Global Policy UN Watch 15 | Digital Issues at the UN

The world according to algorithms: everywhere and (governance) nowhere?

Digital issues populate multiple UN policy processes, programmes and agencies. See GPF’s compilation of stand-alone briefings, memos and links illustrating this panorama through the lens of policy dynamics, mainly at UN headquarters over the last 12-15 months.

While not comprehensive, this compilation serves also to provide some examples and types of engagement relevant during the UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting on the overall review of the implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20) happening this week in New York City (16 – 17 December).

Click on the links to read the briefing on GlobalPolicyForum.net.

Heard at 80th UN General Assembly High-Level Week 2025

In September 2025 at the UN General Assembly High-level Week, digital issues, challenges and opportunities were highlighted by many Heads of State or Government. Some of the themes their concerns touched on include: harnessing digital technologies and AI for development; impacts of digital technologies on peace and security; safe, human rights-centred use of digital technologies.

UNGA80 Third Committee – Digital and AI in Human

A series of three briefings cover the recent inter-governmental and UN independent expert analyses of human rights and digital justice. It provides insights into the dynamics of closed negotiations, the divergent and potentially conflicting priorities and the trade-offs in reaching consensus.

UNGA80 Third Committee – Digital and AI in human rights: Statements from C3 interactions between UN Special Rapporteurs and independent experts and Member States
UNGA80 Third Committee vote on draft resolution “Promotion and protection of human rights in the context of digital technologies”: Explanations of vote from Member States
Cultural Rights and AI at 12th Expert Mechanism on Right to Development (EMRTD) (Geneva, October 2025): focusing on the risks and opportunities of AI in creative fields and potential impact on cultural rights and the right to development

Developments following the Global Digital Compact (GDC)

A primary outcome of the Global Digital Compact is the establishment of the Office of Digital and Emerging Technologies (ODET) “building on and incorporating the activities and resources of the existing Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology” following a process that worked its way through budget and programme proposals. This briefing delves into mandate of the office as laid out in the UN budget.

Additional insights of UN System engagements can be gleaned from the report on “strategic initiatives focused on operational efficiency and digital transformation” by the UN Chief Executives Board for Coordination (CEB) Digital and Technology Network (DTN), the inter-agency mechanism to promote cooperation and collaboration on digital and technology related matters. It identifies the full range of UN agencies involved as well as close collaboration with external partners – Deloitte, Mastercard, Google and Gartner Digital Markets.