The Digital Train Turkey Missed: The UN Global Digital Compact and our chronic delay

The world is entering a new phase in digital transformation. The United Nations has announced a roadmap it calls the Global Digital Compact. In short, it is a plan that claims to bridge digital divides, regulate data management, oversee artificial intelligence, and make the digital economy accessible to everyone. Setting aside how much the UN will actually succeed in this, the real question is: Where does Turkey stand in this major transformation?

The answer is frustrating: We are looking from behind again.

Digital Transformation Is Not Just About Consumption

There has been a persistent mentality problem in Turkey for years: We think it is a skill to consume technology rather than produce it. Does a new platform emerge? Instead of creating our own alternative, we quickly start using it. Digital transformation is not just about laying fiber in every neighborhood or making a fancy new app. The real issue is being one of those who set the rules in the digital world.

But what do we do? We settle for complying with the rules set by others as end users. Currently, no one in Turkey is an active actor in the decision-making process of the Global Digital Compact. We have neither major technology companies nor an institutional structure that has a say on this matter at a global level. It is all about regulation, all about bans!

Five Critical Areas Where Turkey Is Late

The UN has set five goals for the digital future. Now, let's be honest, in which of these is Turkey ambitious?

Digital Access: Yes, the internet has become widespread, but there is still injustice in speed, price, and access. Fiber infrastructure is still insufficient outside of major cities.

Digital Economy: How many incentives are there for the digitalization of SMEs in Turkey? How many companies have truly fully adapted to e-commerce?

Data Management: We have the KVKK (Personal Data Protection Law), but we do not have a data economy strategy in a global sense. Our data is going to China via Deepseek; we have been saying this for weeks, and the KVKK only publishes 4-5 sentence brochures in the form of recommendations explaining how not to let data be captured by Artificial Intelligence.

Human Rights & Security: Who determines Turkey's policies on social media platforms? Us, or the law firms of companies in the US?

Artificial Intelligence Governance: While the world is determining ethical rules for artificial intelligence, we are still debating whether artificial intelligence is dangerous or not.

Opportunities Are on the Table, But No One Is Picking Them Up

Turkey has a few areas where it could truly have a say in the digital world:

Gaming sector (Despite producing companies like Peak Games and Dream Games, the state does not have a clear policy in this area)

Defense technologies (Bayraktar and other projects have made great progress, but they cannot be transferred to civilian technology)

Fintech and blockchain technologies (Fintech startups are killed before they are born due to fear of regulation)

Now I ask: Why is Turkey's name not mentioned in major transformations like the UN's Global Digital Compact?

Because our agenda is not to produce technology, but to regulate it. When innovation and entrepreneurship enter the picture, bureaucratic obstacles emerge instead of support. The result? We are missing the global train, and then we turn around and complain, "Why is everything in the hands of the US and China?"

We Must Now Break This Vicious Cycle

For Turkey to have a say in the digital future, we now need a radical change in mentality:

We must be a guide, not a regulator. We must grow with incentives, not with bans and taxes.

We must take an active role in global organizations. Turkey's name is not even mentioned in the UN's artificial intelligence governance.

We must export technology instead of importing it. If we do not do this, we will continue to be "end users" who only follow the rules written by others.

The UN Global Digital Compact may be a project on paper, but the real issue is whether Turkey will be an extra here or one of those who manage the stage. Right now, we are extras. But if this mentality does not change, the stage lights will never shine on us.