GovStack

Over the past years, digital public infrastructure (DPI) and digital public goods (DPGs) have merged as mechanisms for building open, inclusive, secure and resilient digital societies. DPI from connectivity to legal framework can provide a supportive environment for the proliferation of DPGs like data sharing, identification, registries, and many others. As more countries build their DPIs and make their DPGs available for others for re-use, there is an opportunity to shorten digital transformation curve by sharing, learning, and by aligning future plans and investments. Several initiatives have merged around the globe to promote and support DPI/DPGs: Digital Commons in Europe, UN Digital Public Goods Alliance, GovStack Initiative, Nordic Institute for Interperability Solutions, etc.

However, many governments continue to struggle to realize the benefits of these digital advances, grappling with the lack of resources and skills or with the traditional administrative processes, for example, with procurement processes. These legacy processes often result in inefficiencies and lack of flexibility.

About GovStack

GovStack is a multi-stakeholder initiative established in 2020 between Estonia, Germany, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Digital Impact Alliance (DIAL) at the United Nations Foundation. The Initiative supports the development of open and open-source based digital societies, following a building-blocks based approach.

GovStack is a partner to several international initiatives, including the United Nations’ DPGA, the EU’s D4D Hub project, but also collaborating with multiple countries, e.g. India, Egypt, Ukraine, Rwanda, and many others.

About our panels

Setting the scene: by Nele Leosk, Ambassador-at-Large for Digital Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
Opening note: Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary General, The International Telecommunication UnionGlobal momentum for DPI and DPG in digital cooperation
There is a growing worldwide interest in digital public infrastructure and digital public goods movement. Several initiatives, such as the Digital Public Good Alliance, have been launched, and discussions are taking place at international forums such as the G20. In the meantime, the European Union actively promotes digital transformation and digital commons, focusing on interoperability, privacy, and digital rights. Where is this all leading and what role can GovStack play in this? This segment will delve into GovS tack’s role in the global DPI and DPG movement, its alignment with main DPI/DPG initiatives and its role in global digital cooperation.The Future of Procurement and GovStack
Many governments are developing digital transformation strategies and laying the groundwork for new horizons. All seems well until the solution is presented for procurement. Governments are still navigating the transition from traditional waterfall-type procurement approaches, which frequently result in inefficiency and a lack of flexibility, to new ways of purchasing. This panel discussion will look at emerging procurement trends and compare agile, waterfall, and product-centric approaches, as well as how GovStack can shape the two-sided market for public sector procurement.
Moderator: Yolanda Martinez, GovStack Initiative Lead, The International Telecommunication UnionThe opportunities and limitations of DPG implementation. Country experiences
Governments all around the world are working on digital transformation and implementing various approaches such as whole-of-government, building blocks architecture and DPGs. While each country may have its own unique experiences and practices, the importance of collaboration across domains and data interoperability cannot be overstated. The panel will discuss real-world examples where GovStack building block-like solutions have made a profound impact and the lessons learned from them.
Moderator: Chrissy Martin Meier, Director, Digital Public Goods Charter