Should AsyncAPI Initiative endorse United Nations Global Digital Compact?

[derberg]

On 22nd of September this year, 193 member states of the United Nations General Assembly approved the Pact For The Future. The Pact includes (among many other positive actions) the Global Digital Compact, a worldwide commitment to ensure that digital technologies contribute to sustainable development and human rights, while addressing risks like digital divides, cybersecurity, and misuse of technology.

What it has to do with open-source

Policymakers noticed the existence of open-source. Good and scary.
European Union did not shine with Cyber Resilience Act and got a lot of pushback from the open-source community.

Looks like the United Nations learned from it. They not only organize open source focused events but also call for different organizations to join efforts.

Quote from Global Digital Compact:

We recognize that digital public goods, which include open-source software,
open data, open artificial intelligence models, open standards and open content that
adhere to privacy and other applicable international laws, standards and best practices
and do no harm, empower societies and individuals to direct digital technologies to
their development needs and can facilitate digital cooperation and investment.

What does it have to do with the AsyncAPI Initiative?

Quote from Global Digital Compact:

We commit by, 2030, to:
(a) Develop, disseminate and maintain, through multi-stakeholder cooperation,
safe and secure open-source software, open data, open artificial intelligence models and
open standards that benefit society as a whole (SDGs 8, 9 and 10);
(b) Promote the adoption of open standards and interoperability to facilitate
the use of digital public goods across different platforms and systems (all SDGs);

In short: there is a push for adopting and maintaining standards on a global scale.

AsyncAPI is an open standard. It is the only open-source standard that can be used by adopters of event-driven architectures to ensure interoperability.

We already see a set of different adopters from different industries adopting AsyncAPI and public institutions will do it too. Actually, we already know about one, it is used in pagopa.it that is an Italian public company providing payment services for administration.

Global Digital Compact is directly related to us as the Technical Community (one of organization types they recognize).

What is next?

I want to recommend we, as AsyncAPI Initiative community, endorse the UN efforts. I think we must join the efforts, and make an impact early to not be surprised later.

UN is a global political organization, so I want to make sure we are all aligned and I will not take the next steps if I don't see support from our TSC.

I personally believe it is an amazing initiative and not just a show-off for the public. I already noticed a positive change early this year and believe the move cannot be stopped, and with the support of open-source communities it can only be for the good.

This is a declaration I want to submit. Objective 1 is most critical:

Call for vote and endorsement

Please approve the request for official endorsement of Global Digital Compact.

[derberg]

/vote

[git-vote]

Vote created

@derberg has called for a vote on Should AsyncAPI Initiative endorse United Nations Global Digital Compact? (#1577).

The members of the following teams have binding votes:

Team
@asyncapi/tsc_members

Non-binding votes are also appreciated as a sign of support!

How to vote

You can cast your vote by reacting to this comment. The following reactions are supported:

In favor	Against	Abstain
👍	👎	👀

Please note that voting for multiple options is not allowed and those votes won't be counted.

The vote will be open for 28days. It will pass if at least 51% of the users with binding votes vote In favor 👍. Once it's closed, results will be published here as a new comment.

[theschles]

Before anybody rubber-stamps the GDC, please consider:

1. Where is the UN voting record -- e.g. which UN countries against it?

2. There's some significant criticism out there about the GDC:

• An Open Letter to the United Nations

• Analysis: a brave new reality after the UN’s Global Digital Compact

• What the heck is the Global Digital Compact and why is it so important?

• Civil society joint brief on the UN Global Digital Compact

[derberg]

Where is the UN voting record -- e.g. which UN countries against it?

can you explain what you mean and how is this relevant for voting? UN has 193 member states and all were involved in negotiations. There were some politics as there usually are: https://www.freiheit.org/human-rights-hub-geneva/global-digital-compact-adopted-un-member-states

does that matter what countries were against? or you just mention it as an interesting fact?

[Shurtu-gal]

@derberg could you possibly explain what entails these efforts like some examples regarding what we would be doing would be great.

[derberg]

@Shurtu-gal for me critical is to be involved from the point of view of EDA standards that they might be focusing on. To basically assure AsyncAPI is picked as standard. To make our voice visible.

For example AsyncAPI is picked as standard by IATA and it was much easier to reach because they learned about AsyncAPI at our AsyncAPI Conference in Paris, then we got connected and I resented AsyncAPI on their API-related working group. If we would not be open to help, that would be much harder to achieve I think. Although of course one can say that they anyway have no option and have to pick up AsyncAPI. We also know the same is happening in another completely different industry, not aviation but telecoms (some TSC members and Ambassadors were involved)

So for me it clearly means, we need to join UN when they will work on global standards. Especially in public domain, it is normal that organizations, governmants and other publicly-owned agencies look into well established standards and not come up with their own.

