There is something intriguing about the latest report from UN Secretary General, Antonio. As he steps into the spotlight of the digital world, he outlines a grand plan to revamp the way we interact and conduct our lives. His report details an ambitious initiative named the Global Digital Compact. However, the most striking detail is not the plan itself but rather the pronoun Antonio uses when encouraging stakeholders to take action. He doesn’t say “we,” but “I.” This usage of the first person singular, a rarity in organizational reports, has led some to question the size of Antonio’s ego. But is it merely an ego at play, or is it a reflection of his confidence in the plan he has meticulously crafted?
The Global Digital Compact and its Implementation
Antonio, in his report, articulates a clear Implementation Plan for the Global Digital Compact. Different stakeholders are designated with unique responsibilities – a seemingly obvious yet crucial step in the plan. He proceeds to list a series of United Nations (UN) entities that will play a role in this digital revolution. However, he insists that these existing UN entities are not enough to carry out the task at hand. His solution? An annual Digital Corporation Forum, a new entity to be established once the world’s governments agree to the Global Digital Compact at the Summit of the Future in 2024.
One can’t help but laugh at Antonio’s audacity, as he doesn’t seek feedback about his idea. He simply announces his plans to go ahead and start planning the agenda for this new Forum. The audacity is palpable and borders on hilarity. Members of The Forum already have their assignments – to produce an annual report on digitization for the UN.
A Look Back and a Look Forward
Antonio concludes his report by reflecting on the past and anticipating the future. He recalls how the UN began its digitization initiative four years ago and how he released an initial roadmap for it two years ago. The timeline, however, does not end with the event in 2024; it culminates with the World Summit on the Information Society review in 2025. Antonio urges that the time for talking about the need for digital cooperation has long passed and that action needs to be taken with urgency to leverage digital technologies for equitable and sustainable development.
The UN, Digitization, and ‘States’
Antonio interestingly refers to countries as ‘States’ and reveals that the UN is already in active discussions about digitization with these States. This term ‘States,’ presumably referring to a global government structure the UN is aiming to create, could be a hint at the scale of ambitions within the UN and Antonio’s vision.
The Big Question: Can We Stop the Global Digital Compact?
This brings us to the crucial question – how can we halt this Global Digital Compact? The question is tricky because the initiative hasn’t even started. The answer could range from letting history run its course to trying to convince public institutions to steer clear of it. History is replete
with countless UN initiatives that never materialized, demonstrating the complexity of coordinating hundreds of institutions and thousands of individuals. In our increasingly fragmented world, Antonio’s frustration is understandable as the Global South is gradually isolating itself from the Global North. Moreover, rising domestic political tensions and waning popularity of UN-affiliated ideologies make achieving widespread consensus a Herculean task.
Yet, the problem isn’t merely a lack of consensus. The fact that some of the UN’s initiatives may disadvantage the average person amplifies the difficulty. It allows for comparison of outcomes and highlights the effects of the UN’s actions. If a financial crisis were to occur, it’s almost certain that neither the UN’s Global Digital Compact nor the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) would achieve much. In fact, the 2008 financial crisis halted the SDGs in their tracks, and they were only eight years into a 15-year journey. A repeat of history would indeed be ominous.
Facing the UN’s Digital Initiatives: A Challenge and an Opportunity
Let’s, however, entertain the idea that the UN somehow manages to align its ducks in a row. In this scenario, convincing public institutions to stray from the UN’s digitization agenda would be exceedingly difficult. The UN could pressure them to comply using other public and private institutions. Moreover, some of the UN’s digital initiatives such as Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) may initially seem appealing to the average person, leading to voluntary adoption. It’s only later that people might realize they’ve inadvertently walked into digital subjugation.
The solution then could be the creation or support of an alternative system. Coincidentally, it is exactly what the UN fears the most: a system built on rapidly evolving technologies such as artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency. The UN’s apprehension towards these technologies is proof that they could be part of the solution. However, if the UN has its way, they could also become part of the problem.
Thankfully, technology advances much faster than the United Nations and lacks the hubris of the UN’s head honcho. This rapid pace and humility make it unlikely for the UN to catch up. We can only hope this does not result in a different kind of digital dystopia.
In the Land of Free Minds and Free Markets
As we stand on the precipice of this digital revolution, it’s crucial for us to remember the spirit of freedom that fuels innovation and progress. We don’t need a global entity dictating the course of our digital future. Instead, we need the collective intelligence and creativity of free minds working in free markets to guide us. This spirit is what will drive us towards a digital future that enhances, not restricts, our freedoms.
Sources:
- UN Secretary General’s report on Global Digital Compact.
- UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- History of financial crises and their impact on global initiatives.
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