At the recent Summit of the Future in New York, 193 Member States adopted the Global Digital Compact (GDC), a comprehensive framework affirming governments' commitment to creating a safe, inclusive, and people-centred digital environment. The Compact highlights the importance of digital public infrastructure (DPI) in closing connectivity and data gaps, supporting the development of an inclusive digital ecosystem that respects human rights. Through this multilateral cooperation framework, the GDC signals a pivotal shift in the global approach to technology, presenting countries like Uruguay—known for its digital advancements—with a unique opportunity to collaborate and shape a shared digital future. 

Unlocking society-wide benefits through digitalization

Uruguay is a pioneer in digitalization with a forward-thinking approach. From developing AI-powered solutions to implementing robust DPI, quality data is the lifeline of these resources. Data exchange is in fact one of the key components of any effective DPI, which can be leveraged at scale for more informed decision-making and more responsive public service delivery. 

The country’s commitment to digital advancement is exemplified by its Interoperability Platform, which connects more than 200 consumer organizations, offers nearly 300 services, and processes more than eight million daily transactions. This platform enables the integration of various state services, accelerating the development of efficient digital tools. A notable example is its impact on healthcare digitalization, where it ensures secure and timely access to patients' medical records, regardless of the service provider.

Uruguay’s digital healthcare system highlights the transformative potential of DPI. With over 212 million clinical documents, 160 million consultations, and more than 4.6 million documents exchanged, the system has significantly enhanced patient access to services and strengthened data security. These achievements reflect Uruguay’s leadership in leveraging technology for the public good.

Other impactful examples of Uruguay’s digitalization initiatives include:

• National Livestock Information System (SNIG): provides full traceability of livestock, ensuring regulatory compliance and enhancing sector oversight.
• Spatial Data Infrastructure (IDE): facilitates the coordination and accessibility of geographic data through a public geoportal, promoting transparency and informed decision-making.
• National Electronic Certification ensures reliable digital signatures, strengthening trust in digital transactions.
• Uruguay’s Digital Identity Platform: provides a critical foundation for secure and efficient digital processes in both the public and private sectors, fostering inclusion and accessibility in digital services.

Embedding universal safeguards focused on people

DPI provides an essential foundation for digital transformation, while AI is a transformative force that can enhance and refine the services built on this infrastructure. Uruguay’s national artificial intelligence (AI) strategy recognizes the critical importance of this intersection, whereby principles of universal DPI safeguards are embedded in it to mitigate risks and ensure that people and their rights are protected at every stage of the digital transformation journey. Uruguay has taken this proactive step through the adoption of a safeguards framework that was developed by the Agency for Electronic Government and Information and Knowledge Society of Uruguay (AGESIC) with UNDP’s support.

Designing and implementing DPI with safeguards is paramount to helping countries achieve their national priorities and accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals. Doing so calls for the commitment of various responsible authorities, as no single group can enable, maintain or sustain DPI alone. This notion resonates in the recently-released Universal DPI Safeguards Framework, which was developed through a multistakeholder process under the stewardship of the Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology (OSET) and UNDP. It recognizes the role of DPI and its safeguards in the GDC process to ensure DPI implementations mitigate risks at both the individual and societal level.

Importantly, it is essential for technological advancements to be supported by strong institutions, frameworks that uphold human rights, and the creation of safe environments with effective redressal systems. As a society, we share not only obligations but also rights and opportunities. In this regard, Uruguay has established a robust legal framework that underpins its national digital policy. This includes laws on personal data protection, digital signatures, interoperability, accessibility, and digital medical records, among others. These regulations provide the guarantees needed to build a reliable, secure, and inclusive digital infrastructure.

Uruguay’s leadership on the global stage

Uruguay's leap in the United Nations Digital Government Index 2024, climbing from 35th (in 2022) to 25th globally, reflects its steadfast commitment to digital innovation and its leadership in the Americas. This achievement not only underscores Uruguay’s dedication to enhancing public digital services for its people, but also its commitment to sharing experiences and lessons with other countries to shorten their adoption curve. Uruguay is leading this charge with its active participation in the global 50-in-5 Campaign to drive DPI implementation. 

Furthering action on safe and inclusive DPI, UNDP and partners also recently co-hosted the Global DPI Summit in Cairo, Egypt, bringing together more than 500 representatives in the DPI ecosystem from more than 100 countries. The discussions emphasized the critical role of DPI as a critical enabler of the digital transformation, and the value of collaborating and joining efforts in this global movement to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Uruguay’s journey towards safe and inclusive digital transformation offers a powerful example of what is possible when countries prioritize inclusivity, security, and innovation. As countries join forces under the Global Digital Compact and through initiatives like the 50-in-5 Campaign, we look forward to learning from other countries’ DPI implementation stories and unpacking actionable insights from ours. 

We invite policymakers, technology leaders, and communities to join us in responding to these calls to action towards building a safer, more inclusive digital future that leaves no one behind.