79th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 79)
Session reports
Day-by-day coverage of AI and digital issues
Welcome to our daily coverage of the General Debate of the 79th UN General Assembly (UNGA). This summary was generated by humans and provides a comprehensive overview of how digital issues were tackled during first day’s discussions, which took place on 24 September 2024.
Digital on Day 1 of UNGA79: UN debates AI’s role amid urgent calls for responsible digital governance
Digital on Day 2 of UNGA79: Spotlight on digital governance and development challenges
On Day 2 of the UN General Assembly, discussions remained focused on the pressing issues of digital global governance and the implications of digital technologies. However, AI received notably less attention than on the previous day. As in the previous day, discussions were predominantly centred on development, with digital technologies highlighted as crucial drivers for achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs). However, concerns about foreign interference and disinformation threatening democracy were echoed by several nations, alongside discussions on the transformative potential of technology in governance and the risks of misuse in the digital age.
Global digital governance: The need for digital cooperation
The recently adopted Global Digital Compact (GDC) received scant attention on Day 2:Only France, Mongolia and Congo made reference to the compact.
France welcomed the work done and coordinated by the Secretary-General and the GDC. Mongolia acknowledged the rapid evolution of global interdependence due to technological progress and digital advancements. and highlighted the GDC as a crucial and timely initiative. Congo deemed it an essential pillar for a prosperous future, emphasising its central role in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, where digital technologies are now indispensable.
Bulgaria emphasises the necessity for effective digital governance systems that adopt a multistakeholder and inclusive approach, aiming for a human-centric digital transformation and a safe and open digital future. Zimbabwe called for the establishment of a global digital governance framework to mitigate the adverse effects of transformative technologies while maximising their benefits.
Slovakia advocates for increased attention to the technological and digital dimensions of life within UN discussions, arguing that these aspects are now as vital as physical identities. Slovakia proposed that regional actors should take charge of regulation, while the UN should leverage new technologies to level differences and promote gender equality. Zimbabwe expressed its commitment to actively participate in international discussions and negotiations aimed at fostering global cooperation.
Development: Digital tech as catalyst for SDGs
Development emerged once again as the most prominent digital issue on national agendas, with digital technologies serving as key catalysts for achieving the SDGs. Mongolia noted its alignment with the SDGs through initiatives like ‘Billion Trees’ and ‘Digital Mongolia,’ while Ghana highlighted how digitalisation significantly improved citizens’ lives and laid the groundwork for sustainable economic growth.
Romania emphasised that the digital transition offers a unique opportunity to meet the SDGs by 2030, particularly for least developed countries, but stressed that global reforms and adequate financing are essential to bridge the digital gap. Similarly, Finland warned that without tangible results to address climate challenges and the dual nature of technology, the world risks straying from the SDGs.
The digital divide remains a critical challenge. Small nations like Suriname stressed the need for support in digital transformation, highlighting financial inclusion, access to education, and government services. Slovakia called for a more equitable distribution of technological advancements to promote social progress and gender equality. Togo reported its commitment to inclusive development by addressing the digital divide, ensuring that all populations can benefit from technological innovations. Bolivia underscored the necessity of equitable global governance in technology deployment to ensure advancements serve the well-being of all and do not exacerbate existing inequalities.
Financial inclusion is vital for supporting digitalisation and fostering economic resilience. Uzbekistan noted that achieving the SDGs requires attracting investments and advanced technologies, advocating for access to technology as a fundamental right. The call for increased financial resources resonated across nations, emphasising that without adequate funding, the benefits of digitalisation cannot be fully realised.
Sociocultural: Defending societies and transforming public services
New technologies change the ways we interact, Bolivia noted. However, as Czechia warned, foreign interference and disinformation continue to present a challenge with a serious impact on democracy, security and the rules-based international order. Romania echoed these concerns, identifying disinformation, policy misuse and other hybrid tools as central challenges to national security,
Czechia also stressed that global tech companies must play an active role in defending democratic resilience.
As Romania stressed, in the digital transition, technology is a global amplifier of trends and can contribute to more effective and accessible public services. Ghana noted that it has embraced the Fourth Industrial Revolution in full, revolutionising public service delivery by integrating technology into governance. The country highlighted two national examples: the introduction of the Ghana Card, which has streamlined identification and access to services, and the digitisation of the country’s land registry.
Zimbabwe also acknowledged the transformative power of ICT but warned against its misuse to commit crimes and destabilise societies.
AI: Supporting global coordination
Mongolia and Uzbekistan emphasised challenges from the uncontrolled use of AI and supported UN resolutions promoting safe AI use for sustainable development and stronger international cooperation. France stressed the urgency of coordinating global efforts on AI, aiming to foster innovation while ensuring it benefits all nations and does not exacerbate inequality. The development of AI should occur within a robust ethical and democratic framework, crafted by the global community rather than being dictated by a small number of private entities at the forefront of technological advancements, the country stressed. France also highlighted plans to host an AI Action Summit in February 2025 to advance this vision.
Cybersecurity: Collective efforts urged
Mongolia noted that non-traditional threats such as cybercrime gained increasing attention in the early years of the 21st century. Czechia also highlighted the escalating severity of cyber threats, emphasising that attacks on hospitals, media, and national infrastructure endanger democratic systems globally.
Mongolia urged nations to strengthen collective efforts to combat cybercrime, while Cyprus noted that collective action is needed to address the changing nature of conflicts, including challenges from new technologies. Czechia advocated for adhering to an international framework of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace and committed to strengthening cyber resilience. Czechia pledged continued support for partners in Africa, Asia, and South America to bolster collective cybersecurity efforts and protect citizens worldwide.
Human rights: Countering hate speech
The impact of emerging technologies on human rights and the use of social media to spread hate speech and incite terrorism were some of the issues addressed by the delegations.
Czechia emphasised the need to protect human rights amid the rapid development of emerging technologies, such as AI, autonomous systems, biotech, and quantum computing. Czechia stressed that these innovations must align with ethical and human rights standards. It also highlighted a resolution, co-submitted with Mexico, the Maldives, the Netherlands, and South Africa on human rights in the context of digital technologies.
Venezuela condemned the use of hate speech, especially through social media, to incite terrorism and fabricate psychological wars aimed at exploiting feelings of hatred and destruction.
Infrastructure: Developing African connectivity
Issues around connectivity were the least represented in yesterday’s discussions on digital. That said, the Democratic Republic of the Congo highlighted its goal to attract investment for developing African connectivity. The country called for multilateral cooperation and knowledge transfer, emphasising that grid development and the Grant Inga hydroelectric project are vital for linking regions and meeting rising energy demands from connected devices.
Background for UNGA 79
The 79th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 79) opened on Tuesday, 5 September 2023. The general debate of the 79th session of the General Assembly opened on Tuesday, 24 September, continuing through Saturday, 28 September, and concluding on Monday, 30 September 2024.
The general debate of the UN General Assembly is the opportunity for heads of state and government and ministers to come together at the UN Headquarters and discuss world issues. The theme of this year’s general debate will be ‘Leaving no one behind: acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations’. Heads of state and government and ministers will explore solutions to intertwined global challenges to advance peace, security, and sustainable development.
The highly anticipated Summit of the Future was also held during UNGA on 22-23 September 2024, preceded by Action Days on 20-21 September.
All times are in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
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