The only difference is that in case of IATA or any other standardisation organization for any industry, we do not have to align much. But since UN is political organization, I want to make sure we are very much aligned.

[derberg]

@asyncapi/tsc_members kind reminder to take a vote

Remember, you can use 👀 if you are ok with any decision and think the topic is irrelevant.

[git-vote]

Vote status

So far 15.38% of the users with binding vote are in favor (passing threshold: 51%).

Summary

In favor	Against	Abstain	Not voted
6	0	0	33

Binding votes (6)

User	Vote	Timestamp
whitlockjc	In favor	2024-11-11 15:04:14.0 +00:00:00
thulieblack	In favor	2024-11-11 10:45:45.0 +00:00:00
anshgoyalevil	In favor	2024-11-11 10:22:02.0 +00:00:00
Shurtu-gal	In favor	2024-11-05 13:29:51.0 +00:00:00
imabp	In favor	2024-11-11 10:49:24.0 +00:00:00
fmvilas	In favor	2024-11-11 11:11:40.0 +00:00:00
@GreenRover	Pending
@Amzani	Pending
@theschles	Pending
@smoya	Pending
@ivangsa	Pending
@dan-r	Pending
@kennethaasan	Pending
@dalelane	Pending
@lbroudoux	Pending
@Pakisan	Pending
@Tenischev	Pending
@anandsunderraman	Pending
@VisualBean	Pending
@M3lkior	Pending
@derberg	Pending
@jonaslagoni	Pending
@BOLT04	Pending
@quetzalliwrites	Pending
@magicmatatjahu	Pending
@rcoppen	Pending
@CameronRushton	Pending
@KhudaDad414	Pending
@AceTheCreator	Pending
@Florence-Njeri	Pending
@Souvikns	Pending
@devilkiller-ag	Pending
@princerajpoot20	Pending
@Samridhi-98	Pending
@aayushmau5	Pending
@NektariosFifes	Pending
@akshatnema	Pending
@sambhavgupta0705	Pending
@Mayaleeeee	Pending

[ivangsa]

While I appreciate very much your effort, I will vote against, and would stay away from politics. I prefer pursuing adoption from informed individuals, whether they belong to an organization or not.

[derberg]

@ivangsa I hugely appreciate your vote! For me what matters most is not the result of the voting, but the participation rate.

@ivangsa @jonaslagoni please share a vote on #1577 (comment) comment, otherwise technically your vote will not count

[derberg]

/check-vote

[git-vote]

Vote status

So far 30.77% of the users with binding vote are in favor (passing threshold: 51%).

Summary

In favor	Against	Abstain	Not voted
12	3	1	23

Binding votes (16)

User	Vote	Timestamp
smoya	Against	2024-11-12 9:32:13.0 +00:00:00
anshgoyalevil	In favor	2024-11-11 10:22:02.0 +00:00:00
jonaslagoni	In favor	2024-11-12 8:21:34.0 +00:00:00
GreenRover	Against	2024-11-12 9:08:21.0 +00:00:00
Tenischev	Abstain	2024-11-12 9:12:34.0 +00:00:00
whitlockjc	In favor	2024-11-11 15:04:14.0 +00:00:00
Pakisan	In favor	2024-11-11 18:54:25.0 +00:00:00
derberg	In favor	2024-11-12 22:29:46.0 +00:00:00
imabp	In favor	2024-11-11 10:49:24.0 +00:00:00
CameronRushton	In favor	2024-11-11 21:09:44.0 +00:00:00
fmvilas	In favor	2024-11-11 11:11:40.0 +00:00:00
VisualBean	In favor	2024-11-11 18:42:24.0 +00:00:00
thulieblack	In favor	2024-11-11 10:45:45.0 +00:00:00
Mayaleeeee	In favor	2024-11-12 9:19:47.0 +00:00:00
ivangsa	Against	2024-11-12 10:26:36.0 +00:00:00
Shurtu-gal	In favor	2024-11-05 13:29:51.0 +00:00:00
@Amzani	Pending
@theschles	Pending
@dan-r	Pending
@kennethaasan	Pending
@dalelane	Pending
@lbroudoux	Pending
@anandsunderraman	Pending
@M3lkior	Pending
@BOLT04	Pending
@quetzalliwrites	Pending
@magicmatatjahu	Pending
@rcoppen	Pending
@KhudaDad414	Pending
@AceTheCreator	Pending
@Florence-Njeri	Pending
@Souvikns	Pending
@devilkiller-ag	Pending
@princerajpoot20	Pending
@Samridhi-98	Pending
@aayushmau5	Pending
@NektariosFifes	Pending
@akshatnema	Pending
@sambhavgupta0705	Pending

