ALA active at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly

The American Library Association (ALA) International Relations Committee (IRC) United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG) Subcommittee hosted the first ALA UN in-person event during the United Nations General Assembly 79 (UNGA), and members of the subcommittee advocated for libraries during the assembly.

Inspired by library advocacy carried out by the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and its members at the United Nations, ALA is joining library advocacy at the UN, which also aligns with its core values of access and equity as well as its mission to ensure access to information for all.

Subcommittee members Loida García-Febo and Robin Kear met Ambassador Norberto Moretti, Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN from Brazil, and Rodrigo Amaya, Minister Counselor from the Colombian Permanent Mission to the UN. Some of the themes that transpired during those conversations included libraries supporting the education of individuals in diverse communities, empowerment and protection of women, and inclusivity principles.

On Saturday, September 21, leaders and experts in government, academic, public and school libraries converged to present “Libraries Powering the United Nations Global Digital Compact,” an event highlighting how libraries are committed to the goals of the Global Digital Compact from the United Nations. The Global Digital Compact is an inclusive global framework to overcome digital, data, and innovation divides. Libraries are harnessing the opportunity to join a global effort that will benefit local communities.

The event was presented by the ALA and its ALA IRC UN SDG Subcommittee with the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library of NYPL.

ALA was honored to welcome Karl Redmond, a representative from the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations, who brought remarks in support of libraries and the promising Friends of Libraries at the United Nations group, which is currently under development.

Rajendra Prasad Pandey, General Secretary, Nepal Community Library Association, shared inspiring stories about libraries bridging the digital connectivity in Nepalese communities.

The program was moderated by Loida Garcia-Febo, ALA Past President and Chair of the ALA IRC UN SDG Subcommittee. Guest speakers included Dr. Brandy McNeil, President-Elect of the Public Library Association; Melissa Jacobs, Director Library Services, NYC Department of Education; Robin Kear, President of the Faculty Senate at the University of Pittsburgh and member of the ALA UN SDG Subcommittee; Shauntee Burns-Simpson, Past President of the Black Caucus ALA; and Bill Goldband, Vice President of Information Technology and Development, Queens Public Library.

The speaker's interventions reflected the Compact just agreed to by world leaders at the Summit of the Future in New York, which is anchored in human rights and sustainable development and sets universal principles and actions for a fair, inclusive digital future. Specifically, libraries like the Compact are committed to:

• Closing all digital divides and delivering an inclusive digital economy
• Building an inclusive, open, safe, and secure digital space
• Strengthening international data governance and governing AI for humanity

View a recording of the “Libraries Powering the United Nations Global Digital Compact” session.

ALA and libraries will continue advocating for libraries at the United Nations together with IFLA. Libraries are aligned with the principles of the Global Digital Compact, including inclusivity, human rights, gender equality, access to trusted, quality information, and technological equity; they are forward-looking and are working with a multi-stakeholder approach towards environmental sustainability, equity, accessibility, and an open, safe, and secure physical and digital space for our communities.