Speech by UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan at the Opening of the “Paperless Government: Environmental Impact of Digitalization and Innovation” event

Good morning, and thank you for joining us at today’s event, “Paperless Government: Environmental Impact of Digitalization and Innovation.”  

This event reflects Azerbaijan’s commitment to addressing the urgent challenges posed by climate change through harnessing the power of digitalization and innovation.

As Azerbaijan prepares to host COP29 in 67 days’ time, today’s event provides an opportunity to discuss how digital transformation can accelerate climate actions and progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  

In this context, it is worth highlighting that one of the COP29 Presidency Initiatives – with support from the UN led by ITU - is the Digital Action Path 4 Green World, which seeks to accelerate the green transition through digitalization and the reduction of GHG emissions in the ICT sector.

The environmental footprint of paper usage is significant, contributing to deforestation, excessive water use, and greenhouse gas emissions.  

By transitioning to digital solutions, we can substantially reduce these impacts.  

A paperless government is not just about saving trees: it’s about conserving resources, lowering carbon emissions, and promoting responsible consumption patterns across all levels of public administration, directly supporting the Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 13 - Climate Action, and SDG 15 - Life on Land.  

By significantly reducing our reliance on paper, we are not only minimizing waste but also fostering a culture of responsible consumption and production within public sector operations.  This shift towards digital governance helps lower carbon emissions, contributing to our broader climate action efforts. 

In addition, reducing the demand for paper plays an important role in protecting our forests and preserving biodiversity, highlighting our commitment to safeguarding natural ecosystems and life on land.

Beyond climate action, digital transformation also brings substantial benefits to public sector operations, making them more efficient, transparent, and responsive.  Digital records simplify processes, improve data management, and enhance public service delivery.  The cost savings from reduced paper, printing, and storage needs can be reinvested in other critical areas, amplifying our progress towards sustainable development.

Adoption of digital tools also paves the way for integrating advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain, and cloud computing.  

These innovations offer transformative potential, making governance more adaptable and resilient to future challenges.  They empower governments to respond swiftly to the citizens’ needs and ensure that their systems are robust enough to support sustainable growth.

Although digitalization and technology can act as powerful drivers of climate action and sustainable development at large, we must not lose sight of some of the risks associated with an unregulated use of digitalization and advanced technologies such as AI.  These include the spread of misinformation, loss of data privacy, surveillance, online hate speech as well as various environmental risks related to pollution and overconsumption of natural resources.  

Instead, we must strive to address and mitigate those risks while advocating for an inclusive AI/digital governance with universal safety nets.  

Later this month, the world leaders will gather in New York for the Summit of the Future. One of the outcomes of the Summit will be the adoption of a Global Digital Compact to help overcome digital divides and secure an open, free and safe digital future for all.  The implementation of the Global Digital Compact will be an opportune platform to build the foundation of safe and inclusive digital/AI governance.

The shift to a paperless and safe digital future is not just a technological upgrade - it is about how we leverage technology to address the complex environmental and socio-economic challenges of our time in a secure and inclusive manner. 

It is about protecting our planet, driving sustainable development, and ensuring a brighter future for all.  

To harness such opportunities while also addressing the risks, it is important that all stakeholders - from the public, private and civil society sectors – work together to develop policies, strengthen capacities and make the necessary investments for an inclusive and safe digital transformation in Azerbaijan. 

We look forward to continuing to support Azerbaijan’s journey toward a paperless, climate-smart, and safe digital future for all.

I thank you!