Ethereum Climate Platform launched at COP27
A recently launched Ethereum Climate Platform aims to offset Ethereum’s historic carbon footprint by incentivising and funding green projects to combat climate change.
U.S. Department of Commerce appoints members for new IoT Advisory Board
U.S. Department of Commerce appoints 16 experts to advise the IoT Federal Working Group on IoT development policies, benefits for the U.S., small businesses, and international opportunities.
Civil society organisations urge EU not to delay development of a Council of Europe Treaty on AI
A coalition of eight civil society organisations has issued a joint statement in response to EU member states' actions at the second plenary meeting of the Council of Europe's Committee on AI.
NATO establishes review board to govern responsible use of AI
NATO establishes a Review Board to govern responsible use of AI and data, decided during the meeting of Defense Ministers in Brussels. The board will develop certification standards aligning with NATO's Principles of Responsible Use, fostering quality controls, risk mitigation, and trustworthy AI systems. Each member state will appoint a national nominee from various sectors to serve on the board.
The second Summit for Information and Democracy will be held on the sidelines of the UNGA
The Second Summit of the Partnership for Information and Democracy will be held on September 22, 2022, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. It is currently supported by 45 countries and serves as a framework for multilateral reflection on the implementation of democratic guarantees in the global communication and information space. The Summit aims for better coordination in creating a safe democratic digital space.
Results of the accreditation of stakeholders to the OEWG 2021-2025 raises concerns
Accreditation results of stakeholders for the OEWG 2021-2025 raise concerns, with only 54 out of 86 entities approved to participate. Vetoed organizations include notable names such as Microsoft and the World Economic Forum, prompting 28 organizations to pen a letter urging the Chair to reconsider the decision and allow broader multistakeholder involvement in the process.
Global Hub launched to eradicate women’s digital financial exclusion and accelerate women’s business ownership
A new Global Hub has been established by Womens World Banking and Capital Development Fund to address women's digital financial exclusion and boost women's entrepreneurship worldwide, particularly in developing nations. The initiative involves local coalitions in Indonesia and Ethiopia, along with a global component, to advocate for women's financial inclusion issues. The goal is to bridge the gender gap in digital technology access and financial products for female entrepreneurs. With 750 million women currently excluded from the formal financial system, this collaboration aims to unlock their potential by providing equal opportunities through technology and financial services.
Freedom of expression in India under threat
In India, the arrest of Muhammed Zubair, a fact-checking website co-founder, over a satirical tweet mocking a Hindu god has sparked concerns over freedom of expression. The arrest is seen as a troubling development, with associations made to growing intolerance under the current right-wing government, despite recent pledges at the G7 summit to protect freedom of expression.
Civil society groups call on MEPs to ban biometric mass surveillance
Civil society groups are urging MEPs to ban biometric mass surveillance, specifically remote use of identification systems like facial recognition in public spaces. The focus is on preventing mass surveillance and protecting against discriminatory or manipulative practices related to biometric categorization and emotion recognition.
African Union and European Union step up digital cooperation for sustainable development in Africa following EU-AU Summit
During the first Africa-Europe Digital for Development (D4D) Hub Multi-Stakeholder Forum that took place on 18 March 2022, representatives from the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU) underscored digital cooperation as a cornerstone of the AU-EU strategic partnership. The forum, which was convened under the theme ‘Digital Transformation for Sustainable Development in Africa,’ [...]
