Bangladesh Initiative for Connecting, Empowering & Amplifying Unified Voices on Global Digital Compact

1.1 Background

In September 2020, on the commemoration of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United Nations, member states adopted a political declaration, Guided by the Charter, on how they are going to ensure the future they want and the United Nations they need. Consequently, in September 2021 the UN Secretary-General published his report entitled “Our Common Agenda,” which proposes a Global Digital Compact (hereinafter ‘GDC’) that seeks to “outline shared principles for an open, free and secure digital future for all.” The proposed Global Digital Compact is set to be agreed upon at the Summit of the Future in September 2024.

It is against this background that the Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication and Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum would like to organise consultations and roundtable on the Global Digital Compact aimed to provide a forum to discuss how the future GDC can facilitate the use of digital technologies for the realisation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and enhance digital access for societies across the country and provide an opportunity for various stakeholders to input into the GDC.

The consultations further aimed to enable discussions about how risks and challenges associated with new technologies can be addressed by anchoring principles for responsible use inside the GDC.

1.2  About Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC):

 BNNRC is in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and accredited with World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), SDGs Media Compact of the United Nations and UN WSIS prize winner 2016, Champion 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021 & 2022 for media development and ICT4D. https://www.bnnrc.net

BNNRC has been accredited by the UN Open-ended working group (OEWG) on security of and in the use of information and communications technologies of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) 2001-2025.

BNNRC is registered with the NGO Affairs Bureau, Office of the Prime Minister’s, Government of Bangladesh according to the foreign donation regulation as an organization on Information, Communication and Technology for Development (ICT4D).

BNNRC’s endeavour is to media development, security of and in the use of information and communications technologies and Build confidence and security in the use of ICTs both knowledge-driven and ongoing issues of media, keeping in view the challenges and opportunities of the rapidly changing reality of media since 2000.

BNNRC’s intervention is to increase knowledge and awareness of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and regularly inform policymakers and stakeholders about the rapidity and liveliness of the multifaceted impacts of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

1.3 About Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum (BIGF):

Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum (BIGF) is a multi-stakeholder organization aimed to illuminate issues and create ideas on internet usage in Bangladesh in association with the UN Internet Governance Forum (UN IGF). since 2006.

This domestic independent forum has engaged civil society, organizations, government, corporate sectors, technical sectors, media and academia to create partnerships, coalitions and dialogues that demonstrate best practices and help us to move the policy forward. https://www.bangladeshigf.org

1.4 BNNRC experiences in UN Process:  2000 – 2023   

For over two decades, BNNRC is promoting UN WSIS action line and UN IGF localization process in Bangladesh. BNNRC strengthens the impact and collective voice of the multi-stakeholder and leads its engagement on a wide range of policy and programs with the highest levels of the U.N., governments, media, academia, and civil society actors about ICT4D.

BNNRC’s intervention has been successfully aligned with the UN World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) process since 2000. Recognizing the importance of the BNNRC intervention, BNNRC was recognized by the UN World Summit on the Information Society for the 7^th time as a winner and champion.

The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), held in two phases in Geneva in 2003 and Tunis in 2005, set out a clear vision to harness the vast potential of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to achieve the development aspirations of all the world’s inhabitants. Recognizing the importance of ICT as a valuable asset for economic growth, world leaders expressed their strong political commitment to building an inclusive, people-centred and development-oriented information society.

With the numerous advocacy-related efforts of BNNRC, the Bangladesh Government formed the Bangladesh Working Group on UN WSIS in 2002. From the BNNRC, AHM Bazlur Rahman, Chief Executive Officer played a co-founder role of the Bangladesh Working Group on UN WSIS, Mr. Reza Salim of BFES was the secretary of the Bangladesh Working Group on UN WSIS and Syed Margub Morshed, former Secretary and Chairman of BTRC played the convenor of the Bangladesh Working Group on UN WSIS. The government of Bangladesh declared and notified the Bangladesh Working Group on UN WSIS through Bangladesh Extraordinary Gazette on 02 October 2002.

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has hosted the Bangladesh Working Group on the UN WSIS secretariat and provided technical cooperation. The Bangladesh Working Group on WSIS has served as a platform for governments, UN bodies, international organizations, media, business companies, technical communities, and other stakeholders to address issues related to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), particularly, focusing on turning the digital divide into a digital opportunity for all in Bangladesh.

