As part of its special programme for the LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS, ITU provides highly targeted and concentrated assistance to countries. Assistance is provided across all ICT-related activities, including in the areas of market regulatory reforms, emergency telecommunications and disaster response, gender equality, cybersecurity, ICT infrastructure, spectrum management and climate change adaptation.
Eligibility criteria: LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS are eligible for concentrated assistance, based on the below criteria (adopted by ITU Council in 1999):
- Extremely low main line (ML) density, below 0.5 ML per 100 inhabitants.
- Sufficiently absorptive telecommunication organization where assistance will be put to good use.
- Stable environment and a leadership willing to implement agreed strategies.
- Countries emerging from a disaster or civil strife, but offering sufficient stability and security
Since the year 2000, almost all LDCs LLDCs SIDS have benefitted from ITU Operational Plans and Projects implementation.
