Statement at the Informal Consultations on Global Digital Compact by AHM Bazlur Rahman

Statement at the Informal Consultations on Global Digital Compact

Statement by AHM Bazlur Rahman, Chief Executive Officer, Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication at the Informal consultations on thematic Deep-Dive on Global Digital Commons with the Member States and Stakeholders of the Inter-governmental Process, led by the Co-facilitators Rwanda and Sweden, New York, 14 June 2023, UNHQs.??

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Distinguished Co-facilitators,

We have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication and Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum.

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At the outset, I would like to thank the Co-facilitators for convening this thematic deep dive, which provides the opportunity to share our ideas and vision on this topic.

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Distinguished Co-facilitators,

1.???Common understanding of digital commons and enabling infrastructure: While terms such as digital commons, digital public infrastructure and digital public goods have been widely used in the last few years.

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2.???Embedding inclusion in the design of digital commons: Like most digital technologies, access to and participation in digital commons is not equal, These inequities are also aggravated by disparities regarding the digital – be it digital connectivity or digital literacy.

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3.???Promotion of community rights of data:

Community data is crucial not only to the functioning of digital commons but has significant value in the insights it provides about communities.

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4.???Democratizing access to digital commons beyond open data:

For digital commons to be equitable, there needs to be equitable access to education and technology that allows individuals to make use of open data to further social benefit.

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Distinguished Co-facilitators,

Now it is time to act to redefine the Global Digital Commons. It is the right time to reinforce universal access to the Global Digital Commons, Not Just a Privilege. It should be included in every policy or regulation like access to the Global Digital Commons as a Basic Right. ?

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The Global Digital Compact could establish an international treaty to govern the protection of global commons, holding the ideals of equity and justice at its core.

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CSOs in collaboration with International Organizations could undertake more initiatives to upskill and reskill marginalized communities in the use of digital technologies and on Global Digital Commons.

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We would like to fully endorse the Towards Our Common Digital Future about Global Digital Commons by the German Advisory Council on Global Change and 5 Year Strategy of Digital Public Goods Alliance.

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The emergence of shared digital infrastructure, open software or freely accessible data hence can be considered a “return of the commons.”

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To conclude, Madam/Mr. Co-facilitators,

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We look forward to working together towards a Global Digital Compact and we would appreciate it if you could kindly persuade the concerned authority to allow us the upcoming Ministerial Meeting of the Summit of the Future in September 2023.?

I thank you, Madam/Mr. Co-facilitators.

Joy Bangla! Joy Bangabandhu!

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