Since Geneva in 2003 and Tunis in the 2005 summit, governments and stakeholders have undertaken many initiatives and consultations to bridge the digital divide in line with the UN WSIS agenda. The WSIS Plan of Action (C1-C11) calls for the effective participation of governments and all stakeholders in developing the information society within a partnership framework.

According to the WSIS Plan of Action, BNNRC has created examples and demonstrated, taking initiatives and projects undertaken to meet the indicative targets set out in the Plan of Action. The Summit was an important landmark in Bangladesh’s effort to eradicate poverty and achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

BNNRC has been chosen for the prizes on account of its high standard of a program, innovation, strong leadership, and exceptionally strong commitment towards building an inclusive, people-cantered and development-oriented information society in Bangladesh. BNNRC was involved in the WSIS process from the beginning and organized many consultations in Bangladesh and abroad. During WSIS, BNNRC was an active member of the CRIS – Communication Rights in the Information Society.

 

1.5 Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2006: UN Internet Governance Forum (IGF) as an outcome of the UN WSIS

UN Internet Governance Forum (IGF) as an outcome of WSIS.  Internet governance was one of the most controversial issues during the first phase of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS-I), held in Geneva in December 2003.

It was recognized that understanding Internet governance was essential in achieving the development goals of the Geneva Plan of Action but defining the term and understanding the roles and responsibilities of the different stakeholders involved proved to be difficult. WSIS-II requested the UN Secretary-General to convene an Internet Governance Forum, as a multilateral, multistakeholder, democratic and transparent platform for discussions on Internet governance issues.

According to the UN IGF mandate, BNNRC co-founds the Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum (BIGF) since 2006 in conjunction with the UN IGF. BIGF has been played as a multi-stakeholder national forum for Bangladesh aimed to illuminate issues and create ideas on internet usage. This domestic independent forum has engaged civil society, organizations, government, corporate sectors, technical sectors, media and academia to create partnerships, coalitions and dialogues that demonstrate best practices and help us to move the policy forward.

Bangladesh IGF successfully created platforms like

• Bangladesh Kids IGF
• Bangladesh Youth IGF
• Bangladesh Women IGF
• Bangladesh School of Internet Governance and
• Bangladesh Parliamentarians Caucus on Internet Governance, Digital Economy & Media Development (BPCIDM).

BIGF has successfully organized the three days Bangladesh Internet Governance Conferences since 2006 in Bangladesh. BNNRC has hosted the Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum Secretariat and provided technical cooperation to the BIGF Secretariat since 2006. In BNNRC terms, the BIGF Secretariat is an extra-budgetary project financed through voluntary contributions from the multistakeholder community in Bangladesh and abroad.

1.6 Impact of the BIGF in Bangladesh

As a national platform for discussions, the BIGF brings various stakeholder groups to the table as equals to exchange information and share good practices. Over the years, it has identified a wide range of issues to be addressed by the multi-stakeholder and has shaped decisions taken.

• Policy Advocacy with ICANN for Top Level Domain (TLD) in Bangla from 4th UN IGF, Sharm El Sheikh, in Egypt in 2009. As a result, now Bangladesh has to enjoy Dot Bangla Top Level Domain (TLD).
• Engage and involve concerned stakeholders including Government with ICANN Neo-Brahmi Generation Panel (NBGP) in Bangla. As a result, concerned stakeholders including the Government involved and negotiated for developing the Root Zone Label Generation Rules (LGR) in Bangla. Now Bangla language will be incorporated in Top Level Domain and Cyber Space.
• Strengthened capacities of multi-stakeholders to participate effectively in the internet Governance Process through the Bangladesh School of Internet Governance (bdSIG). The process started in 2017. As a result, 541 stakeholders participated in six batches and approximately 135 policy experts, resource persons, and policymakers attended and shared their knowledge.
• Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum emerged in 2006 as the first national IGF initiative for an organic and independent forum that discusses issues pertaining to internet governance in conjunction with UN Internet Governance Forum. As a result, around 2297 multi-stakeholders participated in a country-level forum about the IG process for 17 years from the perspective of their respective field while acting in accordance with the main principles of the global IGF.
• Bangladesh IGF delegates participate in UN IGF regularly and translate knowledge from regional and global IGF levels and incorporate global knowledge to national and regional levels through Bangladesh School on Internet Governance.

