Like other planned meetings and summits, this year’s UN General Assembly was not spared disruption by the Covid-19 pandemic. The summit will go into history records as the first UNGA to be held virtually. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), is the main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ. This year the assembly will also mark 75 years of existence of the United Nations. This year, Heads of State and diplomats will not be taking the traditional marble podium but rather getting in front of screens of phones, computers and other gadgets to present speeches and viewpoints on some of the most pressing challenges. The internet will come to the salvation of the summit enabling deliberations and engagement despite the grounding of planes globally. This further makes a case for prioritization of access to the internet as was expressed last week during the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development co-chaired by President Paul Kagame. With increased internet access, participation and quality deliberations at the summit will remain guaranteed even for residents of the far-flung parts of the world. The silver lining in the new arrangement is that as a virtual summit, the assembly has a chance to increase appeal and interest of ordinary citizens most of who probably have limited interest in the summit. For a large portion of the United Nations’ existence, the body has often had challenges connecting to and with ordinary citizens across the world. While the United Nations is technically a representative organ of countries and citizens of the world, often at times it’s hard to feel that way. It has often been perceived as a foreign and distant body which a lucky few get to meet or be part of (literally and figuratively). In some instances, it’s been out of its choices and priorities and while others distance and lack of proximity have gotten in the way of familiarity. Virtual summit among other things will present a chance for more engagement, insight and collecting input from citizens of member countries. It would also help to include more viewpoints of those who have felt alienated in the past. There are everywhere including young people seeking involvement in the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals. Technology and gadgets enabling virtual summits are not a one way communication media, they transmit both ways, the UN could be better for putting its ear at the other end of the line, listening. Few would have afforded a ticket to New York to express their views, the internet can get them into the room, albeit virtually.
