WFWPI's HLPF 2023 Side Event
Written by: Christine Rose Bulayo
This year marks the midway point of the UN 2030 Agenda. From July 10-19, world leaders gathered at the United Nations in New York for the 2023 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). It was held under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council. The theme was “Accelerating the recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels.”
On July 18th, WFWPI hosted a hybrid side event at the NYCE Social Hall in New York City. Ms. Merly Barlaan, Director of WFWPI’s Office for UN Relations in New York, opened the event with a roundtable discussion on the topic, “Integration and Impact of Digital Technology in developing countries in the context of the Right to Development.” The discussion aimed to explore solutions to the challenges faced by developing countries in effectively utilizing digital technology to build sustainable cities and communities, ensuring that digital technology reaches its full potential for the good of humanity while preventing and mitigating all its destructive potentials.
Ms. Srruthi Lekha, UN Representative of WFWPI moderated the expert roundtable discussion.
Dr. Rior Santos, the Regional Project Manager of the SDG Fund for Digital Transformation in Micronesia for the United Nations Office for Projects and Services (UNOPS), highlighted digital initiatives that had already demonstrated positive impacts on education, healthcare and environmental conservation in the region, stressing the importance of collaboration and partnerships as essential drivers of successful implementation.
Dr. Frank Kaufmann, President of the Twelve Gates Foundation, touched upon ethical considerations related to digital technology, such as data privacy, digital rights and inclusivity.
Ms. Priscilla Garces, Founder of Always Forward, emphasized the importance of accessibility in digital solutions and called for collaborative efforts among disability advocates, technology developers and policymakers to ensure inclusivity.
Mr. Rodrigo Tello, a Fintech consultant from Mexico, explored the transformative potential of financial technology in promoting financial inclusion and economic development in developing countries.
Ms. Arshia Dutta, a young programmer from India, presented a project that promotes circular fashion, called Fashion-scious, a mobile APP that she personally developed addressing problems such as the footprints of pollution left behind by the fast fashion industry.
The second part of the event was an SDG Exhibit. It provided a platform for exhibitors from 10 civil society organizations to showcase their projects. The side event left a positive and lasting impact, fostering a sense of community and commitment, and forging collaboration and partnerships to achieve the UN SDGs by 2030.
