First Meeting of the UN CSTD Multi-Stakeholder Working Group on Data Governance at All Levels
The United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) held the first meeting of its Multi-Stakeholder Working Group on Data Governance at All Levels on 1–2 May 2025. Established under UN General Assembly Resolution 79/1, the Working Group comprises 27 State members and 27 non-State members, bringing together a broad range of perspectives to advance inclusive and development-oriented approaches to data governance.
This inaugural meeting launched a series of sessions that will contribute to a progress report for the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in 2026.
Anita Gurumurthy, representing IT for Change, is a member of the Working Group and will participated in the deliberations.
Key Objectives of the Meeting:
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Define the Working Group’s agenda and methods of work
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Discuss tasks outlined in the Global Digital Compact
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Confirm the selection of vice-chairs representing governmental and non-governmental stakeholders
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Identify topics and set dates for upcoming meetings
The meeting was open to all members of the Working Group on Data Governance at All Levels. UN Member States not part of the group attended as observers. Representatives from academia, civil society, business, the technical community, and international organizations also joined the deliberations.
Participants who could not attend in person at the Palais des Nations in Geneva were able to follow the session remotely via Webex.
This first meeting marked a significant step in building a globally coordinated and participatory framework for data governance at all levels.