March 27 – The Global Institute for Water, Environment and Health convened a high-level side event during the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, spotlighting digital innovation and South–South cooperation as key drivers of the Right to Development.
Held at the United Nations Office at Geneva, the forum brought together experts from international organisations, civil society, and academia to explore how emerging technologies can promote inclusive and equitable development.
Moderated by GIWEH Director General Nidal Salim, the discussion framed the Right to Development as a fundamental human right that must be participatory and inclusive. Speakers emphasised that technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing and blockchain are increasingly central to expanding access to services and achieving global development goals.
Ayman Okeil noted that digital public infrastructure could significantly boost economic growth in the Global South while expanding access to healthcare, education and economic opportunities. India’s digital systems were cited as a leading model, with platforms such as Aadhaar and the Unified Payments Interface enabling broad financial inclusion.
From a labour perspective, Moustapha Kamal Gueye of the International Labour Organization said investments in green and digital economies could create millions of jobs globally, but warned of widening inequalities without targeted policies, particularly affecting women and vulnerable groups.
The forum also raised concerns over data sovereignty, urging developing countries to strengthen local data infrastructure, adopt open-source systems, and implement robust privacy protections to safeguard citizens in the digital age.
Participants called for stronger global cooperation, including financing mechanisms, knowledge-sharing partnerships and inclusive labour policies, to ensure digital transformation supports equitable development.
The session concluded with a call for aligning technological advancement with ethical principles to ensure digital innovation translates into tangible benefits for communities across the Global South.
