Director-General's remarks for the 23rd High-Level Meeting of the United Nations Group on the Information Society (UNGIS)

23rd High-Level Meeting of the United Nations Group on the Information Society (UNGIS)

Sunday, 5 July 2026, at 12:00 
Satellite Room, 15th Floor, ITU Headquarters

Delivered by Ms. Charlotte Warakaulle, Director, United Nations Library & Archives Geneva

Thank you, Chair.

I am pleased to represent the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva at this twenty-third High-Level Meeting of the United Nations Group on the Information Society. Allow me to thank ITU for hosting today’s meeting and UNCTAD for its leadership of UNGIS over the past year.

We meet at a particularly important moment for international digital cooperation. The adoption of the WSIS+20 resolution by the General Assembly, together with preparations for the upcoming Global Dialogue on AI Governance and the AI for Good Summit here in Geneva, reflects the growing recognition that digital technologies are now central to sustainable development, peace, prosperity and international cooperation.

The pace of technological change continues to accelerate, bringing extraordinary opportunities while also raising increasingly complex governance challenges. As digital technologies - and increasingly AI - transform every aspect of our societies, international cooperation must evolve at the same pace.

This is precisely why the work of UNGIS is so important. By bringing together the expertise of the United Nations system, UNGIS helps ensure coherent, inclusive and effective multilateral responses to digital transformation. The progress achieved over the past year - including efforts to strengthen coordination, advance coherence between the WSIS process and the Global Digital Compact, and expand multistakeholder engagement - demonstrates the value of working together across institutional boundaries.

The discussions taking place in Geneva this week also highlight the unique role of International Geneva as a platform where governments, international organizations, academia, the private sector and civil society come together to translate scientific knowledge into informed policy and collective action. As the home of multilateral diplomacy, Geneva remains an indispensable hub for shaping inclusive approaches to digital governance.

These efforts also resonate with the Secretary-General’s broader UN80 reform agenda, which seeks a United Nations that is more effective, coherent and responsive to today’s global challenges. UNGIS provides a practical example of how stronger coordination across the UN system can enhance our collective impact in support of Member States.

The United Nations Office at Geneva remains committed to supporting dialogue, fostering partnerships and providing an inclusive platform for multilateral cooperation on digital issues. We look forward to continuing our close collaboration with all UNGIS members as we work together to advance a human-centred, inclusive and sustainable digital future.

Thank you.