Pretoria: The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande, met with Mandeep Gill, the Undersecretary and Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for Digital and Emerging Technologies, on Wednesday. The meeting primarily focused on South Africa’s role in implementing the UN’s Global Digital Compact (GDC) and the opportunities this presents for developing the country’s digital economy.
According to South African Government News Agency, the GDC forms part of the UN’s Pact for the Future, which was adopted during the Summit of the Future in 2024. The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) explained that this compact was a comprehensive framework for global digital cooperation and governance, particularly regarding artificial intelligence. Its primary objective is to harness the potential of digital technology for the benefit of humanity while also addressing the challenges and risks associated with it.
During the meeting with Gill, Nzimande stressed the importance of digital and emerging technologies. He highlighted South Africa’s position as one of the African countries with the largest public science systems and recognized the importance of developing capabilities in digital and emerging technologies. Nzimande pointed out the potential of these technologies to help address challenges such as inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, pandemics, and transnational conflict.
Nzimande also emphasized the need for a stronger and consistent commitment to international collaboration, the free exchange of scientific knowledge, and multilateralism. He believes that these elements present a better chance at a sustainable future for humanity, with meaningful partnerships and the development of capabilities in the digital economy being strategic pillars of South Africa’s Decadal Plan for Science, Technology, and Innovation.
Outlining the potential benefits for South Africa’s participation in the GDC, Nzimande stated that it presents unique opportunities to address national priorities and position the country as a leader in regional digital transformation. He mentioned areas such as infrastructure development, digital skills enhancement, digital entrepreneurship and innovation support, digital inclusion, data governance and privacy, and human rights protection as key focus areas.
Nzimande used the meeting to update Gill on the department’s artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives, including the Foundation Digital Capabilities Research (FDCR). Among these initiatives is the Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research (CAIR) and the South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChi), which includes Research Chairs in information and communication technology (ICT) development, with specific focus on AI. All the DSTI’s AI and digital economy initiatives aim to support the objectives of South Africa’s Digital Economy Masterplan, overseen by the Department of Communication and Digital Technologies.