HIGH LEVEL LEADERS SESSION I

Knowledge Graph of Debate

Session report

Junhua Li, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs

In the discussions, the importance of institutional partnerships in addressing deficiencies and driving progress towards the 2030 agenda was positively received. The G7-sponsored DFFT initiative, which underscores the greater use of data and digital tools for progressing said agenda, captured the majority of discussions. Filling gaps and progressing institutional partnerships were identified as viable and essential goals.

Speakers emphasised the need for broad participation, encompassing UN members, public stakeholders, private sector entities, academic institutions and youth. This was seen as vital in stimulating dialogue on these topics and fostering a collaborative atmosphere to tackle social issues effectively.

Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is widely accepted to hinge on robust cross-border data sharing and international cooperation. However, there are ongoing concerns over the persisting digital divide and data inequality within and between countries. These issues have the potential to significantly impede the realisation of the SDGs.

Calls for the enhancement of global data governance structures were accentuated, propounding for the establishment of a rigorous, global framework capable of proficiently managing data to ensure effective and secure data flow. Upholding data sovereignty emerged as a paramount factor in these proposed enhancements to data governance. The push for a stronger public digital infrastructure and the fosterage of data capacity were also underscored as fundamental to the efficient implementation of SDGs.

The discussion also highlighted the urgent need to bolster national institutions and augment accountability. This could be achieved via support from the Global South and the advocation of robust data sharing practices and governance structures.

UN Secretary-General, Mr António Guterres’s proposal of a global digital compact was met with strong approval, marking a potent milestone for global digital governance. Attendees were urged to engage in discussions and consultations within the United Nations framework on this potential initiative. A summit to elaborate on this matter is scheduled for September 2024.

Observers of the dialogue underscored the criticality of the subjects discussed, recognising them as defining for the direction of globalisation and the inclusivity of digital resources. Consensus was reached that, with strategic investment and international cooperation, it is possible to overcome current digital divides and achieve the 2030 SDG targets.

Taro Kono, Minister, Digital Agency, Japan

The prevailing theme emerging from the analysis underscores the paramount importance of data governance and its reliability in a rapidly advancing data-driven economy. New technologies are intrinsically dependent on large data sets for their evolution and effective implementation. The credibility and reliability of this data has become a significant concern, given the challenges surrounding the fragmented data landscape, coupled with varying beliefs about privacy and security globally.

Currently, the global data landscape is fragmented with diverse perspectives on data security and privacy. This fragmentation instigates difficulties and interruptions in the smooth flow of data, which is problematic for the increasingly interconnected global economy and even more so given the urgent need for cross-border data transfer. This disruption can impede numerous multinational sectors, particularly those falling under SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

To address these challenges, the Data Free Flow with Trust (DFFT) concept is posited, winning collective support from the G7 and G20 nations. This concept endorses enhanced interoperability of data-related regulations. Within the realms of DFFT, a key discussion point is data reliability and accuracy, imperative to trustworthy and efficient data management.

The significance of reliable data extends to the domain of tackling carbon climate change. Given the global reach of supply chains, accurate and reliable data is instrumental in managing the carbon footprint throughout these chains, which aligns with SDG 13 (Climate Action). As these chains span beyond national borders, ensuring the unimpeded flow of international data is necessary.

The summary also highlights the pressing need for cross-sector collaboration for robust data governance. Current data discussion forums have had a fragmented impact, limited to being ad hoc and sector-specific, underpinning the need for a permanent and international mechanism fostering cross-border data consultations.

The pivotal role of data was further epitomised in the global efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis illustrates how data was harnessed to understand the virus thoroughly, drive vaccine development, and manage vaccination administration. Naturally, this importance raises concerns about the sensitivity of health-related data, necessitating careful handling. In anticipation of potential future pandemics, disaster preparedness strategies must incorporate data and technology use. Here, federated learning AI technologies could prove beneficial by training AI for diagnosis and prescription without the need to centrally accumulate personal health data.

Prominently, the value of convening diverse stakeholders, including policymakers, engineers, academics, and the private sector, is recognised for a multi-disciplinary dialogue on the latest technological advancements and possibilities.

Likewise, the proposal of establishing a permanent international forum for data policy dialogue has met broad acceptance, including from the G7 nations. This forum would likely play a crucial role in navigating the fragmented territory of data laws and regulations worldwide.

Concerns about the wider societal implications of data misuse were evident, particularly around the proliferation of disinformation and misinformation. The issue is codified as one that challenges not only technology, but also one that jeopardises common societal values like democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. Therefore, while the necessity of technological countermeasures to disinformation is acknowledged, the broader importance of data is emphasised as a matter integral to society at large, not confined to the economic sphere. In conclusion, the significance of robust data governance is an immediate priority for our data-dependent future.

Courtney Gregoire, Chief Digital Safety Officer, Microsoft

The detailed discourse underscores the potent capacity and potentialities of data in addressing a host of global challenges. From fuelling innovation and promoting equality to reshaping our approach towards environmental sustainability, data emerges as a formidable tool. Interlinked within this discourse is the symbiotic relationship between data and trust, showing how these components are mutually dependent and vital in meeting global objectives.

A recurrent theme is the importance of cross-border data flow. This perspective is robustly supported by the technology giant, Microsoft that champions the facilitation of data flows across borders under the principle of “data-free flow with trust”. This advocates for a model that stimulates productivity and triggers innovation. This perspective aligns with the G20 declaration, accentuated by former Prime Minister Abe, highlighting the substantial role of data flow in driving sustainable development.

Nonetheless, the value of free-flowing data is contingent on users’ confidence in the systemic security and privacy. The conversation leaned towards commercial privacy protections as an effective measure to provide assurance to users about the safety and confidentiality of their information. Key to this trust-building approach are foundational pillars of privacy, safety, security, and transparency that should be embedded into data usage policies.

