RIYADH: The Digital Government Authority held discussions with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA) to establish a digital government center affiliated with the UN, to be headquartered in Riyadh, and aimed at enhancing international cooperation, exchange experiences, and developing best practices.
This came as a result of signing of a letter of intent between the DGA and the UN on the sidelines of the Science, Technology and Innovation Forum on Wednesday in New York, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
DGA Governor Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Suwaiyan said that selecting Riyadh as the headquarters for the UN digital government center reflects Saudi Arabia’s leadership and global role as a model in building an integrated digital ecosystem that is human-centric and future-oriented.
He noted that the center represents a pivotal milestone in advancing digital government practices globally, supporting member states, enhancing knowledge exchange, and leveraging artificial intelligence and modern technologies.
He affirmed that this step is a result of the support and enablement that digital government receives from the Sudi leadership within the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
Bjorg Sandkjaer, assistant secretary-general for policy coordination at the UN department, indicated that the current discussions are an extension of the ongoing cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the UN over the past period, and lay the foundation for a long-term partnership aimed at supporting digital government and strengthening public sector capacities.
She said it will contribute to bridging the digital divide, as the center will work on developing frameworks, standards, and best practices to help member states build comprehensive and sustainable digital strategies that contribute to achieving the sustainable development goals and enhancing their inclusiveness globally.
Saudi Arabia launched the Riyadh Declaration during the 19th session of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF 2024), which was held in Riyadh. The forum is organized annually by the UN and brings together global experts to discuss and shape international directions and policies in internet governance.
This center builds on the declaration’s focus on enhancing international cooperation, supporting digital inclusion through the use of AI technologies to increase access and bridge the digital divide, and supporting sustainable development by improving quality of life, enhancing environmental protection, and driving economic growth, in addition to enabling responsible innovation and increasing productivity at the global level.
