Internet

High-Level Panel on Digital Cooperation led by philanthropist Melinda Gates (left-center) and Alibaba founder Jack Ma (with microphone). January 2019.
UN Photo/Adam Kane

UN chief urges top digital tech panel to come up with ‘bold, innovative ideas’ for an 'inclusive' future

23 January 2019
Economic Development

Key discussions among global decision-makers and influencers have taken place at the UN in Geneva this week, aiming to limit the growing risk of international cyber-attacks while promoting the advantages of digital technology, amid a call by the UN chief for “bold, innovative ideas”.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres (r) addressing the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Paris, France, on 12 November 2018. With him on stage are President Emmanuel Macron of France (l) and UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay.
UNESCO/Christelle Alix

Marginalized voices must be ‘included and amplified’ in digital technology space: UN Chief

12 November 2018
Economic Development

New thinking is needed to better address deep gender gaps in access to digital technologies, seek out networks of the increasingly active elderly population, and support young people facing a rapidly transforming labour market, UN Secretary-General António Guterres told delegates on Monday, at the 2018 Internet Governance Forum (IGF), hosted in Paris by the UN Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Secretary General, António Guterres, at Web Summit in Lisbon, Portugal.
Screenshot

‘Warp speed’ technology must be ‘force for good’ UN chief tells web leaders

5 November 2018
Economic Development

Technological advances are happening “at a warp speed,” United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said on Monday in Lisbon, Portugal, as a major three-day Web Summit got underway.

Cosmas Zavazava, Chief of Department, Project Support and Knowledge Management, International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Photo
Daniel Woldu/ ITU

Least developed countries make progress in mobile internet access

24 January 2018
Interviews

A new report released on Wednesday by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), states that the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) are recording impressive progress towards increasing access

Audio -
9'41"
Photo of Apple’s iPhone. Source: Simone D. MaCourtie/World Bank

'No clear evidence' social media leads to more violent behavior, UN-backed study reports

29 December 2017
Violent extremists use the Internet to attract younger audiences, to disseminate content and to foster direct dialogue with young people, a United Nations agency-backed study found, but more research is needed to find out if social media has an effective role in radicalization.
Dr. Vinton Cerf, Chief Internet Evangelist at Google and one of the “founding fathers” of the Internet.
UN/Daniel Johnson

'Father of the Internet' offers reassurance to virtual world

21 December 2017
Interviews

People intent on causing harm to others by misusing the Internet are a modern-day threat that the global IT community is doing all it can to overcome, one of the web’s so-called “founding fathers” said on Thursday.

Audio -
3'38"
Participants during the 12th Annual Meeting of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF). 18 December 2017.
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

UN chief highlights need for Internet governance to support innovation, prevent criminal use

18 December 2017
Adequate governance is critical to realizing the vast promise of the Internet for a better world for all, Secretary-General António Guterres told the annual United Nations forum on Internet governance on Monday.
The Global E-wasteMonitor 2017.
Source: ITU

Electronic waste poses ‘growing risk’ to environment, human health, UN report warns

13 December 2017
The growing volume of electronic waste, including discarded products with a battery or plug, such as mobile phones, laptops, televisions, refrigerators and electrical toys, poses a major threat to the environment and human health, the United Nations warned on Wednesday.
A psychologist talks to a young woman victim of rape at the UNICEF supported 'Rodnik' shelter for child trafficking victims in the city of Almaty, Kazakhstan.
UNICEF/UN045589/Pirozzi

PODCAST: How the UN’s cybercrime unit is helping to track paedophiles and protect children

12 September 2017
Not everyone online is who they say they are. That is the message from the latest UN News podcast, The Lid is On.
Photo: Credit UNODC.
Credit UNODC.

In wake of ‘WannaCry’ attacks, UN cybersecurity expert discusses Internet safety

19 May 2017
A United Nations cybersecurity expert says that cybercrime is ultimately preventable, and that the internet – even the hidden so-called ‘dark net’ – has very good elements to it.