HDRI attended the Tech Diplomacy Global Forum at UNESCO in Paris

Last week, HDRI attended the Tech Diplomacy Global Forum at UNESCO in Paris, a timely and insightful event bringing together diplomats, UN officials, and representatives from industry and civil society to reflect on the evolving role of cyber diplomacy and tech ambassadorship.

It was particularly interesting to hear how different speakers framed the growing importance of tech diplomacy as a field that sits at the intersection of foreign policy, digital governance, and international cooperation.

A recurring theme throughout the discussions was the value of inclusive, multi-stakeholder approaches to AI and technology governance. Several speakers shared examples of how civil society has already contributed meaningfully to the development of shared standards and governance frameworks, helping ensure that these discussions reflect a broad range of perspectives and real social needs.

At HDRI, we strongly believe that civil society should be part of these conversations from the outset. Standards and rules that shape the digital environment should be informed by the full range of stakeholders, including institutions, experts, civil society, and the private sector, so that they are both effective and broadly grounded in the public interest.