Summit of the Future 2024 and Bangladesh Consultation of The Global Digital Compact was held on Wednesday in a hotel in Dhaka. Aiming at an open, seamless and secure digital future for all, this multi-stakeholder gathering held three sessions with two agendas.
In the first phase organized by Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum-BIGF and Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication, the speakers discussed the report published by the United Nations on the global impact of the digital world. In the second part, the Summit of the Future 2024 was discussed that Bangladesh will participate in the conference to be held at the United Nations headquarters in New York from September 22 to 23 this year on the topic of discussion and the closing session highlighted the guidelines for free access and accessibility in the digital world and the creation of secure circles.
Hasanul Haque Inu was the chief guest at the event moderated by BIGF General Secretary Abdul Haque. Also, UN Resident Coordinator Lewis Barber, UNDP Resident Representative Stephen Liler, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) Director General Brigadier General Mohammad Khalil-ur-Rahman, a2i Policy Adviser Anir Chowdhury and others participated in the discussion.
It is reported that BIGF has already been officially recognized by the Department of Posts and Telecommunications, the Department of Information and Communication Technology and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for consultation in the light of the agenda announced by the United Nations to consolidate Bangladesh’s position in the digital world. In addition, a2i has officially signed a memorandum of understanding with the organization on behalf of the Information and Communication Technology Department. Later, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission is in the process of signing another MoU with the approval of the Department of Posts and Telecommunications. Meanwhile, BNNRC and BIGF jointly organized 10 consultations on Summit of the Future 2024 and Global Digital Compact at various times. More than five hundred partakers participated in the consultation meetings. The first consultation was held on September 25 last year with 40 members of parliament and stakeholders, with the support of UNDP Bangladesh, aimed at involving parliamentarians under the leadership of the Speaker of the National Parliament, Dr. Shireen Sharmin.