The Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development has
called on world leaders to harness Information and Communication Technology for
Development (ICT4D), reports ITRealms.
The Commission at the end of its recent High-Level Policy Forum in New
York, cited ICTs as uniquely powerful tool to drive global development, mostly
in driving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Also, the Commission in a press statement made available to ITRealms, urged policymakers, the private sector and other partners to make
deployment of broadband infrastructure a top priority in strategies to
accelerate global development and progress towards the SDGs.
The statement presented to the 2016
High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, which is
meeting in New York City from 11-20 July to guide global efforts on the achievement
of the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Commission outlined the myriad ways broadband could improve
global sustainable development.
These, they said, include addressing basic needs such as
education and access to information, helping lift people out of poverty through
e-commerce opportunities and job growth, improving health services, monitoring
climate change and planetary processes, and bridging the digital gender divide.
“The theme of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable
Development is ‘Ensuring that no-one is left behind,” said Houlin Zhao, ITU
Secretary-General, stressing that Broadband Commission outlined the fundamental
role broadband technology could play in helping the world achieve its most
pressing sustainable development goals.
“Let us all grasp this vital opportunity to strive for a world
where every citizen enjoys the opportunities and benefits of universal,
affordable and inclusive access to ICTs,” he said.
This, he said, will be the first HLPF that examines efforts at
national, regional, and global levels to put policies and measures in place
that will help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
In the months since the global community unanimously adopted the
goals at the SDG Summit in New York, last September,
they have become the development ‘gold standard’ for countries, the business
community, civil society and local governments around world. The HLPF also
offers an opportunity for the UN to highlight the important work all members of
the UN family are doing in support of the Goals.
This year’s HLPF consists of a five-day Expert-level Meeting and
a three-day Ministerial Meeting, 18 and 20 July.
Pix from the 12th meeting of the Commission.
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