The expansive potential inherent in robust data flow systems motivated discussions on the necessity for trusted mechanisms for data transfer and explicit government regulations for data access. Collaborative endeavours involving diverse stakeholders were encouraged, keeping trust at its core. The immense potential of data was acknowledged, advancing privacy and safety to tackling wide-ranging global issues and promoting equitability.

The potential of data-driven technologies paired with cross-border data flows to address inequality was stressed, showing the true value of a secure, trust-based, data-free flow. The COVID-19 pandemic was referred to as a case illustrating the power of data to address emerging global health inequities.

The transformative influence of data was recognised in the field of environmental sustainability, with companies like Microsoft applying data to escalate clean energy adoption and foster sustainable practices. Discussants emphasised the critical interplay between climatic challenges and data, advocating for data-driven climate commitments to ensure accountability.

However, concerns were raised around privacy threats due to third-party access and potential government surveillance. These concerns underscored the importance of implementing explicit principles on governmental access, as demonstrated by the OECD’s Trusted Government Access Program. The necessity for building trust through multilateral agreements and trust frameworks like the US-EU accord was identified as a notable pathway.

In summary, the indispensable role of trust in facilitating data-free flow was reiterated. As Microsoft’s initiatives attest, trust stimulates innovation and unveils global opportunities. It was concluded that the sensitive nature of data and the continuous process of nurturing and sustaining trust present a formidable task, demanding sustained commitment and a multitude of comprehensive strategies.

Leonida Mutuku, AI Research and Strategy Lead, Local Development Research Institute, Kenya

The Data Free Flow with Trust (DFFD) principle is key to encouraging international participation. This necessitates promoting bilateral data flow and enhancing data quality, both instrumental in cultivating trust in DFFD. This concept finds its basis in the African Union’s data policy framework which was ratified by its member states and emphasises a people-focused approach to cross-border data sharing and policy frameworks. This position exhibits the necessity of positioning individuals at the heart of data ecosystems, underlining the immense value of their intrinsic viewpoints.

Crucially, the curating of data within these frameworks demands precise categorisation. High-quality data, compliant with standards put forth by movements such as open government, is of paramount importance. This ensures accurate representation across global platforms and aids in combating discriminatory practices, thereby advancing inclusivity.

Addressing data inequality was flagged as a main concern. To counter this, it has been suggested that data processing should be handled solely by individuals well versed with the data sources. This method guarantees an understanding of the originating context and reduces the risk of contextual errors.

An issue identified was the prevalent ‘scarcity mentality’ in data collection, which could exacerbate inequalities. Accruing vast volumes of data may not be as beneficial as carefully selecting and analysing relevant data. Similarly, due diligence needs to be exercised when processing data for under-resourced languages to prevent loss of vital context and assure inclusivity.

Partnerships are central to data sharing, integral to the global monitoring of ecosystems. Space agencies, among others, are leading this charge by providing essential surveillance data. Nonetheless, effective policy oversight is crucial for successful cross-border data sharing, challenging authorities and policy institutions to heighten their oversight capabilities to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Building trust in institutions responsible for data collection is imperative. This rests on their proficiency, transparency, and adherence to accountability practices that inspire confidence in the populace.

The utilisation of surveillance systems, such as DHIS-2, demonstrates the power of open-source tools in logging and sharing anonymised, disaggregated health indicators. Similarly, AI-driven health systems, using shared datasets, hold potential for remarkable breakthroughs in disease discovery and treatment development. Yet, the significant challenge of data attribution still remains, underlining the importance of clarity of origin, trust in datasets, and delivering dividends to original data owners.

A comprehensive data strategy was highlighted as an overarching necessity. Trust within data flows can arguably be underpinned by the effective establishment of such a strategy, influencing corporate governance and multi-stakeholder regime norms. A key point is compliance with cultural sensitivity tenets, particularly important when involving indigenous communities where data sovereignty might be compromised.

Finally, the Championing of regulatory and operational sandboxes was proposed as a tangible solution to promote good governance among stakeholders. Emphasising transparency, accountability, and enforcement capabilities among data governance institutions reinforces their essential role in ensuring compliance with data governance principles. Ultimately, trust in data and data-centric technologies may serve as transformers and accelerators in the journey towards achieving the SDGs.

Moderator

The comprehensive discussions on data governance highlighted the necessity of continuously adapting to the increasingly vital role that data plays in an evolving economic landscape. Recognising the importance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, which require large datasets for training, panelists urged that data needs to be able to travel smoothly around the globe. However, the discussions also stressed the existing fragmentation of the global landscape of data governance, characterised by differing views about privacy and security across various regions. To address this, the proposal of DFFT (Data Free Flow with Trust), aimed at enhancing interoperability of data-related regulations, was discussed with neutrality.

Alongside this, the reliability and accuracy of data, as well as the credibility of data origin, were key focuses. An increase in misinformation and disinformation, particularly in the digital sphere, amplified the call for more stringent scrutiny of the credibility and reliability of data sources. Action-centric changes in this area included creating an international arrangement to discuss data intricacies, transcending ad-hoc and sector-specific forums, as well as implementing concrete projects to facilitate cross-border data transfer, irrespective of divergent data transfer regulations.

The sentiment toward these proposals was predominantly positive, with variations in perspective and nuances based on regional needs and concerns. For instance, Junhua Li, representing the Global South, proposed that advancing the DFFT initiative globally requires participation from a majority of UN members, all stakeholders, and the general public. Echoing this sentiment, various discussions highlighted the need for partnerships for goals, promoting diverse participation and encouraging an inclusive, multi-stakeholder approach to ensure

Speakers