United Nations General Assembly 79th Session (UNGA79)
10 September 2024 – 30 September 2024 EDT
Venue: United Nations Headquarters & surrounding New York City area, New York, USA (and virtual)
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The 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79) will start on Tuesday 10 September 2024. The first day of the high-level General Debate will be Tuesday 24 September 2024 through to Monday 30 September 2024.
This year, the highly anticipated Summit of the Future will be held during UNGA79 with Summit of the Future Action Days on Friday 20 September and Saturday 21 September, followed by an official Heads of State and Government summit on Sunday 22 September and Monday 23 September, 2024. The Summit aims to address “the critical challenges and gaps in global governance exposed by recent global shocks.” The Summit will adopt three agreements: a Pact for the Future, Global Digital Compact, and Declaration on Future Generations. Access Now has been actively following the Global Digital Compact process. For more information view our FAQ on the Global Digital Compact.
Below are some of the public events Access Now will be joining at UNGA79 2024. Follow the link below to the official United Nations website for the registration process, and to confirm time, date and locations of sessions, which may change. High-level debates will be livestreamed on UN Web TV.
Thursday 19 September
Global Digital Compact Civil Society Strategic Discussion Space
Thursday 19 September, 2024 (08:00 – 12:00 EDT), Scandinavian House
In preparation for the finalization of the Global Digital Compact (GDC) this event aims to provide space for civil society organizations to critically discuss the final text and engage in strategic discussion around the implementation and follow-up of the GDC. This is an opportunity to align agendas on cross-cutting progressive issues and coordinate efforts across regions and themes.
The side event is coordinated by the Association for Progressive Communications (APC), IT for Change, Equality Now, Alliance for Universal Digital Rights (AUDRi), Women at the Table/ <A+> Alliance for Inclusive Algorithms, Pollicy, Derechos Digitales, Women Rights Online, UN Women and UNFPA.
The side event will be held in English.
Saturday 21 September
Saturday 21 September, 2024 (10:30-17:00 EDT), United Nations Headquarters ECOSOC Chamber
This full day session is co-convened by the Office of the Special Envoy on Technology (OSET), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and “will bring forward-looking commitments from all stakeholders to harness innovation, science and data in a more inclusive, safe and sustainable manner” as part of the digital track of the Summit of the Future.
The Power of the Commons: Digital Public Goods for a More Secure, Inclusive, and Resilient World
Saturday 21 September, 2024 (11:15-12:30 EDT), United Nations Headquarters Conference Room 2
The Pact for the Future and Global Digital Compact offer an important opportunity to ensure that Digital Public Goods (DPGs) and Digital Public Infrastructures (DPIs) are able to shape our digital world for the public good. This event will spotlight success stories and explore how DPGs and DPIs can ensure that people around the world have a say in how technology is developed and governed, bridge digital divides, empower communities, and advance Sustainable Development Goals. The event will also tackle governance challenges and map a path toward a globally inclusive digital future.
This side event is co-sponsored by the UN Member State Delegations of Mexico, Poland, and Germany, as well as the organizations Access Now (featuring Marianne Díaz Hernández as speaker), TUM Think Tank, Network of Centers, Wikimedia Deutschland, Wikimedia Czech Republic, and Wikimedia Europe.
The Critical Role of Human Rights in Realizing the Pact for the Future
Saturday 21 September, 2024 (13:00-14:15 EDT), United Nations Headquarters Conference Room 2
This side event will discuss the value of human rights in achieving sustainable development, peace, and security, and in ensuring the effective enjoyment of all human rights by all. It will showcase concrete applications of human rights as a bridge-builder between the people and the institutions of the State in a range of areas, including addressing inequalities, tackling discrimination, and confronting new and emerging challenges.
This side event is co-organized by the UN Human Rights Office, Costa Rica, South Africa, the European Union, Action for Sustainable Development, and CIVICUS. Further information, including the Concept Note of the event, will be shared in due course and posted on the OHCHR website.
Monday 23 September
War, famine, and satellites: Connecting the dots of the humanitarian impact of shutdowns in Sudan
Monday 23 September, 2024 (10:00-11:00 EDT), Access Now Office (and virtual)
A preventable, human-caused famine is unfolding in Sudan, and internet shutdowns are playing a direct role. With peace negotiations failing, humanitarian access efforts center on getting food into territories controlled by warring parties. With this event, we aim to supplement those crucial negotiations by exploring telecommunications and the role of digital connectivity in advancing peace and humanitarian access.
This expert discussion session alongside UNGA 79 would highlight the work of GISA, presenting findings from their briefing “Digital Lifelines: How Internet Connectivity Enables Vital Aid in Sudan.” The report is the result of the Sudan Crisis Response project, launched to enhance communication resilience for local humanitarian actors, journalists, and human rights defenders, and also tested a variety of connectivity solutions including low earth orbit satellites (LEOs).
Wednesday 25 September
Foreign Policy Tech Forum: Accelerating Global Connectivity and Progress Toward the SDGs
Wednesday 25 September, 2024 (08:30 – 10:30 EDT), Rockefeller Plaza and Virtual
As emerging technologies reshape global dynamics, policymakers are tasked with developing robust frameworks that can keep pace, ensuring that innovation and technology advance the public good. They, along with industry, finance, development, and civil society, must navigate the complexities of supporting equitable growth, managing evolving threats, and addressing critical issues such as AI ethics, digital sovereignty, cybersecurity, biosecurity, and more.
This year’s forum will explore how advanced technologies can foster greater connectivity and prosperity, emphasizing the crucial role of science, biotech, technology, and innovation (STI) within the UN framework. Through a series of panel discussions and one-on-one conversations, the FP Tech Forum @ UNGA79 will take a candid look at the state of technology, increasing global fragmentation, and the steps necessary to mitigate risks and leverage technology for material progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.