Today, September 28th, the United Nations University – Operating Unit on Policy-Driven Electronic Governance (UNU-EGOV) received the visit from Tshilidzi Marwala, Rector of the United Nations University and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations.
The Rector first met with UNU-EGOV Director Delfina Soares, Deputy Director Luís Soares Barbosa, and Head of Administration Elisabete Simões. He then joined the UNU-EGOV team for a discussion on the Unit’s ongoing activities and strategic priorities.
During the meeting, he also heard updates from the UNU-EGOV’s Thematic Areas Coordinators: Morten Meyerhoff (Thematic Area 1: Digital Governance Frameworks, Strategies, Regulations and Monitoring), Soumaya Ben Dhaou (Thematic Area 2: Emerging Technologies and Innovation in Digital Governance), and Luís Soares Barbosa (Thematic Areas 3 and 4: People, Communities and Digital Participation; and Digital Governance and Policies for Addressing Global Challenges).
Tshilidzi Marwala expressed great interest in the work being carried out across all Thematic Areas and welcomed the progress the Unit has made in advancing research, policy engagement, and capacity development in digital governance.
The visit is part of the Rector’s two-day programme in Portugal, which also includes meetings with the Mayor of Guimarães, Ricardo Araújo, the Rector of the University of Minho, Pedro Arezes, and Portugal’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Paulo Rangel.
Technology, Governance and Human Responsibility
Reflecting on recent international debates surrounding Artificial Intelligence (AI), Tshilidzi Marwala argued that concerns about AI are often overstated. He maintained that the greatest risks to society continue to arise from human actions, citing ongoing conflicts around the world as evidence.
I believe that concerns about artificial intelligence are often overstated. The greatest risks we face today still come from human beings, not from technology itself
According to the Rector, the central challenge of technology governance is ensuring that human beings remain accountable for final decisions and for the use of technology. He stressed that technological systems should be designed and deployed with human oversight in mind, even though the degree of oversight may vary according to the context.
Transformation of the United Nations System
Marwala also addressed ongoing changes within the United Nations (UN) system, including discussions surrounding the selection of the next Secretary-General and broader institutional reform processes.
In particular, he also referred to the implementation of the UN80 initiative, which aims to strengthen coordination across United Nations entities. In this context, he highlighted the role assigned to the United Nations University in developing mechanisms that promote greater collaboration, knowledge sharing and coordination throughout the UN system.
However, he noted that different UN entities are engaged in work on similar topics, including Artificial Intelligence and digital transformation, often without sufficient coordination mechanisms in place.
He advocated for the development of tools and frameworks that encourage collaboration and reduce duplication of efforts, enabling organizations to learn from one another and operate in a more coordinated manner.
Development as a Condition for Peace and Security
Within the context of discussions on the future of the United Nations, the Rector argued that development should not be separated from the peace and security agenda.
He emphasized that access to infrastructure, including digital infrastructure, is a fundamental condition for societal stability and security. He further noted that the digital domain has become a strategic space with growing implications for global defence and security.
The Strategic Role of UNU-EGOV
Discussing the mission of UNU-EGOV, Tshilidzi Marwala first described the Unit as an organization dedicated to the governance of digital infrastructures and technologies.
He then emphasized that its mandate is both broad and highly relevant, encompassing areas such as Artificial Intelligence, digital devices, health technologies and other innovations that require appropriate governance frameworks. He also underscored the importance of ensuring that ethical, social and inclusion considerations are embedded from the earliest stages of technological development.
UNU-EGOV has a broad and important mandate, and we are committed to supporting its continued growth and international expansion
The Rector also highlighted UNU-EGOV’s strong engagement with Portugal and the Lusophone community, praising the initiatives already underway and encouraging the institute to further expand its collaboration with Portuguese-speaking countries across Africa, South America and Asia.
UNU's Identity within the United Nations Ecosystem
Answering questions about the growing involvement of other international organizations in the digital sphere, the Rector argued that the United Nations University should continue to position itself as both a think tank and the academic arm of the UN system.
According to Tshilidzi Marwala, the University's key contribution lies in producing independent knowledge, critically assessing public policies and leveraging its unique ability to mobilize international academic networks. He highlighted the importance of maintaining distinct areas of specialization while continuing to collaborate closely with other UN entities and external partners.
We are the think tank of the United Nations system. Our role is to provide independent thinking on the implementation, deployment and assessment of new technologies. Academic freedom is part of our identity, and it gives the United Nations University a level of independence that is both distinctive and valuable
