The Regional Forum on Sustainable Development for UNECE Region was organized by UN Economic Commission for Europe, in close cooperation with the regional UN system, including ITU. It took place from 21 to 22 March 2019 at International Conference Center (CICG), Geneva, Switzerland. It followed up on and reviews the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the UNECE Region.
As the UN Agency for ICTs, the ITU continues to advocate for the enabling role of the ICTs for achieving SDGs. In this context this year a special focus event of the Regional Forum focused on Technology, Digitalization, Artificial Intelligence – Curse or Blessing for Sustainable Development? (Friday, 22 March 2019, 10:00 – 11:25).
In addition ITU contributed to the series of roundtables as follows:
Round tables on SDG 4 (Quality Education)
•Learning without Limits: Lifelong Learning and Inclusive Education
•The Power of Knowledge for Change: Education and Learning as Drivers of Sustainable Development
Round tables on SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)
•The Growth We Want: Solutions for Sustained, Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth
•The Future of Work: Productive Employment and Decent Work for All
Round tables on SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)
•Bridging the Gap: Achieving Greater Income and Economic Equality
•Towards a World of Equal Opportunity: Tackling inequality caused by exclusion and discrimination
Round tables on SDG 13 (Climate Action)
• Acting for Climate: Stepping Up Climate Change Policies, Action and Awareness in the Region
• Coping with Climate Change: Strengthening Resilience and Adaptation
Round tables on SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)
• Strengthening Institutions for Change: Fostering Effective and Inclusive Governance for Sustainable Development
• Empowering People to Protect the Planet: The Environmental Dimension of SDG 16
Finally, ITU contributed to the focus event How to Measure Progress? Data and Statistics for SDGs
Moreover, during the event ITU has been present with the UN Exhibition Booth drawing attention to the strategic role of ICTs for SDGs and the ITU’s contribution to the achievement of SDGs, including the following:
- ITU Regional Initiatives for Europe (English)
- ITU Regional Initiatives for CIS (English) (Russian)
- ITU Centres of Excellence
- ITU Academy
- ILO-ITU Digital Skills for Jobs Campaign to equip 5 million youth with job-ready digital skills
- EQUALS global partnership to bridge the digital gender divide
- Partnership on Measuring ICT for Development - ITU
- United for Smart Sustainable Cities
- ICTs, Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change
- AI for Good: Global Summit
- UN Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development
- ICTs for a Sustainable World #ICT4SDG
- WSIS – SDG Matrix