Non-binding votes (1)

User	Vote	Timestamp
ashmit-coder	Abstain	2024-11-12 11:10:12.0 +00:00:00

[dalelane]

In the interest of explaining the reasoning behind my vote against, it was largely driven by the concerns summarised in https://open-internet-governance.org/letter

I was split between abstaining or voting against, as I certainly don't have a deep enough understanding of the nuances of GDC. Ultimately the concerns outlined in the letter (and in some of the analyses linked to from there - example) led me to think that perhaps our time would be better invested in participating in more open, less political standards-setting groups.

[theschles]

Where is the UN voting record -- e.g. which UN countries against it?

can you explain what you mean and how is this relevant for voting? UN has 193 member states and all were involved in negotiations. There were some politics as there usually are: https://www.freiheit.org/human-rights-hub-geneva/global-digital-compact-adopted-un-member-states

does that matter what countries were against? or you just mention it as an interesting fact?

Hi @derberg ,

Knowing who votes against a UN resolution is eye-opening.

In this case (thank you for the article link):

The Republic of the Congo reacted by introducing a _motion of no action_ in regards to the amendment. Most states welcomed this motion and it was adopted by vote:

143 in favor

7 against (Belarus, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Nicaragua, Russian Federation, Sudan, Syria)

15 abstentions Algeria, Bolivia, China, Cuba, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Lao, Malaysia, Maldives, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand)

The Pact of the Future, and thereby the GDC, were then adopted by consensus, without a vote. 

[my emphasis added]

If I'm not mistaken, a large portion of those who voted against a "motion of no action" are dictatorships and monarchies -- who unsurprisingly do not want more open-ness in their societies.

That said, this was passed by consensus without a vote? Something this big?

I'm not comfortable with that, nor with the concerns that I identified above. Hence my vote "no".

[derberg]

/check-vote

[git-vote]

Vote status

So far 34.21% of the users with binding vote are in favor (passing threshold: 51%).

Summary

In favor	Against	Abstain	Not voted
13	5	3	17

Binding votes (21)

User	Vote	Timestamp
GreenRover	Against	2024-11-12 9:08:21.0 +00:00:00
BOLT04	Abstain	2024-11-13 20:22:03.0 +00:00:00
imabp	In favor	2024-11-11 10:49:24.0 +00:00:00
fmvilas	In favor	2024-11-11 11:11:40.0 +00:00:00
whitlockjc	In favor	2024-11-11 15:04:14.0 +00:00:00
thulieblack	In favor	2024-11-11 10:45:45.0 +00:00:00
smoya	Against	2024-11-12 9:32:13.0 +00:00:00
Shurtu-gal	In favor	2024-11-05 13:29:51.0 +00:00:00
Mayaleeeee	In favor	2024-11-12 9:19:47.0 +00:00:00
Samridhi-98	In favor	2024-11-13 14:23:51.0 +00:00:00
dalelane	Against	2024-11-13 14:42:39.0 +00:00:00
theschles	Against	2024-11-14 3:55:37.0 +00:00:00
derberg	In favor	2024-11-12 22:29:46.0 +00:00:00
Tenischev	Abstain	2024-11-12 9:12:34.0 +00:00:00
jonaslagoni	In favor	2024-11-12 8:21:34.0 +00:00:00
ivangsa	Against	2024-11-12 10:26:36.0 +00:00:00
Pakisan	In favor	2024-11-11 18:54:25.0 +00:00:00
VisualBean	In favor	2024-11-11 18:42:24.0 +00:00:00
CameronRushton	In favor	2024-11-11 21:09:44.0 +00:00:00
anshgoyalevil	In favor	2024-11-11 10:22:02.0 +00:00:00
ashmit-coder	Abstain	2024-11-12 11:10:12.0 +00:00:00
@Amzani	Pending
@dan-r	Pending
@kennethaasan	Pending
@lbroudoux	Pending
@anandsunderraman	Pending
@quetzalliwrites	Pending
@magicmatatjahu	Pending
@rcoppen	Pending
@KhudaDad414	Pending
@AceTheCreator	Pending
@Florence-Njeri	Pending
@Souvikns	Pending
@devilkiller-ag	Pending
@princerajpoot20	Pending
@aayushmau5	Pending
@akshatnema	Pending
@sambhavgupta0705	Pending

[derberg]

/check-vote

[git-vote]

Vote status

So far 36.84% of the users with binding vote are in favor (passing threshold: 51%).

