This highlights the growing need not only to expand access to digital tools, but to create the right ecosystems where innovation can take root locally, whether through city-level pilot projects, community-driven solutions, or support for early-stage enterprises and entrepreneurs.  

It also highlights the vital role of the private sector—not only as a source of innovation, but as a key partner in delivering scalable, context-specific solutions that respond to real development needs.  

By convening industry, government, and development actors, today’s forum offers a platform to build exactly the kind of multi-stakeholder collaboration the Compact envisions to advance the sustainable development agenda.

At UNDP together with our sister UN agencies and development partners, we have long worked at the intersection of digital innovation and sustainable development—supporting efforts ranging from inclusive digital policies to digital public infrastructure, from smart city diagnostics to responsible data governance.

Today, I am proud to announce that we will officially sign the UNDP Demonstration Project on Digital-Friendly and Digital Economy for Sustainable Development in Beijing , together with our project partners: Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology, the People’s Government of Daxing District, and the China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges (CICETE).

This project aims to support city-level efforts to apply digital technologies in ways that enhance public service delivery, promote inclusive innovation, and accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals in Beijing,with lessons shared with other cities in China.  

Just as importantly, it will contribute to global knowledge-sharing— connecting local practice with international dialogue on what works and lessons learned.

One key area that requires an increasing area of exchange in designing and implementing  digital solutions, is our collective commitment to the universal adoption of digital safeguards to build safe and inclusive digital public infrastructure that benefits all.

To that end, our joint initiative here in Beijing is a step toward contributing to the vision set out in the United Nations Global Digital Compact—and reflects our shared commitment to building a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable digital future – while leaving no one behind.

In closing, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology and the Daxing District Government—not only as core project partners, but also as organizers of today’s forum.  

Your leadership and dedication have made this dialogue and collaboration possible.

I look forward to the ideas and insights that will emerge here today, and to continuing our work together to ensure the digital economy leaves no one behind.

Thank you.