Localizing the Global Digital Compact Global Alliance of Mayors for Digital Cooperation

Digital technologies are rapidly reshaping cities across the globe, presenting unprecedented opportunities to improve the quality of life for urban populations and promote sustainability in urban environments. Cities are at the forefront of this transformation, leading the way in fostering inclusive, equitable, and innovative digital ecosystems. However, the complexity of this transformation requires international cooperation to ensure that cities navigate the digital revolution effectively, leaving no one behind.

This event, titled "Localizing the Global Digital Compact: Global Alliance of Mayors for Digital Cooperation," will center on the critical role of cities and their leadership in implementing the Global Digital Compact (GDC). The GDC, which is part of the broader Pact for the Future, focuses on fostering global collaboration around digital solutions, particularly those that advance inclusive and sustainable urban development.

A primary focus will be on the Global Alliance of Mayors for Digital Cooperation (GAM-4-DC), launched in 2023 by the UN Secretary-General's Envoy on Technology and UN-Habitat. The alliance brings together mayors from around the world to collaborate on the effective use of digital technologies to advance the Sustainable Development Goals and improve urban governance. Through this platform, mayors can share best practices, promote collective action, and advocate for policies that support equitable digital access and innovation at the local level.

The session will explore how mayors and local governments can localize the principles of the GDC, offering practical strategies for addressing the unique challenges faced by urban areas in the digital era. By focusing on the role of local leadership, the event will demonstrate how mayors can drive digital transformation that is inclusive, resilient, and people-centered, while also ensuring that the benefits of technological advancements are shared equitably among all citizens.

In support of this effort, the event will incorporate insights from the International Guidelines on People-Centred Smart Cities, a framework that is currently being developed by UN-Habitat through consultations with multiple stakeholders. These guidelines aim to ensure that digital technologies are deployed in ways that prioritize human needs, safeguard human rights, and promote social inclusion. The guidelines represent a critical tool for cities looking to adopt a balanced and people-centered approach to smart city development.

Through collaborative dialogue, this session will empower city leaders with actionable insights to help localize the GDC’s principles in their own urban contexts. The discussion will also highlight how the GAM-4-DC can serve as a platform for fostering multilateral cooperation and advancing digital governance at the city level.