AI as a game changer
About the Event
This side event will serve as one of the closing sessions of the Digital Cooperation Day organized by the Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies (ODET), highlighting how innovative AI solutions from the private sector can expand inclusion and access to the digital economy, transform industries, and help bridge the global digital divide. It will also present collective contributions to Objective 2 of the Global Digital Compact (GDC) on an inclusive digital economy, including the announcement of the winners of the Global Call for Solutions.
The event will showcase the impact of public–private partnerships in emerging technologies, highlighting innovative lighthouse solutions and partnership initiatives, like the UNIDO ONE World Sustainability Award, and the technology hubs approach. By leveraging AI, innovation, and digital technologies, these initiatives aim to foster global cooperation and advance an inclusive digital economy. The event will also reaffirm industry partners’ shared commitment to driving industrial and economic transformation, ensuring that no one is left behind.
Key Outcomes
Accelerated Digital Economic Inclusion Through AI Innovation: Showcase proven AI- driven solutions that expand access to the digital economy for underserved communities globally, demonstrating how technology can bridge the digital divide and create opportunities for all.
Strengthened Public-Private Partnerships for Digital Transformation: Demonstrate new collaborative frameworks between international organizations, governments, and leading technology companies to scale innovative digital solutions and drive sustainable economic transformation across industries.
Global Commitment to Inclusive Digital Economy: Generate concrete commitments and actionable solutions from multi-stakeholder partners to implement the Global Digital Compact's vision of ensuring no one is left behind in the digital revolution, with measurable impact across member states.
Tentative Program
16:30 – 16:55 PM | Opening Segment
- Mr. Gerd Müller, Director General, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
- H.E. Eng. Sami Muqeem, Vice President of Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA)
- Mr. Andre Bechtold, President, SAP Industries & Experiences
- Mr. Pedro Manuel Moreno, Deputy Secretary-General, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
16:55 – 17:35 PM | Global AI Leaders Spotlight
Moderator Mr. Jason Slater, Chief AI, Innovation and Digital Economy Officer, UNIDO
- Ms. Naria Santa Lucia, General Manager Microsoft Elevate, Microsoft
- Mr. Jonah Smith, Vice President and Global Head of ESG, IBM
- Ms. Celina Lee, CEO & Founder, Zindi
- Mr. Tahar Kerkeni, Lead Lighthouse Operating System, World Economic Forum
- Mr. Raed Aljadaani, VP of Technology, Saudi Data & AI Authority
- Mr. Dion Harris, Sr. Director HPC, Cloud & AI Infrastructure Solutions GTM, NVIDIA
17:35 – 17:45 PM | Announcement of UNIDO Foundation & Private Sector Commitments
- Video announcement and signing of Joint Declaration on UNIDO Foundation with Mr. Scott Jackson, CEO, Global Impact
- Signing of Joint Declaration between UNIDO and Deloitte
17:45 – 17:55 PM | Award Ceremony - Solutions for an Inclusive Digital Economy
17:55 – 18:00 PM | Closing remarks
- Mr. Amandeep Singh Gill, Under-Secretary-General and Special Envoy for Digital and Emerging Technologies
18:00 – 20:00 PM | Joint Reception of Digital Cooperation Day, with food and beverages