will also allow online participants to ask questions and interact with speakers if time and technology allows.