Following the launch of the Global Digital Compact (GDC) by the United Nations’ Secretary General, UN member states and stakeholders are developing a “Zero Draft” to outline shared goals and principles for an open, free, and secure digital future for all. USCIB Vice President for Digital Policy Cheryl Miller gave an intervention at the most recent GDC consultation to highlight US business concerns with the Zero Draft.  

Miller’s intervention warned against duplication of efforts by the GDC that are already ongoing at other multilateral organizations on both internet governance and artificial intelligence (AI). Namely, Miller emphasized that existing UN forums, such as the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), could implement and monitor GDC objectives, rather than creating new structures and processes.  

“Using existing forums will avoid duplication of efforts and resources for US companies and all stakeholders involved,” said Miller. 

Miller also raised the issue of duplication when it comes to international governance of AI. Discussions around AI governance is already ongoing at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), as well as at regional and national levels.  

“The GDC could helpfully complement ongoing dialogues at the OECD, ITU, and ECOSOC, rather than convening its own annual global dialogue,” added Miller. 

Miller was one of several representatives across the multistakeholder community to give an intervention to Ambassador Chola Milambo, the Permanent Representative of Zambia to the UN, who is co-facilitating the GDC, along with Ambassador Anna-Karin Eneström, the Permanent Representative of Sweden to the UN. 

USCIB will continue to work with the multistakeholder community to ensure that the final Zero Draft supports an open, free and secure digital future for all.