Just-in-time publication: Unpacking Global Digital Compact

On 8 November, Sorina Teleanu will present her timely book ‘Unpacking Global Digital Compact’. I was honoured to accept her invitation to write the preface of the book which is enclosed here.

Preface

Sorina Telanu’s book is a comprehensive reference for anyone interested in the Global Digital Compact (GDC). It is published only 47 days after the adoption of the GDC on 22 September 2024 during the Summit of the Future, held at the United Nations in New York.

The GDC, as an annex of the Pact for the Future, is a ‘new kid on the block’ in the realm of AI, digital, and internet governance. It brings fresh dynamism to debates on how we should govern digital and AI developments amidst varying perceptions and positions. The adoption of the GDC represents a significant achievement at a time when we have more divisions than convergences in multilateral diplomacy.

In addition to comprehensive coverage of the GDC, there are several reasons why this book is a go-to resource for understanding the GDC and broader digital governance.

In-depth analysis of GDC negotiations

The book provides a detailed account of the GDC negotiations over the 18 month-long process, tracking and analysing changes across different versions of GDC drafts. This thorough approach offers readers an in-depth understanding of the publicly available preparatory work (travaux préparatoires) of the GDC. By following the evolution of formulations, we can identify points of controversy in the GDC negotiations. For example, as the GDC draft advanced, the number of concrete targets related to certain commitments decreased. In the midst of controversies, negotiators often fell back on previously ‘agreed language’ in digital governance.

Zooming in and out

The analysis presents a unique interplay between zooming in on specific provisions, sometimes on the edge of linguistic pedantery, and zooming out to provide a broader perspective on digital governance and cooperation. For example, the book indicates how negotiations on specific GDC provisions reflected formulations adopted during the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS), UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and in other policy processes and initiatives. Sorina’s approach is particularly relevant, as most writings on digital governance tend to be either highly detailed or broadly focused on the societal impacts of digitalisation.

Analysis from the point of public interest

In a space where national or institutional interests often shape interpretations of policy documents and initiatives, this book provides a valuable analysis of the GDC from the vantage point of the core mission of the UN and the public interest. Although the understanding of public interest can be contested as a matter of interpretation, the book aims to reduce confusion by referring to specific provisions in UN policy documents.

Anchoring to the wider digital governance space

Drawing on extensive experience in various digital governance processes on a national and international level, including the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum and the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), Sorina provides insights shaped by direct involvement in finding consensus solutions accommodating diverse interests and stakeholders.

The book provides practical insights into the issue of avoiding duplication in digital governance, an often pronounced goal but rarely followed. Avoiding discussion on the same issue in several policy spaces is becoming a critical issue as the UN, member states, and other stakeholders face a problem of the limited financial, human, and institutional resources to follow the mushrooming number of policy initiatives and processes on AI and digitalisation. This challenge is particularly critical for small and developing countries, who are the least represented in the current digital governance spaces. 

Simplicity and clarity

The GDC, like other negotiated documents, is written in ‘agreed language’ that is not always easy to decipher or relate to the concrete policy problems we face. The book makes policy language and the complex intricacies of the GDC understandable for a broad audience. The author’s teaching experience enhances the accessibility of the content, making this book an excellent resource for those studying the GDC and related processes.

Balanced analysis

The book clearly distinguishes between facts and interpretation, even using colour coding to highlight these distinctions. It is diligent and balanced in its analyses, ensuring that interpretations reflect a range of perspectives and remain grounded in the publicly available evidence. Sorina’s approach brings a fresh breeze to the increasingly ideologically shaped debate on AI and digital governance. It combines hands-on experience in internet and digital governance with intellectual integrity and a resistance to empty rhetoric.

Just-in-time publishing

This book is both swift in its response and profound in its reflection. Published only 47 days after the adoption of the GDC, it provides immediate insights while drawing on years of meticulous engagement with digital governance and the GDC negotiations. The initial version, released on 8 November, marks just the beginning of coverage of the GDC, as this book will evolve continuously through Diplo’s KaiZen publishing approach.

Next steps

This book arrives at a pivotal moment in the search for effective governance solutions, aiming to harness the new momentum generated by the GDC alongside the longstanding tradition of managing the internet and digital developments. While new approaches are needed, many successful processes should be strengthened.

We have all the ingredients for developing a winning formula for future digital and AI governance. There is political will, from the UN Secretary-General and the leaders of many countries. The UN Tech Envoy brings the necessary experience and expertise in managing the interplay between tech and diplomatic realms. There is a solid foundation of what works and what does not, developed over decades by international organisations (e.g. ITU, UNESCO, UNCTAD), member states, the tech community, civil society, and academia in the context of WSIS, IGF, ICANN, and other digital policy processes.

It is our responsibility to ensure that this opportunity is not lost. We are all, to varying degrees, invested in proper AI and digital governance. Amid a challenging time for the UN and multilateralism, Sorina’s analysis preserves hope that the UN can play a vital role in making AI and digital governance inclusive, informed, impartial, and impactful. Let us make it possible.