20 October 2016
Second Committee Highlights ICTs and “Analog Complements”
Photo by IISD/ENB | Kiara Worth
story highlights

In its annual debate on information and communications technology (ICT), the UN General Assembly’s (UNGA) Second Committee (Economic and Financial) called for efforts to bridge the digital divide between and within countries, rural and urban areas and genders.

A side event organized by DESA highlighted the potential of both ICT policies and their "analog components" (regulations, accountable institutions) in achieving the 2030 Agenda.

14 October 2016: The UN General Assembly’s (UNGA) Second Committee (Economic and Financial) discussed the relationship between information and communications technology (ICT) and sustainable development in an annual debate. Speakers called for bridging digitals divides and gaps between countries. In a Committee side event on the same day, participants discussed ‘The Role of Governments and All Stakeholders in Mobilizing ICTs for Sustainable Development.’

In the debate, which convened on 14 October 2016, Thailand for the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China) highlighted ICTs’ contributions to agriculture and climate change responses, including disaster risk reduction (DRR) and early warning systems, as well as to education, health, knowledge sharing, and promotion of peace and humanitarian responses. India highlighted the role of ICT in making government data available to all, which he said expands accountability, effectiveness and transparency. Maldives for the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) highlighted ICTs’ role in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Brazil urged identifying concrete ways ICTs can contribute to the SDGs. Nepal said ICTs can “prove a gamer-changer” and have great potential for reducing poverty and inequality.

Several speakers called for efforts to bridge the digital divide between and within countries, rural and urban areas and genders, including G-77/China, Belarus, Brunei Darussalam for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Bangladesh for the Group of Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Ethiopia, Nepal, Niger and the Philippines. Indonesia said eliminating the digital divide is critical to leaving no one behind. Kenya shared how its M-Pesa mobile payment system makes banking more inclusive. Observing that more than 3.5 billion people are still offline, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) said empowering girls and women with ICT skills can address a predicted shortfall of over 2 million jobs in the technology sector over the next five years.

Governments recommended: adopting policies to improve accessibility and affordability (LDCs, ASEAN); promoting technology transfer, capacity building and effective and sustainable technical assistance (G-77/China); training and education to ensure ICT literacy (LDCs); and building ICT capacity to ensure more effective use (AOSIS).

At the side event, which was organized by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), participants discussed the role of ICTs in achieving the 2030 Agenda and highlighted the potential of ICT policies and their “analog complements,” such as strengthening regulations and ensuring accountable institutions, in the digital revolution. Participants shared opportunities for ICTs to increase accountability, provide public services and decrease transaction costs. The event also considered how to realize SDG Target 9.c, on significantly increasing access to ICT and providing universal and affordable access to the internet in LDCs by 2020, including legal and regulatory environments that support competition and lower transaction costs. [UN Press Release] [UN Press Release on Side Event] [Side Event Information]

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