Broadband Commission charges world leaders to harness ICT4D to drive SDGs

The Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development has charged world leaders to harness Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) to drive Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Commission gave the charge at the end of its recent High-Level Policy Forum (HLPF) in New York, attributing ICTs as uniquely powerful tool to drive global development, generally in driving the SDGs.

The Commission in a press statement also made available to the Daily Times insisted that policymakers, the private sector and other partners should make deployment of broadband infrastructure a top priority in strategies to accelerate global development and progress towards the SDGs.

The statement is to be presented to the 2016 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development meeting in New York City, from 11-20 July to guide global efforts on the achievement of the SDGs.

The Commission outlined the numerous ways broadband could improve global sustainable development to 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.

ITU Scribe stressed 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 stated.

According to him, this 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.

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 from 18 and 20 July.