Jalisco, UN Launch Program to Reduce Digital Divide

The Government of Jalisco, in collaboration with UN agencies in Mexico, has launched “Human Security and Inclusive Digital Transformation: Knowledge Management for Sustainable and Resilient Development,” a program designed to reduce the digital divide and promote innovation aligned with social and environmental priorities.

Initially targeting northern Jalisco, the initiative has a budget of over US$600,000, funded by the UN Trust Fund for Human Security, FAO, ILO, and UNESCO. The program will develop a roadmap for ethical AI following UNESCO guidelines, implement FAO’s “Digital Village” model for rural areas, and establish digital transformation standards for SMEs focused on human security, covering data protection, connectivity, and skill-building. It will also address sustainable energy, resilient infrastructure, and water management.

Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro emphasized that the initiative builds on previous UN collaborations: “Learning from international experiences and successful UN projects enables us to design stronger public policies.” He highlighted a MX$7.3 billion (US$391 million) state investment in a new highway connecting Guadalajara with San Martín de Bolaños to support northern connectivity.

Juan Alberto Varela, Director of International Affairs for Jalisco, noted, “This alliance will deliver tangible results, from AI ethics to rural digital inclusion and SME resilience.”

Jalisco currently works with 10 UN agencies on 23 projects spanning gender equality, education, migration, culture, and sustainable livelihoods, aligned with the state’s 2024–2030 Governance and Development Plan and the UN Cooperation Framework in Mexico.