1.7 The BNNRC is aligned with ongoing UN processes, initiatives, & events:

• World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum
• Internet Governance Forum (IGF)
• Secretary-General’s High-level Panel for Digital Cooperation
• United Nations Secretary General’s roadmap for digital cooperation
• Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology
• United Nations Secretary-General report “Our Common Agenda”
• Partner2Connect Digital Coalition
• Consultations on the UN Global Digital Compact/ UN Summit for the Future 2024
• UN Open-ended Working Group on Security of and in the Use of Information and Communications Technologies, United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UN ODA)

1.8 Looking ahead: Strengthening the linkage with the UN Process in  Bangladesh

• Organising and national multi-stakeholder consultation on the UN Summit for the Future 2024 preparatory process. The UN Summit of the Future (SOTF), proposed for September 2024 in New York, is a critical milestone in the reform process initiated by the UN Secretary-General’s Our Common Agenda (OCA) report.
• Increase the visibility and knowledge of the Our Common Agenda reform, proposals and the preparations leading to the Summit of the Future among the various stakeholders in Bangladesh.
• Contribute to further identifying thematic elements of Our Common Agenda of priority importance for Bangladesh, Promote the development of the common positions about HLPF, SDGs 2nd Summit
• Identify opportunities opened by the “Our Common Agenda” intergovernmental tracks leading to the Summit of the Future to deliver on an ambitious set of outcomes that will reinforce and accelerate the achievement of the 2030 Agenda, Paris Climate Agreement, and other existing global agendas.
• Organising and national multi-stakeholder consultation on UN World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) 2025

1.9 Setting the context:

Digital technologies offer tremendous opportunities, including the potential to contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. At the same time, however, they also can pose harm to societies and the environment. The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has said that “Looking to the future, two seismic shifts will shape the 21st century: the climate crisis, and digital transformation.”

Just as how international cooperation is critical to protecting the health of the planet, we all share, international efforts are needed to pursue the benefits of digital technologies while mitigating their risks.

On the occasion of the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, over 1 million voices from around the world, from governments, civil society organizations, businesses, academics, technical experts, and individuals, including youth, shared their views on priorities that the United Nations and international community should consider in looking to the future. Following these consultations, United Nations Member States adopted a Declaration on the Commemoration of the Seventy-Fifth Anniversary of the United Nations (A/RES/75/1) which contains this pledge:

“We will improve digital cooperation. Digital technologies have profoundly transformed society. They offer unprecedented opportunities and new challenges. When improperly or maliciously used, they can fuel divisions within and between countries, increase insecurity, undermine human rights, and exacerbate inequality. Shaping a shared vision on digital cooperation and a digital future that show the full potential for beneficial technology usage, and addressing digital trust and security, must continue to be a priority as our world is now more than ever relying on digital tools for connectivity and social-economic prosperity. Digital technologies have a potential to accelerate the realization of the 2030 Agenda. We must ensure safe and affordable digital access for all. The United Nations can provide a platform for all stakeholders to participate in such deliberations.”

 In response to the Declaration, the Secretary-General Guterres’ report, Our Common Agenda, proposes a Summit of the Future, with a technology track leading to a Global Digital Compact:

 “Furthermore, building on the recommendations of the road map for digital cooperation (see A/74/821), the United Nations, Governments, the private sector and civil society could come together as a multi-stakeholder digital technology track in preparation for a Summit of the Future to agree on a Global Digital Compact. This would outline shared principles for an open, free and secure digital future for all. “Complex digital issues that could be addressed may include: reaffirming the fundamental commitment to connecting the unconnected; avoiding fragmentation of the Internet; providing people with options as to how their data is used; application of human rights online; and promoting a trustworthy Internet by introducing accountability criteria for discrimination and misleading content. “More broadly, the Compact could also promote regulation of artificial intelligence to ensure that this is aligned with shared global values.”

 On 27 October 2022, the President of the UN General Assembly appointed Rwanda and Sweden as Co-facilitators to lead the intergovernmental process on the Global Digital Compact.

The Cofacilitators shared the road map for the process on 16 January 2023. As part of the consultative process, the United Nations is interested in hearing from everyone everywhere – individuals, groups, associations, organizations, entities – on what they want to see in the Global Digital Compact. The consultation you are organizing or input you will provide is an opportunity to contribute to shaping the Global Digital Compact and share your views with the international community.

As we prepare the consultation or begin to draft Bangladesh input, consider the future of digital technologies and the continuing digital transformation.

• How can we best ensure an “open, free and secure digital future for all”?
• What shared principles should be included in the Global Digital Compact?
• Which issues should be addressed – those mentioned above in the Common Agenda report or others?
• What can and should the international community do to address them?

