Remarks by the Prime Minister at the Interactive dialogue on a common digital future

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Mr. President,

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, colleagues,

We have to deal with the world as it is and I believe we can agree that access to digital technologies is a means to securing opportunities for all.

We know that digital cooperation is absolutely key to ensure that all individuals, businesses and civil society benefit from progress.

Among such challenges are climate change, global health crises and much more. Digital public goods are essential tools in tackling these and other risks, but they are linked, and we know, Mr. President, that digital services consume a lot of electricity. I’ve just come from a meeting where we were addressing the fact that 600 million people in Africa do not have access to electricity. So, I would just like to call the attention to the initiative by the World Bank and the African Development Bank providing 300 million people in Africa with electricity by the end of this decade.

Norway promotes and provides financing for digital public goods in sectors such as climate and weather forecasting, agriculture, and health systems.

We also support digital public goods that help countries build essential platforms across all sectors, including digital identity and civil registration systems. And I am happy to see that this technology can spread to all continents.

They are critical for financial inclusion and economic empowerment, particularly of women and other groups that risk exclusion. Building safe, trusted, and inclusive digital infrastructure for all is absolutely central to leaving no one behind.

And then, being here at the UN, Mr. President,

Multistakeholder collaboration and partnerships are essential for us to succeed.

The Digital Public Goods Alliance is a great example. With more than 40 members from countries, UN institutions, civil society, and the private sector, this Alliance facilitates the discovery and deployment of open-source technology, with the aim to accelerate progress towards the SDGs.  

I believe it is inspiring – a learning experience – to see that a digital public goods developed in Sierra Leone to pay health workers during the Ebola crisis, is now being used in the Philippines. Closer to my home, I noted that COVID tracking tool first developed in Sri Lanka proved useful for Norwegian municipalities in my country. So, this is really a learning experience.   

Dear friends,

We must remember that all human rights fully apply in the digital space. There is no exception – but this is being challenged.

Digital technologies should be designed to minimize the risk of violating rights and doing harm, in particularly to minors and children. They must be safe to use and meet the needs of all users.

Transparency and user involvement in technology development and implementation can help achieve these aims. 

It is more important than ever that we come together, co-create and share the best solutions. Norway is doing its part. We look forward to putting The Global Digital Compact into action.

Thank you.