Joint statement by the Baltic States at the Consultations on the Global Digital Compact delivered by Latvia

27 February 2024

Distinguished co-facilitators, colleagues,

We thank the co-facilitators for holding this informal consultation on the Global Digital Compact.

I am delivering this statement on behalf of Baltic States: Estonia, Lithuania and my own country - Latvia. We also align ourselves with the statement delivered by the European Union.

We thank the co-facilitators from Sweden and Zambia for the provided list of possible elements of a Global Digital Compact that will help to further our discussions on the substance of the Compact. We are happy to note that this list has captured most of the potentials and challenges, and we would like to highlight few of our priorities:

First, the Global Digital Compact should focus on the countless opportunities of digital technologies (in economy, education, health, e-governance) and not just on potential threats and how to manage them. The Compact should have a positive impact on actions that are urgent, transformative, and also fill critical gaps. Ensuring universal connectivity and closing the digital divides should be among our top priorities. SDGs are all about leaving no one behind, but in this digital era it also means leaving no one offline.

Second, it is crucial to involve all stakeholders to ensure that the Compact reflects a comprehensive vision. The Compact should contain a strong commitment to the multi-stakeholder model of internet governance to ensure that all societies can benefit from internet that is global, open, free, reliable, safe and secure.

Third, recognizing the global challenge of disinformation, the Compact should support multi-stakeholder efforts to deal with it by promoting information integrity online – an reliable, safe and diverse information ecosystem that respects human rights, including the right to freedom of opinion and expression, and the right to privacy.

Fourth, we should all work towards transparency that ensures responsible AI use, including human oversight that safeguards human control and decision-making and equity and inclusion that bridge the digital divide and foster responsible data practices. Through these topics, the Compact can unlock AI's potential to tackle risks and maximize social benefits for all. AI is not as a force to fear, but it is a tool to build a more just and prosperous world.

Fifth, we also have to keep in mind to consider bold commitments: investments in universal, affordable internet access, upskilling citizens with crucial digital literacy, promoting the use and development of digital public goods and digital public infrastructure, and fostering joint research and development in AI and other emerging technologies for social good.

Last, if we turn to the implementation of the Compact, we believe it is important to strengthen and enhance cooperation with and between existing specialized organisations and processes such as the ITU, IGF, UNESCO and others, by giving them more clearly determined role in the realization of the Global Digital Compact objectives.

In conclusion, this Compact can be our bridge to a more inclusive, equitable, and innovative digital future for all.

Distinguished co-facilitators,

Thank you for this opportunity and we are looking forward to engage further in the negotiations of the Global Digital Compact.

I thank you.