The Summit for the Future in 2024: Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow

The Global Digital Compact: An open, free, and secure digital future for all

The whole world is now going through digital transformation. In this fourth industrial revolution i.e. information technology revolution, we need to ensure that Bangladesh will be safe with the rest of the world. A national consultation regarding the Global Digital Compact and Summit of the Future was held to take specific views and advice on what measures should be taken to ensure safety. Under the initiative of BIGF and BNNRC in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UNDP, Bangladesh at a hotel in the capital titled ‘Global Digital Compact: An Open, Free, and Secure Digital Future for All’ and ‘Summit of the Future 2024: Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow’.

More than a hundred representatives from government, civil and youth society, academics, media, technical society, and private sector participated in the consultation meeting. In the speech of the chief guest, Foreign Secretary (Senior Secretary) Masood Bin Momen said that the government is giving utmost importance to the Global Digital Compact.

Bangladesh wants a global digital system without discrimination. Besides, he also said that there is an opportunity to control the digital system in the light of his work, culture, history, and life system to be done to protect the rights of his country. Hasanul Haque Inu, chairman of the advisory board, former minister and MP and chairperson of Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum (BIGF), said that the whole world is going through the tremors of climate change and digital transformation.

Bangladesh also has to adapt to it. For this reason, he urged to ensure easy availability and access to technology. He said digital transformation needs to be properly managed to secure it, which requires a framework. It is necessary to determine what are the problems, possibilities and challenges of Bangladesh in creating that structure and coming inside the structure.

Anir Chowdhury, Policy Adviser of a2i, ICT Division, who delivered the keynote speech in the concluding session, said that there is no alternative to a dirt divide or non-discriminatory digital system, which requires a lot of investment.

At the request of UN member states, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has outlined a vision of where he wants to see the world in the next 25 years through the report ‘Our Common Agenda’ through the establishment of global cooperation and effective multilateral relations. He released this report in September 2021 with 12 agenda items. For this purpose, the ‘Summit of the Future 2024’ is going to be held at the United Nations headquarters in New York on September 22-23. The aim of this summit is twofold. One, to strengthen efforts to fulfill existing international commitments; Two, to take specific steps to meet future challenges and exploit opportunities. One of the 12 agendas is the ‘Global Digital Compact’. For the first time, this Global Digital Compact is going to be passed through the Summit of the Future to create an open, free and safe digital future for all.

Since 2022, Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum (BIGF) and Bangladesh NGO’s Network for Radio and Communication have been working with stakeholders to highlight the common and specific position of Bangladesh on the ‘Global Digital Compact’ and ‘Summit of the Future 2024’. BNNRC). An Open, free and Secure Digital Future for all Following the request of UN member states, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has presented a vision of where he wants to see the world in the next 25 years through the report ‘Our Common Agenda’ through the establishment of global cooperation and effective multilateral relations.

Professor Shameem Reza of the Mass Communication and Journalism Department of Dhaka University moderated the first session. Prof. Samia A. Selim of the University of Liberal Arts, Bangladesh presented the keynote address in the first session. The head of the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office in Bangladesh, Louis Barber, and the Chief Executive Officer of Bangladesh NGO’s Network for Radio and Communication-BNNRC, AHM Bazlur Rahman, were the speakers. The topics discussed in this session were the UN Secretary General’s ‘Our Common Agenda’ and ‘Global Digital Compact’. BIGF Secretary General Abdul Haque Anu gave a welcome speech on the occasion.

In the second session, what role Bangladesh can play in ‘Our Common Agenda’ and how this agenda will play a role in the development of Bangladesh, especially in the implementation process of Smart Bangladesh? The topic of the second session was ‘Summit of the Future 2024’. Tahreen Tahrima Chowdhury, a Research Fellow of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies-BIDS presented the keynote speech.

Mr. AHM Bazlur Rahman, CEO of BNNRC and Director General of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) Brigadier General Khalil-ur-Rahman took part in the discussion. The second session was moderated by Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul, Editor-in-Chief and Chief Executive Officer of TV Today. Regarding the Future of the Summit, what will be Bangladesh’s preparation, role, and action plan, the negotiator’s statement comes up.

The topic of the second session was ‘Summit of the Future 2024’. Tahreen Tahrima Chowdhury, a research fellow of Bangladesh Development Research Institute-BIDS presented the keynote speech. Mr. AHM Bazlur Rahman and Director General of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) Brigadier General Khalil-ur-Rahman as discussants. The second session was moderated by Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul, Editor-in-Chief and Chief Executive Officer of TV Today. Regarding the Future of the Summit, what will be Bangladesh’s preparation, role, and action plan, the negotiator’s statement comes up.

In the concluding session, the chief guest of the program, Foreign Secretary (Senior Secretary) Masood Bin Momen, special guest, Director General of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), Brigadier General Khalil-ur-Rahman and the guest of honor, UNDP Bangladesh Resident Representative, Stephen Liler, participated in the discussion.

Stephen said the gathering is a testament to our collective journey and efforts towards sustainable development goals. This reflects our highest aspirations. The summit of the Future to be held in September 2024 as we heard from different panelists and speakers today, emerges from our common agenda as a response to the pressing needs for the new thrust and solidarity across all levels of society calling for a fundamental rethink of our systems to ensure fairness and effectiveness. The summit is once in our lifetime and once in a generation to enhance cooperation on critical challenges and address gaps in global governance.

We are firm in existing commitments including the Sustainable Development Goals and the United Nations Charter and move towards reinvigorating a multilateral system that is better positioned to positively impact people’s lives. SDG report shows that Bangladesh is a good performer of progress on SDG indicators.

The summit of the future also shapes a digital compact where a compact efficient and open secured a futuristic digital stage leveraging its transformative potential to accelerate SDGs attainment.

Today as we find ourselves in an era defined by digitization technology it is great to note Bangladesh-driven technology in South Asia champions digital Bangladesh and now transitioning to Smart Bangladesh. This vision aligns with global compact goals and hints at creating a smart society, governments, economy and citizenry.

UNDP takes great tie in standing on the side of the government champing a host of cutting-age agendas. Through our professional technical expertise commitment to inclusivity and drive for innovation we have supported the government in harnessing digital technologies to optimize governance and service delivery. Our collaborative projects such as a2i exemplify our commitment to accelerating the digital governance charter mission throughout Bangladesh from bridging urban center to the rural hard lands.

Former Minister and Member of Parliament presided over this session; Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum Chairperson Hasanul Haque Inu. The topics discussed in this session were how Bangladesh will prepare for the Summit of the Future and the Global Digital Compact; How to coordinate between the governments of member countries, and how to ensure the acceptance of multilateral partners. Bangladesh Consultation on the Summit of the Future 2024 and the Chairperson of the Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum, Hasanul Haque Inu.