The Dynamic Coalition on Emerging Technologies operating within the UN IGF is a multi-stakeholder initiative dedicated to shaping the future of innovation through responsible, ethical, effective, and globally aligned principles.
As emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, biometrics, blockchain, digital twins, Internet of Things (IoT), quantum computing, wearables, and beyond redefine the landscape of society, we recognize the urgent need for proactive guidance. Our mission is to develop, share, apply, and assess frameworks, models, best practices, and standards for governance, risk management, and compliance (GRC), that will help the IGF multi-stakeholders’ community navigate the complexities of these transformative technologies. By bringing together experts from diverse fields, we aim to create practical, forward-thinking strategies that balance innovation with responsible, ethical, and secure implementation. We identify potential risks, develop ethical guidelines, identify mitigating controls, assess their effectiveness, and ensure compliance while fostering an environment that encourages technological advancement.
Our mission is to enable governments, organizations, and industries to adopt emerging technologies responsibly, ensuring that innovation is ethical, secure, inclusive, and aligned with the United Nations Charter, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UN Secretary-General Strategy on New Technologies, Pact for the Future, and Global Digital Compact. Accordingly, particular attention is placed on the impact of emerging technologies on underserved or disadvantaged groups. We recognize that adult populations, retirees, children, people with disabilities, indigenous populations, and other marginalized communities often face unique challenges in accessing and benefiting from technological advancements. Our focus is on developing effective strategies and recommendations that are inclusive and address the specific needs of underserved or disadvantaged groups, ensuring that emerging technologies serve as tools for empowerment rather than sources of further marginalization. By prioritizing the perspectives and experiences of disadvantaged populations, we aim to promote equitable access, digital literacy, and meaningful participation in the evolving technological landscape
We invite everyone who is passionate about shaping the future of technology governance to join us in this critical endeavor. Together, we'll pave the way for a more secure, ethical, and innovative technological future.
Plan of Action
Key Focus Areas:
- Establishing governance models, principles, and best practices for emerging technologies.
- Developing risk models and compliance criteria tailored to specific use cases.
- Creating globally recognized assessment & certification systems to drive trust and accountability.
- Supporting multi-stakeholder collaboration to ensure broad inclusivity and impact.
Vision
We envision a world where emerging technologies are seamlessly integrated into society, advancing sustainability, equity, and innovation while minimizing risks and unintended consequences. Through collaboration and shared expertise, we aim to set global benchmarks for ethical and responsible innovation.
Cross-Cutting Themes:
- Digital Transformation: Acknowledging the dramatic and rapid transformation occurring due to digital technologies, and the immense potential and risks that accompany these technologies.
- Inclusion and Equity: Ensuring that the benefits of digital technologies are accessible to everyone, particularly addressing digital divides between and within countries, including underrepresented groups and ensuring equal access.
- Multi-stakeholder Cooperation: Supporting effective digital governance and implementation of digital strategies in collaboration with, and partnerships among various stakeholders, including governments, the private sector, civil society, the technical community, and academia.
- Human Rights: Committing to respecting, protecting, and promoting human rights in the digital space, ensuring that digital technologies do not infringe on fundamental freedoms.
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Supporting the use of digital technologies and strategies to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs.
- International Cooperation: Strengthening international cooperation to address the challenges and opportunities presented by digital technologies.
- Capacity Building: Enhancing digital literacy, skills, and capacities, particularly for disadvantaged groups and developing countries.
Principles:
- Protect and Promote Global Values: Support digital efforts aligned with the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the SDGs, emphasizing values such as equality and equity.
• Foster Inclusion and Transparency: Develop platforms for collective choices about new technologies, ensuring openness, transparency, and the inclusion of diverse voices.
• Partnership: Work in partnerships with governments, industries, academia, and civil society for increasing knowledge, testing ideas, and expanding dialogue.
• Build on Existing Capabilities and Mandates: Engaging with entities already working on existing mandates, projects, and initiatives.
• Continuous Learning: Incentivizing an innovative culture for continuous learning and development.
• Development-Oriented: Supporting the Global Digital Compact, which is development-oriented and rooted in the 2030 Agenda, harnessing technologies to fast-track progress, eradicate poverty, and leave no one behind.
• Multi-stakeholder: Cooperating with a multi-stakeholder approach, harnessing the contributions of all.
• Accessible and Affordable: Promoting digital accessibility and cultural diversity.
• Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy: Committing to the safe, secure, and trustworthy development and implementation of technologies.
• Forward-looking and adaptable: Adopting a forward-looking approach, capable of adapting to emerging technologies.
Goals:
• Close Digital Divides: Bridge the digital gap by connecting all people to the internet and improving the quality and affordability of connectivity.
• Expand Inclusion in the Digital Economy: Ensure that everyone can benefit from the digital economy and that digital access encompasses knowledge, research, and capacity.
• Foster a Safe and Secure Digital Space: Create an inclusive, open, safe, and secure digital space that respects, protects, and promotes human rights.
• Advance Responsible Data Governance: Implement equitable and interoperable data governance approaches that prioritize data privacy and security.
• Enhance Governance of Emerging Tech: Promote responsible, equitable, and international governance of emerging technologies for the benefit of humanity.
• Accelerate SDG Achievement: Utilize digital technologies to speed up the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Promote Dialogue and Cooperation: Facilitate conversations and partnerships to advance normative frameworks, address challenges, and ensure that technological advancements align with shared values.
• Support UN-IGF Multi-stakeholder Community: Increase support to the UN-IGF Multi-stakeholder community in developing capacity, accessing information, and implementing digital strategies.
Activities
- Standards Development: Crafting globally recognized frameworks for governance, risk, and compliance.
- Assessment/Certification Systems: Delivering transparent, credible assessment/certification programs to ensure organizations meet rigorous standards.
- Capacity Building: Offering training, workshops, and resources to enable stakeholders to navigate complex technological landscapes.
- Partnerships and Advocacy: Collaborating with governments and policymakers, NGOs, academia and research institutions, technical community, civil society, and enterprises to foster responsible adoption of emerging technologies.
Stakeholders
Academia
- Dr. Mahzabeen Emu, Lakehead University, Canada
- Prof. Luigi Vincenzo Mancini, Department of Cybersecurity, University “Sapienza”, Italy
- Prof. De Varun Suthra, Director International Relations, Institute of Social Science and Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, India
Governments
- Vikram Devdas, Director of Medical Technology, Providence Healthcare Ventures, Canada
- Nik Gugger, Member of Parliament, Switzerland
- Chief Jennifer Thomas, Tsleil-Waututh Nation, Indigenous Nations of Canada
Intergovernmental Organizations
- Dino Cataldo Dell’Accio, Chief Information Officer, United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund
Non-Government-Organizations
- Tamara Guddard, Future of Indigenous Economics
- May Siksik – Chair of the Innovation Network Global
Private Sector
- Mohammed Alyami, GO, Saudi Arabia
- Tony Chahine, D. Sc., Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Myant, Canada
- Victor Phikparobo Idonor, Founder of “Upgraded Era”, Nigeria
- Robert Scott, “Ocean Medical”, Canada
Mailing List
Join us in shaping the future of innovation governance. Whether you're a policymaker, technologist, or advocate for responsible innovation, we welcome your expertise and collaboration. Together, we can create a sustainable, inclusive, and secure technological ecosystem.
Join our Google Group by sending a request to:
[email protected]
Documents & Reports
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Contacts
Please contact us at [email protected]
Co-lead: Dino C. Dell’Accio - [email protected]
Co-lead: May Siksik - [email protected]