By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
Geneva Digital Week 2026 has
concluded with global technology leaders, policymakers, industry
representatives and development partners highlighting the need for stronger
collaboration on artificial intelligence governance, digital sustainability,
infrastructure resilience and efforts to close the global digital divide.
The five-day event brought
together more than 12,000 participants from 177 countries across three major
international gatherings — the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)
Forum, the Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance and the AI for
Good Global Summit.
Deputy Secretary-General of
the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Tomas Lamanauskas said the
discussions demonstrated the growing importance of ensuring that digital
transformation delivers sustainable and inclusive outcomes for societies worldwide.
One of the key issues
discussed during the week was the relationship between digital technologies and
environmental sustainability. Participants examined both the environmental
impact of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and data centres,
and the potential of digital solutions to support climate action.
Lamanauskas noted that data
centres consumed approximately 415 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2024, with
projections indicating that global consumption could rise significantly by
2030. At the same time, digital technologies were highlighted as having the
potential to contribute to reducing global emissions through more efficient
systems and climate-focused applications.
Artificial intelligence
governance also featured prominently during the events, with the inaugural
United Nations Global Dialogue on AI Governance convening stakeholders to
advance international cooperation on responsible AI development and deployment.
The dialogue was supported
by more than 1,500 written submissions, with hundreds of contributors calling
for continued engagement on global AI governance frameworks.
The week also marked the
conclusion of the International Advisory Body on Submarine Cable Resilience, a
two-year initiative led by the ITU and the International Cable Protection
Committee (ICPC) to strengthen the security and reliability of submarine cable
networks that support global connectivity.
Discussions focused on
protecting critical digital infrastructure from disruptions, improving
coordination and enhancing resilience against emerging risks.
Beyond technology
infrastructure and AI, Geneva Digital Week also addressed the digital
transformation of international organisations, including efforts to improve the
use of technology within the United Nations system.
Participants discussed
moving beyond isolated artificial intelligence projects towards shared digital
capabilities, improved coordination and more efficient use of technology
resources.
Lamanauskas said the most
significant outcome of the week was the level of cooperation among governments,
UN agencies, private sector organisations, civil society groups, academia and
young innovators.
Through initiatives such as
the ITU’s Partner2Connect Digital Coalition, more than 1,000 commitments from
around 500 organisations across 149 countries have been mobilised, representing
over $100 billion in pledges aimed at expanding digital access.
