Action, agency and shared responsibility place everyone at the centre of digital transformation
New York, 22 September 2026
Digital@UNGA — a leading multistakeholder platform for digital cooperation and innovation that opens annually during the United Nations General Assembly — is calling on every sector and every person to act now to shape a more inclusive digital future.
Organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Digital@UNGA includes an Anchor Event at UN headquarters and the Digital@UNGA Affiliates Program, independently organized, partner-led events with a shared commitment to building a more inclusive, trusted, and people-centred world – a “Digit'all Future."
Monday's Anchor Event featured Her Majesty Mathilde Queen of the Belgians, ministers, civil society and corporate leaders. Presenters and performers also included Hollywood actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Big Ocean, K-pop's first hearing impaired group, who use assistive tools, technology and their own voices. The diverse lineup of speakers embodied the same principle championed by the platform: that everyone should play a role in shaping the digital future.
“Our shared digital future is being built right now, with AI accelerating the pace of change. Our task is to ensure that more voices help shape it," said Doreen Bogdan-Martin, ITU Secretary-General. “Digital@UNGA spotlights the partners turning innovation and inclusion into action, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to build and benefit from technology."
Digital initiatives shaping the future
Across three Digit'all journeys, Digital@UNGA participants focus on moving from ideas to action through innovation that solves real problems, inclusion that gives people the agency to participate and contribute, and cooperation that builds the shared capabilities needed to shape the digital future together.
At the Anchor Event, the Digital@UNGA Awards recognized digital initiatives, policies, partners and leaders advancing inclusive, responsible, and people-centred technology across four categories: digital frontiers, digital inclusion, digital government and digital pioneers.
The event also marked the transformation of the ITU Gender Champions Programme, supported by Australia and Women's Worldwide Web (W4), from a pilot programme into a global movement of young leaders advancing gender equality in the digital age.
As part of ITU's AI for Good platform to unlock AI's potential to serve humanity, ITU and Google announced a commitment to provide 100,000 scholarships for online certificates through the AI for Good Skills Coalition. The certificates will be delivered in support of the ITU-UNICEF Giga initiative in coordination with national governments.
Digit'all brings inclusive digital transformation around the world
As part of the Affiliates Programme, participants marked the 10th anniversary of the EQUALS Global Partnership for Gender Equality in the Digital Age, which aims to empower 100 million women and girls to become active contributors to the digital economy within the next decade.
Overall, more than 100 affiliate sessions will take place across New York and around the world to address topics ranging from AI in education to digital government initiatives with in-person and online events through November.
Digital@UNGA activities are made possible by GSMA, Novartis Foundation and TikTok as Lead Supporters, and with the support of Amazon, e&, Google, IDB, Meta, Microsoft, Vodaphone and ZTE as Partner2Connect Champions.
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Editor's notes: Learn more about Digital@UNGA 2026 events here.
About ITU:
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations agency for digital technologies, driving innovation for people and the planet with 194 Member States and a membership of over 1,000 companies, universities, civil society, and international and regional organizations. Established in 1865, ITU coordinates the global use of the radio spectrum and satellite orbits, establishes international technology standards, drives universal connectivity and digital services, and is helping to make sure everyone benefits from sustainable digital transformation, including the most remote communities. From artificial intelligence (AI) to quantum, from satellites and submarine cables to advanced mobile and wireless broadband networks, ITU is committed to connecting the world and beyond. Learn more: www.itu.int