Summary

In favor	Against	Abstain	Not voted
14	5	4	15

Binding votes (23)

User	Vote	Timestamp
derberg	In favor	2024-11-12 22:29:46.0 +00:00:00
imabp	In favor	2024-11-11 10:49:24.0 +00:00:00
dalelane	Against	2024-11-13 14:42:39.0 +00:00:00
theschles	Against	2024-11-14 3:55:37.0 +00:00:00
CameronRushton	In favor	2024-11-11 21:09:44.0 +00:00:00
Shurtu-gal	In favor	2024-11-05 13:29:51.0 +00:00:00
Mayaleeeee	In favor	2024-11-12 9:19:47.0 +00:00:00
smoya	Against	2024-11-12 9:32:13.0 +00:00:00
ashmit-coder	Abstain	2024-11-12 11:10:12.0 +00:00:00
BOLT04	Abstain	2024-11-13 20:22:03.0 +00:00:00
fmvilas	In favor	2024-11-11 11:11:40.0 +00:00:00
Pakisan	In favor	2024-11-11 18:54:25.0 +00:00:00
Tenischev	Abstain	2024-11-12 9:12:34.0 +00:00:00
thulieblack	In favor	2024-11-11 10:45:45.0 +00:00:00
whitlockjc	In favor	2024-11-11 15:04:14.0 +00:00:00
GreenRover	Against	2024-11-12 9:08:21.0 +00:00:00
sambhavgupta0705	In favor	2024-11-14 16:32:30.0 +00:00:00
jonaslagoni	In favor	2024-11-12 8:21:34.0 +00:00:00
anshgoyalevil	In favor	2024-11-11 10:22:02.0 +00:00:00
VisualBean	In favor	2024-11-11 18:42:24.0 +00:00:00
Samridhi-98	In favor	2024-11-13 14:23:51.0 +00:00:00
princerajpoot20	Abstain	2024-11-15 14:25:01.0 +00:00:00
ivangsa	Against	2024-11-12 10:26:36.0 +00:00:00
@Amzani	Pending
@dan-r	Pending
@kennethaasan	Pending
@lbroudoux	Pending
@anandsunderraman	Pending
@quetzalliwrites	Pending
@magicmatatjahu	Pending
@rcoppen	Pending
@KhudaDad414	Pending
@AceTheCreator	Pending
@Florence-Njeri	Pending
@Souvikns	Pending
@devilkiller-ag	Pending
@aayushmau5	Pending
@akshatnema	Pending

[rcoppen]

It isn't clear at this stage what approval of this issue means for AsyncAPI in terms of next step actions, direction and outcomes. If I have understood correctly, there is some work to do to gain understanding and clarity around the initiative. While there are lots of unknowns, it might be useful to reframe approval for an AsyncAPI liaison to do the discovery work and report back to the TSC.

[derberg]

@rcoppen

This is simply a call for a vote to endorse the vision outlined in the UN Global Digital Compact and that we want to contribute. Contribute nothing else but the help with setting standards around event-driven communication with AsyncAPI support.

The application form itself clarifies that filling it out does not obligate us to any further commitments but serves as an expression of interest to contribute. For now, we are indicating a willingness to engage. Zero commitments.

Also official guide is pretty clear:

By endorsing, you will not pledge to any specific action nor commit to any specific action areas of the
Compact.

You can select all areas that apply. The content of this section does not constitute a mandatory
commitment (financial or otherwise) but will help inform the next stages and the GDC implementation
mapping

For now, I'm the contact person for them that will pass any message to the community. I'm not going to do anything else, just do a temporary liason work (as you call the role)

Once the actual work begins, we can assess the next steps, such as designating an official representative or developing a more organized approach and even a role of AsyncAPI liason. This will also give us time to evaluate how we might want to contribute not only to this initiative but also to other standards committees in areas like telecommunications or aviation, ensuring our participation aligns with AsyncAPI's strategic objectives. I would normally count on TSC and Ambassadors for that matter, without a specific format but maybe makes sense to do some more standard format for that. Anyway, separate discussion we need to have.

I hope that clarifies things.

