On 9 January 2025, UNU and the Keio University xSDG Lab will co-organize the symposium "Towards the SDGs and Beyond: How Can Global Digital Society Accelerate Transformations?". This event will begin at 15:30 in U Thant Hall at UNU Headquarters in Tokyo.
The symposium will discuss and explore how digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI), which are rapidly and dramatically transforming our world, can bring about new possibilities for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and long-term sustainable development, particularly in the context of the Global Digital Compact.
The Global Digital Compact was adopted as an annex to the Pact for the Future, a key outcome of the United Nations Summit of the Future, held in September 2024. The Compact is a comprehensive framework for global governance of digital technology and artificial intelligence.
The goal of the Global Digital Compact is an inclusive, open, sustainable, fair, safe and secure digital future for all. To achieve this goal, the Compact includes five objectives and thirteen principles, and a series of commitments and actions based on each objective. The Compact is an agreement that centres on utilizing digital technologies towards achieving the SDGs. This is outlined in the Compact’s first objective, to “close all digital divides and accelerate progress across the Sustainable Development Goals”, with each supporting commitment and action linked to a relevant SDG.
This symposium will shed light on how the Global Digital Compact and use of digital technologies will accelerate transformations in achieving a sustainable future.
This event will be held in English and Japanese with simultaneous interpretation of each language. Advance registration (by 15:00 on 8 January) is required. Please click on the REGISTER button above to access the online registration page.
Please be prepared to present identification at check-in.
Tentative Programme
15:30-15:45 Opening Remarks
- Prof. Norichika Kanie, Professor, Keio University Graduate School of Media and Governance
15:45-16:15 Keynote Speech
"Global Digital Compact and the Private Sector" (TBC)
- Prof. Tshilidzi Marwala, Rector, United Nations University; Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations
16:15-17:15 Discussion
"Towards the SDGs and Beyond: How Can Global Digital Society Accelerate Transformations?"
Moderator:
- Ms. Hiroko Kuniya, Independent Journalist
Speakers:
- Prof. Jun Murai, Professor, Keio University
- Mr. Mitsuhiko Ida, Government Affairs Director, Microsoft Japan
- Prof. Norichika Kanie
Closing Remarks
- Ambassador Kazuhiko Nakamura, Director-General for Global Issues, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