Accordingly, CSOs of Bangladesh need to organize a national multi-stakeholder consultation for  contributing to the preparation of a Bangladesh submission on the GDC with aiming for this open process of consultations are to identify common ground in terms of principles and proposed actions relating to the following seven thematic areas identified in Our Common Agenda and additional areas that stakeholders advocate for inclusion in the GDC:

1. Connect all people to the internet, including all schools
2. Avoid internet fragmentation
3. Protect data
4. Apply human rights online
5. Accountability for discrimination and misleading content
6. Regulation of artificial intelligence
7. Digital commons as a global public good
8. Other areas: this is the opportunity for stakeholders to propose additional thematic areas, issues, opportunities, and challenges for inclusion within the scope of the GDC which are not covered in Our Common Agenda.

Consistent with the Tech Envoy’s public survey, stakeholders are requested to prepare inputs under 1-8 above with reference to the following two specific aspects:

1. Core principles that all governments, companies, civil society organizations and other stakeholders should adhere to; and
2. Key commitments, pledges, or actions that should be taken by different stakeholders – governments, private sector, civil society, etc. – in order to realize the above-mentioned principles. It is important to be as specific and action-oriented as possible.

As part of the consultative process, the United Nations is interested in hearing from everyone everywhere – individuals, groups, associations, organizations, entities – on what they want to see in the Global Digital Compact. The consultation we are organizing or input we will provide is an opportunity to contribute to shaping the Global Digital Compact and share our views with the international community.

The United Nations will compile and present your views to inform deliberations of the Global Digital Compact, which will take place in 2024 as part of the Summit of the Future. On the online platform set up by the Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology at the United Nations, we can submit input about consultation.

1.10 Objective

Objectives	Overall objective Provide a forum to discuss how the future UN Global Digital Compact (GDC) can facilitate the use of digital technologies for the realisation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and enhance digital access for societies across  in Bangladesh and provide an opportunity for various stakeholders to input into the GDC. Specific Objectives: Reflect on the current state of digital transformation and identify progress, challenges, priorities, opportunities & way forward. Develop, together with multi-stakeholders, tangible recommendations for elements to be included in the Global Digital Compact & explore sustainable ways for moving forward and devising creative solutions, renewing commitment and unlocking the full potential of multi-stakeholders. Contribute to the exchange of ideas about the potential as well as the challenges in the future use of digital technologies. Bring together all stakeholders and examine how the future of the GDC can facilitate the use of digital technologies for the realization of the SDGs amidst the existing challenges and also explore how digital solutions could increase benefits and create opportunities for people in Bangladesh.
Target group	Policy Level Stakeholders: Government, the United Nations system, the private sector (including tech companies), civil society, grass-roots organizations, academia, media and individuals, including youth.
Format and Participants	The consultation process will be participative and interactive. It will encourage all participants to engage in an exchange of experiences, discussions, and reflections. The consultation will have an opening session, followed by sessions led by different speakers and interactive group discussions.
Main Intervention	Roadmap for the Bangladesh Process on the Global Digital Compact:  Thematic Deep-Dive: Consultation & Roundtable 1.     Digital inclusion and connectivity 2.      Internet governance 3.      Dat a protection 4.      Human Rights Online 5.      Digital trust and security 6.      Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technologies 7.      Global digital commons in Bangladesh Digital Commons 8.      Accelerating progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 9.      UN Summit of the Future 2024
Thematic Deep-Dive: Questions	The participants will divide into the groups and started the discussion based on these guiding questions and methodological notes:    What are the main risks for an open, free and secure Internet from Bangladesh perspective? Which measures are necessary? How can GDC contribute to addressing the issue? How can an inclusive vision for the future of the Internet look like?
Report and Papers	Report and Papers:  Development of the Issues Paper for the consultations. Development of the Report based on the consultations. Submit of the report to Office of the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology Joining the UN Summit of the Future 2024
Secretariat: Bangladesh Initiative for Connecting, Empowering & Amplifying Unified Voices on Global Digital Compact	Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) House: 9/4 Road: 2 Shamoli Dhaka 1207 | Bangladesh ceo@bnnrc. net | www.bnnrc.net Mobile: +8801711881647

  

1.11 Accountability

As BNNRC has assigned to manage the Bangladesh Initiative for Connecting, Empowering & Amplifying Unified Voices on Global Digital Compact, the undersigned will take all the responsibility for this project in abiding by all reporting and accountability requirements.