USG Amandeep Singh Gill
World Internet of Things Convention 2026, Beijing-China

Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

It's a pleasure to greet participants of the World Internet of Things Convention, and the Conference on Sustainable Development of the Global Intelligently Interconnected Digital Economy.

I thank the organizers for bringing together leaders from government, industry, academia and international organizations at an important moment for the future of digital cooperation.

As the convention marks its 11th anniversary, it continues to provide a valuable platform for dialogue on emerging technologies and their impact across economies and societies.

The theme of this year’s gathering—— “A World of Smart Interconnection, A Future of Win-Win Cooperation” captures both the promise and the challenge of our time.

Connected devices, artificial Intelligence, data and digital infrastructure are increasingly a part of our daily lives. They power our cities, support our industries, improve health care, strengthen agriculture and create new opportunities for innovation and growth.

Yet technology alone does not determine the future.

Digital transformation is not something that simply happens to us. It's something we shape together.

We have choices and those choices will determine whether emerging technologies deepen divides or expand opportunity, fragment societies or strengthen cooperation.

Today, as the internet of things evolves alongside artificial Intelligence, we were entering a new phase of digital transformation.

Billions of connected devices are generating data, enabling automation and supporting decision making at unprecedented scale.

The opportunities are significant, but so, too, are the questions and the risks. Who gets to shape these technologies, who benefits from them and how do we ensure they serve people everywhere?

These are questions of inclusion, of development and of international cooperation.

Two years ago, member states adopted the global digital compact, establishing a shared framework for advancing an inclusive, open, sustainable, fair, safe and secure digital future for all.

The compact calls on us to close digital divides, broaden participation in the digital economy, strengthen trust and security, and enhance cooperation across borders.

These priorities are particularly relevant as connected technologies become increasingly embedded in our economies and societies.

When we talk about IoT, it is easy to focus on the technology itself: the sensors, the networks, the platforms and the data.

But the real question is what kind of digital future these technologies enable.

The value of IoT lies not simply in connecting billions of devices, but in creating connections that improve lives, strengthen resilience and advanced sustainable development from smarter cities and cleaner energy systems to more accessible health care and resilient infrastructure.

Connected technologies can help address some of our most pressing challenges.

At the same time, smart interconnection should not become another source of inequality.

It should be a force for inclusion, enabling every community to participate in and benefit from digital transformation.

Ladies and gentlemen, achieving this requires investment not only in technology but also in trusted infrastructure, interoperable standards, secure data governance and international cooperation across borders.

No country, company or institution can realize these opportunities alone.

The interconnected nature of digital technology means that cooperation is not an option. It is essential. 

We need practical mechanisms that allow diverse approaches to work together and transform diversity into a source of innovation, resilience, and shared progress. 

As discussion unfold during this convention, I encourage participants to focus not only on the technologies themselves, but also on the partnerships and the institution that ensure those technologies serve people everywhere.

Today, the internet of things and artificial Intelligence are becoming increasingly intertwined.

Connected devices are generating vast amounts of data, while AI is enabling new ways to derive insights and support decision making. As the UN independent international scientific panel on AI has noted advances in AI and increasingly interconnected with broader digital ecosystems and critical systems across society. 

Realizing their benefits while addressing risks will require international cooperation, inclusive governance and a shared commitment to ensuring that technological progress supports sustainable development and benefits all. 

Your conversations are also timely as we look ahead to the high level review of the global digital compact with the recent appointment of the co-facilitators for this review, preparations are beginning for a not important opportunity to assess progress, identify gaps and strengthen international cooperation for an inclusive digital future.

The insights emerging from the IoT community can make an important contribution to that process, and I look forward to the ideas and recommendation will come from your discussions. 

I also encourage you to participate in the next global dialogue on AI governance in may 2027 in New York.

Ladies and gentlemen, As technologies increasingly converge, it's important that the communities shaping AI digital infrastructure and intelligent connected systems learn from one another and work towards shared solutions.

The future of digital transmission will not be shaped simply by more devices, more data or faster networks.

It'll be shaped by whether we can expand opportunity, advance sustainable development and strengthen cooperation across sectors, disciplines and borders. 

Over the years, the World Internet of Things Convention has brought together governments, businesses, researchers and international organizations around these shared objectives. At a time of rapid technological change, that spirit of cooperation is more important than ever.

Let us continue to work together to build a future in which emerging technologies expand opportunity, strengthen cooperation and help advance the Sustainable Development Goals for all. 

I wish you productive discussions and every success at the convention.

Thank you very much.