UNDP Global Conference on New Ways of Governance in Oslo

Dr Semuhi Sinanoglu represented IDOS at the UNDP Global Conference on New Ways of Governance. Participants explored how current governance systems must evolve to serve the public good against the backdrop of emerging technologies and the growing politicization of data and evidence.

Organised by the Global Policy Centre for Governance in Oslo from 28-29 October, the conference brought together a diverse group of stakeholders. They discussed what kinds of governance support are needed, and what forms of stakeholder collaboration and outreach are essential for scalable action. Insights from the conference will inform the implementation of UNDP’s draft Strategic Plan 2026-29, particularly its focus area on effective governance.

Semuhi Sinanoğlu offered his reflections on the role of the private sector in the design and execution of new democratic innovations based on insights from our new research initiative on corporate civic responsibility in safeguarding democracy.

There are two main takeaways from the conference:

1. The era of piloting is over. With the funding cuts in the development cooperation sector and a new era of governance looming on the horizon, it’s time to take stock of what works, institutionalize it, and embed it in social networks. One potential and effective pathway is to create public commons as shared responsibilities for democratic innovation.
2. Development cooperation should not just operate with the mainstream actors in the field. Instead, the sector should broaden alliances and reach out to non-traditional actors.