Regional UN Webinar on Digitalization of Public Services and Digital Public Infrastructure - Highlights
As part of its ongoing mandate to support digital collaboration across the UN system, the UN Digital Transformation Group for Europe and Central Asia continued its regional webinar series with a session on Digitalization of Public Services and Digital Public Infrastructure. This session, held on 14 May, coincided with the lead-up to World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, marked annually on 17 May. The webinar series, launched in December 2024, aims to inform and support UN Resident Coordinators and UN Country Teams in this regions in navigating key digital transformation themes.
With over 50 participants in attendance, the session featured contributions from ITU and its GovStack approach, highlighting the importance of interoperable digital systems to accelerate inclusive and sustainable service delivery. Members of the UN Digital Transformation Group—including regional representatives of FAO, UNDP, UNICEF, WHO, and WMO—presented how their respective organizations support Member States in developing and scaling digital public infrastructure.
Natalia Berghi, speaking on behalf of the World Meteorological Organization Regional Office for Europe, underlined WMO’s support to UN Resident Coordinators and Country Teams through the integration of weather, climate, and water services into national digital agendas.
She congratulated ITU and all partners on the occasion of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, observed on 17 May, noting that this year’s theme highlights the importance of digital innovation for sustainable development - a goal shared deeply at WMO. "Our work to modernize weather, climate, and water services through digital public infrastructure is very much part of that collective mission. Congratulations again to ITU for its leadership and vision.", she added.
Mrs Berghi shared a few examples of WMO’s contribution to digital transformation, including initiatives such as WIS 2.0, OSCAR, and HydroSOS, along with capacity-building tools like the WMO Global Campus and e-learning platform. These reflect broader efforts to strengthen digital public infrastructure and services that support early warning, climate adaptation, and disaster risk management.
She also emphasized the institutional and technical challenges faced by National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and reaffirmed WMO Regional Office commitment to working with UN Country Teams to build inclusive, climate-resilient digital public services.
The event marked a significant step in advancing joint UN action on digital transformation and reinforced the value of coordinated support to countries across the Europe and Central Asia region.
You can access the Webinar recording here. For more information on the Group’s initiatives and future events, visit the Group sites: UN Digital Transformation Group for Europe and Central Asia and UN Digital Transformation Group for Europe and Central Asia | UNECE