On 29 September 2026, civil society organisations, stateless-led movements, human rights advocates and UNHCR representatives came together to examine how digital transformation can advance inclusion without reinforcing existing inequalities.
Drawing on lived experiences, regional evidence and practical insights, the discussion highlighted the urgent need for accessible legal identity pathways, robust data protection safeguards, meaningful human review, accountability in development financing, and genuine community participation throughout the design and implementation of digital identity systems.
The central message was clear: technology must not digitise exclusion. Digital identity systems must uphold human rights, protect against surveillance and discrimination, and ensure that no one is left behind because of their lack of nationality or documentation.
As the international community prepares for the 75th Anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention and the December 2026 High Commissioner’s Dialogue on Protection and Solutions, these insights offer a vital contribution towards a more inclusive and rights-based digital future.
Building on this momentum, we call on governments, development partners, UN agencies, technology actors and civil society to place the voices and lived experiences of stateless people at the heart of digital transformation.
Key takeaways:
– Harmful inclusion is possible as targeted demographies may be under the government radar
– Often ‘voluntary’ digital IDs are the only pathway to essential services
– Digital IDs don’t change existing socio-economic realities, it may even create new barriers
– Affected communities are factored into the conversation after vital decisions have feen finalized and not during the policy-making process
The event was co-organised by Nationality for All (NFA), SDCC-AP, European Network on Statelessness, Eastern Africa Nationality Network, Human Rights for Digital Identity Coalition, Global Movement Against Statelessness, Southern African Nationality Network, Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion (ISI), Young Women for Sustainable Development Malawi, and UNHCR.
