9 September 2025 – 15:00 CEST | 13:00 UTC
The ‘Multi-Stakeholder Working Group on Data Governance at all levels as relevant for development’ is a milestone: this is the first time data governance has been formally placed on the UN’s global agenda, with concrete commitments expected to materialise in years to come.
This online event, co-organised by Diplo, Open Knowledge Foundation (OFKN) and the Geneva Internet Platform, will discuss the progress made by the Working Group so far, and the expectations for the next meeting, which will take place 15-16 September. Discussants will unpack two key documents approved last May: the terms of reference and work plan of the WG. These documents provided the base for the creation of four parallel working tracks. Each of them launched a call for feedback and contributions, which will serve as input to future discussions:
Track 1: Principles of data governance at all levels
Track 2: Interoperability between national, regional, and international data systems
Track 3: Considerations for sharing the benefits of data
Track 4: Facilitation of safe, secure, and trusted data flows, including cross-border data flows
Speakers will present an overview of the goals of the working tracks, and share the expectations they hold for the next WG meeting.
Speakers:
Carl Gahnberg, Director of Policy Development and Research at the Internet Society
Daniela García, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Ecuador to the World Trade Organization and other International Economic Organizations in Geneva
Nick Ashton-Hart, Senior Director, Digital Economy Policy at APCO Worldwide
Renata Avila, CEO, Open Knowledge Foundation (OKFN)
Moderator:
Marilia Maciel, Director of Digital Trade and Economic Security, Diplo
Background information
At the United Nations Summit of the Future in 2024, world leaders adopted the Pact for the Future, which includes the Global Digital Compact (GDC). One of GDC’s central pillars is data governance, marking the first time this issue has been formally placed on the UN’s global agenda, with concrete commitments expected to materialise.
As a follow-up, the United Nations General Assembly requested the Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) to establish a dedicated Multi-Stakeholder Working Group on Data Governance at all levels as relevant for development. This group has been convened two times: on 1-2 May 2025 and on 3-4 July.
The next WG meeting will take place on 15-16 September, in Geneva, and will also be open to observers (onsite and online).