[rcoppen]

@derberg thanks for the clarification. I also believe it is good for AsyncAPI to have an outward focus and collaborative approach across ecosystems. In its present form the issue and vote permit very broad scope. I think at this point, the TSC motion should simply note an area of interest and permit a liaison to engage with the aim of presenting options back to the TSC.

[git-vote]

Vote closed

The vote passed! 🎉

55.26% of the users with binding vote were in favor (passing threshold: 51%).

Summary

In favor	Against	Abstain	Not voted
21	5	6	6

Binding votes (32)

User	Vote	Timestamp
@aayushmau5	In favor	2024-11-18 15:59:15.0 +00:00:00
@derberg	In favor	2024-11-12 22:29:46.0 +00:00:00
@Florence-Njeri	In favor	2024-11-18 10:36:18.0 +00:00:00
@ivangsa	Against	2024-11-12 10:26:36.0 +00:00:00
@rcoppen	Abstain	2024-11-18 16:43:44.0 +00:00:00
@KhudaDad414	In favor	2024-11-18 10:16:26.0 +00:00:00
@fmvilas	In favor	2024-11-11 11:11:40.0 +00:00:00
@Tenischev	Abstain	2024-11-12 9:12:34.0 +00:00:00
@BOLT04	Abstain	2024-11-13 20:22:03.0 +00:00:00
@smoya	Against	2024-11-12 9:32:13.0 +00:00:00
@akshatnema	In favor	2024-11-18 20:18:57.0 +00:00:00
@dan-r	In favor	2024-11-18 14:07:36.0 +00:00:00
@Pakisan	In favor	2024-11-11 18:54:25.0 +00:00:00
@CameronRushton	In favor	2024-11-11 21:09:44.0 +00:00:00
@thulieblack	In favor	2024-11-11 10:45:45.0 +00:00:00
@Samridhi-98	In favor	2024-11-13 14:23:51.0 +00:00:00
@Souvikns	In favor	2024-11-18 10:29:33.0 +00:00:00
@anshgoyalevil	In favor	2024-11-11 10:22:02.0 +00:00:00
@princerajpoot20	Abstain	2024-11-15 14:25:01.0 +00:00:00
@imabp	In favor	2024-11-11 10:49:24.0 +00:00:00
@sambhavgupta0705	In favor	2024-11-14 16:32:30.0 +00:00:00
@VisualBean	In favor	2024-11-11 18:42:24.0 +00:00:00
@jonaslagoni	In favor	2024-11-12 8:21:34.0 +00:00:00
@ashmit-coder	Abstain	2024-11-12 11:10:12.0 +00:00:00
@GreenRover	Against	2024-11-12 9:08:21.0 +00:00:00
@theschles	Against	2024-11-14 3:55:37.0 +00:00:00
@magicmatatjahu	Abstain	2024-11-18 11:21:07.0 +00:00:00
@Amzani	In favor	2024-11-18 13:06:48.0 +00:00:00
@dalelane	Against	2024-11-13 14:42:39.0 +00:00:00
@whitlockjc	In favor	2024-11-11 15:04:14.0 +00:00:00
@Mayaleeeee	In favor	2024-11-12 9:19:47.0 +00:00:00
@Shurtu-gal	In favor	2024-11-05 13:29:51.0 +00:00:00

[devilkiller-ag]

@derberg, I am a bit new to this topic. Can you explain a little bit if we endorse the vision outlined in the UN Global Digital Compact then what will be our course of action at AsyncAPI, and how will it affect our organization?

[derberg]

@devilkiller-ag I feel like most of the details were provided in the main description or answers to similar questions. We do not know yet how it will affect our organization. We only offer we can be involved in some works. Ideally, once there will be works around EDA standards, we will be able to make sure AsyncAPI is part of it.

[derberg]

Huge thank you to all TSC members who participated in time. I knew it would not be an easy topic, politics never are. I'm super grateful for the large participation in voting. Only 6 TSC members did not vote out of 38 💪🏼

I just filled in the endorsement survey.

Summary: We only endorse GDC and say we are open to collaborate. In December this year they announced the names of all orgs that endorsed GDC. Next, I believe they will start preparing the work. Whenever there is anything close to EDA, I'll let you know.

@rcoppen in the case of the AsyncAPI Liaison concept. If you have something specific you could propose, or at least start a discussion, please start it here: https://github.com/orgs/asyncapi/discussions and share link in this issue. I personally think that if there are people that want to play such roles in different communities, UN and others then would be great to have some frame around the concept. We just need more details