I speak on behalf of ECE RCEM. Achieving SDG 9 requires not only investment — it requires governance systems that are transparent, accountable, and people-centred. Without that, neither infrastructure nor innovation can serve the public good.
I. Public-private partnerships
PPPs are a critical tool for financing infrastructure and driving innovation. But they must be properly governed. Regulatory frameworks are too often fragmented and opaque. Fiscal risks fall disproportionately on communities. Human and labour rights compliance remains weak. And overdependence on a small number of large actors in critical sectors creates systemic vulnerability.
Civil society insists on:
Transparent, standardised PPP frameworks open to public scrutiny, with clear public-interest objectives
Binding mechanisms to ensure benefits are shared equitably with affected communities
Strong enforcement of human and labour rights standards and robust anti-corruption safeguards
Diversified partnerships to reduce dependency and build more resilient infrastructure systems
Corrective action on power imbalances with global corporate actors, particularly in critical sectors
II. Innovation, inclusion, and the digital divide
Innovation is accelerating, but governance is not keeping pace. Regulatory gaps around autonomous systems, platform-based services, and AI create fragmentation and unmanaged risk. At the same time, the digital divide continues to deepen — excluding rural populations, older persons, persons with disabilities, and low-income groups. Workers face displacement and precarious conditions without adequate rights or protection. Data privacy and surveillance concerns are growing, especially in sensitive social contexts.
Civil society calls for:
Coherent national regulatory frameworks for emerging technologies that embed human oversight and allow local adaptability
Universal access to digital tools and in-person training as part of public services — prioritising ageing, rural, and low-income populations
Lifelong learning as a core component of just transition strategies for workers facing displacement
Strong data governance and rigorous risk assessment as mandatory preconditions for technological deployment
Genuine collaboration between policymakers, technical experts, and civil society — built into governance, not added as an afterthought
Advancing SDG 9 means ensuring that infrastructure and innovation serve people — all people. By strengthening governance, closing inclusion gaps, and upholding rights, we can make progress that is both sustainable and just. Civil society is ready to be a partner in that work — not a footnote to it.