From the heart of Clermont-Ferrand, France, where all paths converged toward the Global Development Conference 2025 (GDC 2025), major ideas intersected with field experiences, and data and research transformed into stories of hope and achievement. Over several days of discussions and dialogue, the conference brought together researchers, experts, and policymakers from various countries, united by a single goal: how knowledge can serve humanity and make a tangible difference in the course of development and digital transformation.

Amid the screens and research papers, ideas came to life, and data acquired a human dimension as it was translated into practical solutions aimed at achieving universal health coverage and digital justice.

The Aaber.. Journalism for Humanity platform, represented by Editor-in-Chief Asaad Al-Zalzalee, participated in the three-day GDC 2025 held in late October under the theme “Inclusive Digital Transformation: Social Impacts and Technological Innovations.” The platform’s participation reflected its efforts to foster dialogue on responsible digital transformation and support media initiatives focused on fair and sustainable development.

The conference opened with a welcoming address, including a video message from Nandan Nilekani, Founder of UIDAI, alongside official remarks from representatives of the Global Development Network (GDN), FERDI, and CERDI. This was followed by the opening session organized by the Asian Development Bank, where speakers emphasized that digital transformation is no longer merely a technical process but a comprehensive development tool to reshape the relationship between data and social justice.

Discussions revolved around empowering communities with innovation tools, leveraging artificial intelligence to support the green economy, and expanding digital inclusion in low- and middle-income countries

Digitalizing Development: From Policy to Practice

The first day of the conference featured rich sessions of both theoretical and practical discussions, highlighted by the plenary session titled “The Twin Transitions”, which examined the relationship between digitalization and green policies, and emphasized the need to balance digital transformation with environmental sustainability.

Participants also led a series of workshops on topics including research storytelling, artificial intelligence in public administration, bridging the digital divide, and youth digital leadership, alongside the finals of the Global Development Awards Competition 2025 (GDAC ORD).

The discussions highlighted the importance of gender-disaggregated data and the use of innovative digital tools, such as digital agricultural insurance, to enhance the resilience of rural communities in facing climate change.

Additionally, GlobalDev Blog, part of the Global Development Network, organized two training sessions targeting young researchers, focusing on how to translate research findings into impactful policy messages, thereby building an interactive bridge between knowledge and decision-makers

Innovation and Digital Justice

Within the specialized sessions, a workshop organized by the Australian Catholic University introduced the concept of “Inclusive Co-Creation” in digital development, emphasizing the involvement of marginalized groups in designing technological solutions.

The Impact Dragonfly session explored the concept of digital justice and the responsible use of artificial intelligence in public policy-making.

At the same time, the TELEP Network presented a feminist perspective on digital development, highlighting the role of women in building equitable digital infrastructures.

Meanwhile, the Youth Internet Governance Forum (Youth IGF) held an interactive session aimed at empowering young people to participate in global digital governance and to develop policies that ensure fair representation of new voices in decision-making

Day Two: Artificial Intelligence and Digital Governance

On the second day, discussions delved deeper into the relationship between artificial intelligence and governance in developing countries, with speakers emphasizing that the deployment of AI in development requires policies grounded in transparency and accountability.

UNICEF presented its new initiative, the MEL Toolbox, designed to measure the impact of innovation from the idea stage through practical implementation, reinforcing the concept of evidence-based innovation.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) discussed the financial and regulatory challenges associated with encryption and digital currencies, while the 60 Million Girls Foundation showcased a decade-long field experience in offline digital education through its Mobile Learning Lab, a project that has brought tangible improvements to community education in remote areas.

Closing the second day, Marcos Maggi from the Digital Knowledge Center delivered an extensive presentation on Trust in Digital Governance, highlighting the European Union’s experience in developing smart identity systems and establishing legal frameworks that ensure privacy and transparency

Digital Sovereignty and Information Justice

The third day focused on “Digital Sovereignty or Digital Imperialism” in a keynote session that sparked extensive discussion on the concentration of digital power in the hands of a limited number of countries and major corporations, and the need to implement policies that rebalance data ownership and internet infrastructure.

Experts also examined the impacts of digital globalization on information justice and explored ways to protect individual privacy amid growing reliance on intelligent systems.

In parallel sessions, research papers were presented on how digitalization is reshaping the relationship between scientific research and public policy, alongside discussions on the digital economy in the Global South and the role of community-driven innovation in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals

Global Development Awards: Innovation for Health and Justice

The conference concluded with the Global Development Awards Competition 2025 (GDAC 2025), which honored outstanding research projects and innovative initiatives from the Global South.

First place was awarded to Niseli Mushani from the University of Mzuzu in Malawi for her research titled “Strengthening Mobile Health Systems Resilient to Climate Change.” Second place went to Antonio Oladimeji from the University of Ibadan in Nigeria for his study on “Promoting Equality in Women’s Nutritional Health.” Third place was awarded to Asogwa Chisom Nwuma from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka for the project “Developing Machine Learning Algorithms for Stroke Prediction and Prevention.” Additionally, awards were presented in the Japanese Award for Most Innovative Development Project (MIDP) category, with first-place recognition going to initiatives from Thailand and Pakistan, while second place was awarded to the Artificial Intelligence Institute in Saudi Arabia-Brazil

Towards a Fairer Digital Future

The closing discussions in the session “Beyond Access: Towards Digital Equity for All” emphasized that digital justice is not merely about providing technology, but about empowering individuals to use it effectively and responsibly.

Participants highlighted that digital transformation must be accompanied by human-centered policies that ensure dignity, equality, and equal opportunities, making it an empowering rather than discriminatory tool.

Regarding Aaber’s participation in the conference,

Editor-in-Chief Asaad Al-Zalzalee stated:

“Our participation in this conference stems from our belief in the importance of uniting efforts between media and scientific research to support development pathways and build more inclusive and just societies, especially given the gap between our region and the rest of the world in showcasing research in the media and leveraging it to serve humanity.

This international gathering provides a vital space for exchanging ideas and visions on how to employ digital solutions in service of people, and to enhance equitable access to essential services in health, education, and development.” Al-Zalzalee added: “Through our presence at this event, we reaffirm the role of the media in conveying knowledge and linking it to real-world impact, supporting initiatives that seek to make a tangible difference in individuals’ and communities’ lives. Today, journalistic responsibility extends beyond coverage to active participation in creating the positive change our region and the world aspire to.” He also thanked the conference organizers for granting Aaber this opportunity.

It is noteworthy that the Global Development Conference 2025 (GDC 2025) is the flagship event of the Global Development Network (GDN), held annually in different locations with a varying thematic focus. The conference hosts high-level, evidence-based discussions on current development challenges and priorities, with most participants coming from low- and middle-income countries-a distinctive feature of the event.

The conference provides emerging and established researchers the opportunity to publish their work, share ideas, and foster North-South interactions among academics and policymakers worldwide, thereby strengthening a global network. Furthermore, the event brings Southern perspectives to development issues often debated in high-income countries and enhances collaboration and development effectiveness