New York - The United Nations released the Universal DPI Safeguards Framework: A Guide to Building Safe and Inclusive DPI for Societies, a set of actionable guidelines for Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) that serve the public interest. This launch coincides with the adoption of the Global Digital Compact, in which 193 member states and territories recognized the potential of DPI in promoting inclusive digital transformation and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Universal DPI Safeguards Framework was developed through a multistakeholder process under the stewardship of the Office of the Secretary-General's Envoy on Technology (OSET) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The Framework reflects the role of DPI and its safeguards in the GDC process to ensure DPI implementations mitigate risks at both the individual and societal level, advance the SDGs and foster trust and equity across all countries.
"The Universal DPI Safeguards Framework is the result of a collective effort to create guardrails for the interplay between people, planet and public infrastructure that is rapidly digitalising. The framework offers a practical tool to help countries and stakeholders design what that looks like in their context," said Amandeep Singh Gill, the Secretary-General Envoy on Technology.
The launch event showcased how countries such as Rwanda and the East African Community are adopting safe and inclusive processes across the DPI implementation life cycles, and are part of the global ecosystem of governments, civil society organizations, the private sector, technology organizations and multilaterals that contributed to the development of the actionable Universal DPI Safeguards during 2024.
"Digital public infrastructure is transforming the delivery of services to people all the way to the last mile. As more countries design and implement these digital foundations, we must commit to the universal adoption of these critical safeguards to build safe and inclusive digital public infrastructure that benefits all," said Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator.
To support adoption across countries, the International Organizations Consultative Group (IOCG) with 12 representatives from multilateral banks and organizations committed to active collaboration, cooperation and coordination to support the adoption of the Universal DPI Safeguards Framework through capacity building, regularly monitor the impact of safe and inclusive DPI implementations on SDGs.
The Universal DPI Safeguards Framework is an open public asset which is accessible here.
