I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the EU and its Member States.

The potential of universal digital connectivity to accelerate progress towards the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs is enormous. We have to get it right to make this happen. Digital connectivity is essential for working, learning, health and accessing basic services. Yet some 2.7 billion people still lack Internet access. Our aim should be accessible, affordable, high quality access to the open internet, via trusted networks, for everyone.

Affordable access is not enough – we also need trust. Citizens need to know that their online data remains private and secure. That their right to privacy is preserved. Only then, will they trust and use these technologies.

The EU adopted last December a Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles for the Digital Decade. This human centric approach gives us the direction of travel for the digital transformation, where universal connectivity and digital skills are high on the agenda.  No one should be left behind.

We work with partner countries around the world, in cooperation with the UN to close the digital divides. We see the Global Digital Compact as an opportunity to move towards human-centric, high-quality universal connectivity. Not only ‘connecting the unconnected’, but ‘connecting everyone meaningfully’. We need to move beyond a narrow focus on infrastructure – Which cable? Which data center? - to enabling meaningful connectivity. Enablers include quality, affordability, skills, access to devices and trust. They pave the way to the digital transformation that we need. In which the human being, her rights, responsibilities, expectations and potential are at the center. We need global collaboration using the capacities of all stakeholders to create more value, efficiency and better results.

In the European Declaration, we have set out concrete targets within the EU through the Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030. These are mirrored in our investments around the world. Global Gateway investments aim for quality infrastructure that is secure and sustainable.

Global Gateway partnerships will contribute to deploying digital networks and infrastructures. We prioritize underserved regions, countries and populations. New infrastructure is an opportunity to develop healthy ecosystems of start-ups, e-government and the type of vibrant digital economies we see thriving from Nigeria to Nepal, with data protection frameworks and support for innovation.

Hard infrastructure is not enough. A modern regulatory framework is another driver of success. Elements of the EU regulatory framework have been adopted in other parts of the world committed to a human-centric and human rights-based digital and green transformation. For example, the EU’s PRIDA programme helps develop regional roaming agreements throughout Africa, and we support cyber-security capability around the world.

We also need soft infrastructure for inclusion. This is Digital Public Infrastructure. DPI is essential for individuals to access public and private digital services. For example, World Bank data shows that lack of identification was a key barrier to opening a bank account. Making payment systems interoperable increases access to affordable digital financial services.

In order to monitor progress the EU is working with the ITU on Universal Meaningful Connectivity Indicators that allow for the promotion of regulatory convergence and harmonization of digital policies worldwide. We develop global data collection, analysis & reporting, and indicators and policy analysis for a safer, more equitable digital world. It is crucial that the Global Digital Compact establishes baselines, targets and indicators for Universal Meaningful Connectivity.

Ladies and gentlemen, the digital transition cannot come at the expense of the green transition. The EU will support efforts to minimize the environmental footprint of the transformation.  It must be supported by sufficient clean energy. We will promote green data centers and the deployment of submarine telecom cables  equipped with ocean monitoring sensors. These will not only serve the connectivity, but also support scientific research for environmental sustainability and mitigation of the impact of natural disasters. The importance of resilience of these networks goes without saying.

Digital skills are often a barrier. All persons – regardless of age, gender, social status or physical condition - should be able to acquire basic and advanced digital skills, including media and data literacy. The spread of mis- and disinformation are among the challenges. Connecting people to internet should go hand-in-hand with the necessary digital skills. The digital inclusion of women and girls, especially, has to be accelerated. We must also prevent and counter threats, such as online violence and harassment. Cybersecurity awareness and hygiene underpin the digital transformation of everyday activities.

In conclusion, the EU is committed to investing in the digital transformation to promote sustainable development and protect human rights, gender-equality, democracy and the rule of law worldwide. We will continue our support and look forward to working with partners on this transformation.