On July 12, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced the launch of a High-level Panel on Digital Cooperation. The purpose of the Panel  is to advance proposals to strengthen cooperation in the digital space among governments, the private sector, civil society, international organizations, technical and academic communities and other relevant stakeholders. The ultimate aim is to realize the transformational potential of digital technologies while safeguarding against risks and unintended consequences.

The Panel has a total of 20 members, representing a cross-section of expertise from government, private industry, civil society, academia and the technical community. GCSC Chair Marina Kaljurand and Special Adviser Vint Cerf have both been honored with an invitation to participate and will combine their expertise with that of other members to advance the agenda of Digital Cooperation.

The Secretary-General has asked the Panel to contribute to the broader public debate on the importance of cooperative and interdisciplinary approaches to ensure a safe and inclusive digital future for all taking into account relevant human rights norms. They will seek to gather the views and proposals of Member States, relevant industries, civil society and academia worldwide through a careful consultation process. It will draw expertise from expert communities across the globe through engagement at existing events, conferences and forums as well as call for contributions from the general public through virtual hubs and online participation platforms. The Panel is expected to identify policy, research and information gaps, and make proposals to strengthen international cooperation in the digital space. Their work will culminate in a Final Report that includes actionable recommendations.