The 50-in-5 campaign, a pioneering initiative to accelerate the deployment of digital public infrastructure (DPI) in 50 countries by 2028, marked a significant milestone today, welcoming new participating countries at an event held on the sidelines of the Summit of the Future. This gathering, which also celebrated the campaign’s near first anniversary, reinforced the campaign’s role in supporting the Global Digital Compact (GDC) and advancing inclusive and secure digital transformation worldwide.
At the heart of the 50-in-5 campaign is its mission to help countries design, implement, and scale critical DPI components as the backbone for equitable access to essential services. Since its launch in November 2023, the campaign has seen steady growth, with the recent announcement increasing the total number of participating countries to 22. New entrants, including Brazil, Cambodia, France, Nigeria, Ukraine, and Uruguay, joined the growing list of nations spanning diverse regions and income levels.
The event, held at Scandinavia House in New York City, brought together high-level representatives from participating countries and global leaders and stakeholders in the digital public goods (DPGs) and DPI community.
The discussions underscored how DPI, built on safe, inclusive, and interoperable principles, can drive sustainable development, social inclusion, and economic growth.
The 50-in-5 campaign not only facilitates the sharing of insights and best practices between countries but also serves as a platform for addressing key global challenges, such as poverty, inequality, and environmental sustainability. By leveraging open-source technologies and collaborating on DPGs, the campaign empowers countries to shorten their digital infrastructure implementation journeys, reducing costs and building local capacity in the process.
An essential aspect of the 50-in-5 initiative is its commitment to safeguarding digital rights through the Universal DPI Safeguards Framework. This framework ensures that DPI advancements respect human rights and protect the environment, a goal aligned with the GDC’s vision of digital inclusion.
“With a commitment to these safeguards among 50-in-5 countries, partners, and the broader DPI ecosystem, we can work together to ensure safe and inclusive societies for all,” said Robert Opp, Chief Digital Officer of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Brazil’s Minister of Management and Innovation in Public Services, H.E. Esther Dweck, expressed enthusiasm for her country’s participation, emphasizing the importance of international collaboration: “Brazil’s participation in international forums like this one transfers DPI domestically and abroad. This action forces transformative exchanges, connects countries, reduces costs, and promotes joint development.”
France’s Ambassador of Digital Affairs, H.E. Henri Verdier, echoed this sentiment, stating, “It’s a pleasure to join the 50-in-5 community and share the experience and learnings within this vibrant community. I deeply believe that we are speaking and we are building the future of the digital revolution.”
Looking ahead, the 50-in-5 campaign is poised to play a vital role in advancing the goals of the Global Digital Compact. This collaboration will continue at the upcoming Global DPI Summit in Cairo, Egypt, where stakeholders will come together to strategize and share experiences on advancing DPI adoption and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The campaign is supported by a range of global organizations, including UNDP, UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, USAID, and the Centre for Digital Public Infrastructure, all of whom are committed to the campaign’s mission of driving digital transformation for the benefit of people and the planet.
As the campaign looks towards its future goals, the 50-in-5 initiative serves as a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation in building a digital world that leaves no one behind.
