UN General Assembly
2024

Science and technology are critical to achieving the SDGs. Developing countries' lack of access to technology has hindered the implementation of sustainable development practices, thus perpetuating the cycle of poverty and inequality. Hence, there is need to bridge the gap in digital technologies including Artificial Intelligence, to promote efficiencies in health, climate, sustainable infrastructure, energy, agriculture and other global development priorities. In this regard, we call for enhanced international cooperation to support developing countries to integrate technology through capacity building, technology transfer on mutually agreed terms, information exchange and investments in research and development. Alongside the Pact of the Future, Member states adopted a Global Digital Compact. Zambia was honoured to partner with Sweden in leading negotiations of this historic document. The Compact at its core, is designed to close the digital gap, protect human rights online, respond to the rapidly advancing artificial intelligence and create a more inclusive governance framework on digital matters. It is also meant to accelerate efforts towards achieving SDGs. However, it can only deliver its potential if we step forward to implement its commitments.