Rwanda Internet Governance Forum 2024 “Building our Multi-stakeholder Digital Future” Keynote speech by Ozonnia Ojielo, UN Resident Coordinator

• Honorable Minister, my dear sister Paula Ingabire, 
• Ms. Grace Ingabire, CEO of Rwanda Internet Community and Technology Alliance (RICTA) LTD, 
• Senior Government Officials, here present 
• Distinguished partners from GIZ and Carnegie Mellon University Africa, 
• Fellow IT enthusiasts, 
• Ladies and Gentlemen, 
• All protocols observed, 

Mwaramutse neza? 

1. It is a pleasure to be with you today at this very important Forum. As the theme urges us, we must build our Multi-stakeholder Digital Future.
2. Imagine, a world where the sun never rises—where we are constantly shrouded in darkness. In such a world, our ability to see, navigate, and connect with one another would be severely limited. The internet, in many ways, has become our modern-day sunlight, illuminating the path forward, connecting us across vast distances, and enabling us to explore new horizons. Just as the sun is indispensable to life on Earth, so too has the internet become indispensable to our lives, our economies, and our future.
3. When we were pinned down by the COVID-19 lockdowns, what connected us? The internet. When we were not able to shake hands, we found ourselves smiling and saying, "Nice to e-meet you" on various video conferencing platforms.
4. When we could not queue at the banks to withdraw money for our daily subsistence, Push and Pull and other cashless innovations had our backs. Each and every one of you has a story to tell—a moving story of how the internet, directly or indirectly, kept your lives moving.
5. In Rwanda, we greatly appreciate how, under visionary leadership, the country has made significant strides in harnessing this digital sunlight. From e-health initiatives to digital agriculture, we’ve seen how technology can enhance lives and drive economic growth. The transformation from simple cyber cafes to the comprehensive Irembo platform illustrates how the internet can unlock opportunities. But like any powerful force, we must wield it carefully, ensuring that it remains a common good for all.

Honorable Minister, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

6. One of the most pressing issues we face today is the ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI). AI, much like the sun, has the power to sustain life but can also burn if misused. We must ensure that AI is developed and utilized in ways that benefit everyone, not just a privileged few. Rwanda has been proactive in embracing AI, with a National AI Policy that aims to leverage AI to significantly enhance the country's development, economy, and Sustainable Development Goals—this is highly commendable. We must continue to steer this powerful technology with care, ensuring it serves the interests of all Rwandans. Initiatives like the Government of Rwanda's Connect Rwanda and the macye macye phone distribution scheme aim to democratize access to the internet, allowing every citizen to benefit from the opportunities AI and other digital innovations offer.
7. Cybersecurity is another critical challenge in our digital age. In the vast expanse of the internet, our data is our most valuable resource—a treasure chest filled with information that can be used for good or ill. We must protect this treasure from cyber pirates who seek to steal and misuse it. Building trust in digital systems is essential, as it underpins our ability to fully leverage the benefits of digital transformation. As we expand our digital footprint, the need for robust cybersecurity measures grows. It is not just about protecting data; it’s about safeguarding the trust that people place in the systems we are building.
8. Equally important is data governance. From the perspective of the United Nations, where we advocate for the rule of law and the principle of "do no harm," data governance is a cornerstone of a secure digital future. Just as we have laws to protect our physical property, we need robust safeguards to protect our digital assets. Rwanda has made commendable progress in this area with its data privacy and protection law, ensuring the privacy of personal data and promoting the localization of data storage and processing. These efforts are crucial in ensuring that our digital advancements are not only innovative but also safe and secure for all.

Honorable Minister, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

9. Allow me to share the UN’s vision for a digital future, as outlined in the policy briefs of the UN Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres for a global digital compact. The Global Digital Compact seeks to close digital divides, promote data governance, and ensure that emerging technologies like AI are used responsibly and ethically. The purpose of the Global Digital Compact (GDC) is to establish an inclusive global framework, essential for multi-stakeholder action required to overcome digital, data and innovation divides. The compact outlines principles, objectives and actions for advancing an open, free, secure and human-centered digital future for all, one that is anchored in universal human rights and that enables the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals.
10. In 2018, the UNSG established The High-level Panel on Digital Cooperation which submitted its final report in 2019 titled “The Age of Digital Interdependence” anchored on three core principles: connect, respect and protect.
11. Connect: We must achieve universal, safe, inclusive, and affordable access to the Internet for all by 2030. Overcoming the digital divide is key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
12. Respect: Human rights exist online as they do offline and need to be at the center of digital technology. Putting human rights and human agency at the center of everything is crucial in the digital space.
13. Protect: We must mitigate online harms and rising digital security threats, especially for the most vulnerable amongst us.
14. On 11 June 2020, the United Nations Secretary-General issued a Roadmap for Digital Cooperation which addresses how the international community can better harness the opportunities presented by digital technologies while addressing their challenges.

15. The roadmap builds on recommendations made by the High-level Panel on Digital Cooperation, and input from Member States, the private sector, civil society, the technical community and other stakeholder groups and calls on us all to:

    - Achieving universal, affordable, connectivity by 2030—everyone should have access to the internet.

    - Promoting digital public goods to create a more equitable world—the internet’s open source, public origins should be embraced and supported. 

    - Ensuring digital inclusion for all, including the most vulnerable—under-served groups need equal access to digital tools to accelerate developmental progress. 

    - Strengthening digital capacity building—skill development and training are needed around the world.

    - Ensuring the protection of human rights in the digital era—human rights apply both online and offline.

    - Supporting global cooperation on Artificial Intelligence that is trustworthy, human rights based, safe and sustainable and promotes peace.

    - Promoting digital trust and security—calling for a global dialogue to advance the Sustainable Development Goals.

    - Building a more effective architecture for digital cooperation—make digital governance a priority and focus the organization’s approach

16. Successfully navigating this digital ocean requires teamwork. Government counterparts, the private sector, development partners, civil society organizations, and academia all need to collaborate to create policies, regulations, and best practices that promote inclusivity, sustainability, and the ethical use of the Internet.
17. The convening of the Internet Governance Forum 2024 in Kigali exemplifies the kinds of cooperation required to realize the principles and aims of the global digital compact. We salute all the institutions and partners that have come together to make this conversation happen.

Honorable Minister, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

18. The United Nations in Rwanda remains committed to unwavering cooperation with the Government of Rwanda and partners in our shared quest to build a digital future that benefits all, Leaving no One Behind. I wish everyone fruitful deliberations. 

     

19. Thank you for your kind attention. Merci beacoup| Murakoze cyane