High-level opening session of Green Digital Action held
On 14 November, a high-level opening session of the Green Digital Action track was held as part of COP29 to strengthen cooperation on sustainable development in the digital technology industry.
The session was organized by the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport (MDDT), the COP29 Presidency, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the UN Digital Technology Agency.
“The Digital Green Initiative sets a shining example of how industry can lead the transition to green technology and build resilience to climate change,” said Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union, adding “the Declaration on Green Digital Action, which will appear after Digitalization Day, shows us the way forward. What we need right now is environmentally friendly digitalization, managed with purpose and equal responsibility.”
Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev stressed the need for a balanced approach that prioritizes sustainable infrastructure and environmental impact to fully exploit the potential of digitalization, which is a powerful tool in the fight against climate change: “We can achieve the speed, accuracy and flexibility needed to ensure a sustainable future only through digitalization.”
Discussions highlighted the need to reduce emissions in the technology sector and the role of technology in environmental solutions.
The session continued with thematic discussions on digitalization and climate change, demonstrating successful cooperation. Thus, the main results and progress of the multi-stakeholder Green Digital Action during the year were highlighted.
Speakers said that the session was the start of a dynamic program highlighting the important role that digital solutions can play in addressing environmental challenges and building a sustainable future for all. Thus, the Green Digital Action track at COP29 is designed to encourage active participation, meaningful dialogue and spark innovative ideas in collaborative action to combat climate change.
It was noted that a series of discussions and workshops will focus on the importance of sustainability standards, the path to a net-zero emission ICT sector, combating climate change and the use of artificial intelligence for early warning systems.
It should be noted that the Green Digital Action Initiative is one of 14 global initiatives included in the COP29 Presidency’s Action Agenda. This initiative is not a one-off event, but a call to build sustainable momentum, ensuring that innovation and digitalization based on sustainable development will remain a priority in future COPs.
The final event of the initiative within COP29, a high-level roundtable on Green Digital Action, will be held on the first Digitalization Day, November 16 during COP29.
The event will bring together public and private sector representatives from several countries around the world, as well as the world’s leading ICT partners.
The roundtable will discuss several critical topics, including integrating digital innovation into climate strategies, improving climate monitoring through digital tools, promoting digital inclusion and reducing the environmental impact of digital technologies.
The roundtable is expected to result in an outcome document, the Declaration on Green Digital Action, with the participation of all stakeholders for a sustainable and green world.
The Declaration on Green Digital Action is an important step towards promoting sustainable and inclusive practices, while recognizing the potential of digital technologies to combat climate change.
