The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has reiterated the UN’s dedication to ensuring that individuals worldwide, regardless of their country of residence, can reap the benefits of the digital era.
In a statement marking the 2024 World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD), observed annually on May 17, Mr. Guterres highlighted the transformative power of communication tools in improving lives.
This year’s theme underscores the role of digital innovation in advancing sustainable development and realising the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Mr. Guterres stated that digital technology facilitates educational outreach, enables efficient healthcare communication, and plays a fundamental role in designing smart and sustainable urban infrastructure. However, he stressed that such innovations must not remain confined to affluent nations. Developing economies, grappling with growing inequalities, climate change, and environmental degradation, often encounter barriers to accessing digital technologies that could alleviate these challenges.
The Secretary-General emphasised the importance of innovative technologies and policies, including broadband infrastructure and digital literacy training, in bridging the digital divide and achieving universal connectivity by 2030—an essential objective of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Furthermore, he highlighted the significance of global cooperation and coordination, exemplified by the ITU’s AI for Good initiative and the forthcoming Global Digital Compact. These initiatives aim to harness digital innovation for the collective benefit, turbocharge progress towards the SDGs, and promote inclusive digital governance.
Similarly, Ms. Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union, stated the role of innovation in accelerating sustainable development. She highlighted how digital technologies can address various global challenges, from combating climate change to eradicating hunger and poverty.
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2024 serves as a platform to explore how digital innovation can foster global connectivity and unlock sustainable prosperity. Despite progress, significant digital gaps persist, hindering innovation in many regions due to insufficient policies, investments, and digital skills.
