Global challenges require global cooperation. We're active in the forums that drive progress.

Global policy forums and multilateral collaborations are critical levers for driving meaningful progress on urgent development challenges. As a trusted voice in the digital development policy ecosystem, we play a key role in helping shape agendas that ensure data and technology are harnessed in service of public good. Our engagement in these high-level dialogues allows up to champion inclusive, people-centered, and sustainable approaches to digital development – embedding these principles at the heart of global decision-making. 

Here are some examples of our recent and current engagements. 

Over the past three years, we’ve played a role in shaping the G20 agenda, advancing digital public infrastructure (DPI) as a means of social and economic development. India’s G20 Presidency in 2023 resulted in the first-ever multilateral consensus on DPI and its outcomes. We are proud to have contributed to this landmark moment through our support to the Secretariat, the Digital Economy Working Group, and the Development Working Group. Fast-forward to now, with South Africa at the helm of the G20, we are pushing the global DPI agenda forward, with the publication of the DPI Roadmap Playbook. Developed in collaboration with a consortium of partners, the Playbook is a step-by-step guide for countries looking to implement DPI. 

With digital technologies intersecting every aspect of society, it is increasingly important to explore how technology can lessen its own footprint and contribute to a healthier planet. As the leading conference for climate action, the annual COP forum brings together experts exploring these questions. At COP28, we announced our commitment to convene a network of experts to explore ways we can unlock data for climate action. The resulting Climate Data JLN is a headline initiative under the Green Digital Action track of the conference. At COP29, we published our flagship research report identifying the top challenges and recommendations to unlock data for climate action: Beyond the tipping point: How climate data can decide our future. At COP30, we look forward to publishing our findings from this year’s work, focused on the data needs of local governments on the frontlines of the climate fight.  

Stewarded by the United Nations, the DPI Safeguards initiative is a multi-stakeholder effort towards ensuring a safe and inclusive digital society. Among the stakeholders engaging in open dialogue and contributing feedback, our CEO Priya Vora served as the Chair of the Governance Working Group. This collaborative effort resulted in the creation of the DPI Safeguards Framework, an important step forward towards a common understanding of risks, necessary safeguards, and mitigation strategies for DPI implementation. Following DIAL leadership of the working group in 2024, we worked with the UN’s Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies to support phase two — creating actionable guidance to support Safeguards implementation. As a first step, this included recognizing the Principles for Digital Development as a key resource in the design and implementation of digital policies and as a critical first step in ensuring digital systems serve the interests of all people. 

As part of the Global Digital Compact framework for international cooperation on AI governance, the UN CSTD Working Group on Data Governance aims to guide global data governance policies. Through the multistakeholder dialogue, the group will share recommendations towards equitable and interoperable data governance arrangements for national, regional, and international data sharing in support of the Sustainable Development Goals. The group will share its first progress report before the 86th session of the UN General Assembly. 

As a member of the DPGA, a signatory of the Hamburg Declaration of Responsible AI for the SDGs, a content partner at the inaugural DPI Summit, and an official observer for the Digital Cooperation Organization, we bring our unique perspective to the global forums and multilateral efforts shaping the future of digital development. 

Part of the value of these gatherings is connecting with the wide range of stakeholders from across the digital development ecosystem. Visit our Events page for a curated list of upcoming events – and we hope to see you on the road.