On Monday, 24 October, the Permanent Mission of Canada in Geneva hosted a meeting between representatives from the Freedom Online Coalition’s (FOC) Diplomatic Network in Geneva, the United Nations (UN) Envoy on Technology, Mr. Amandeep Singh Gill, and the Director of the Thematic Engagement, Special Procedures and Right to Development Division of the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), Ms. Peggy Hicks.
The meeting provided an opportunity for FOC member states to discuss the intersection between the Coalition’s mission to promote human rights, Internet freedom and digital inclusion, and the mandates of the UN Tech Envoy and the OHCHR, as well as identifying opportunities for further collaboration.
Canada’s Ambassador to the UN, Leslie E. Norton, and US Deputy Permanent Representative, Ben Moeling, provided opening remarks to reflect on the FOC’s work to advance digital inclusion under Canada’s Chairship, and share insight into the Program of Action for 2023, which will guide the upcoming US Chairship of the Coalition.
Mr. Amandeep Singh Gill underscored the synergy between the mandate of the UN Tech Envoy and the priorities of the FOC, especially in relation to the importance of promoting and protecting human rights and Internet freedoms. On the topic of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Tech Envoy highlighted the important role that technology plays in meeting SDG targets, which closely interlinks with efforts to advance digital inclusion and bridge digital divides. The Tech Envoy also highlighted the importance of including Global South voices in discussions on digital issues. The ongoing process to collect input for the Global Digital Compact (GDC) was further elaborated upon by the Tech Envoy, which will culminate in two upcoming reports to the UN General Assembly prior to a Ministerial event.
Ms. Peggy Hicks noted the direct and growing link between digital technology policy issues and the OHCHR’s mandate, highlighting the dual nature of technology and the Human Rights Council’s work; its potential to improve human rights, but also risks without further safeguards. Ms. Hicks echoed the Tech Envoy on the need to consider how digital rights issues are being experienced in the Global South, and underscored the OHCHR’s B-Tech Project that provides authoritative guidance and resources for implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
The FOC’s multi-stakeholder Task Forces on Digital Equality, AI and Human Rights, Internet Shutdowns, and the Silicon Valley Working Group are currently developing a joint submission for the GDC, which aims to ‘outline shared principles for an open, free and secure digital future for all’. The Compact is to be agreed during the Summit of the Future in September 2023.
The FOC would like to thank Mr. Amandeep Singh Gill and Ms. Peggy Hicks for participating in this insightful discussion, and welcomes further opportunities to collaborate and support strategies to advance human rights, both online and offline, worldwide.
For more information and to contribute to the Global Digital Compact, visit www.un.org/techenvoy/global-digital-compact.
