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International cooperation

Partnership on Measuring ICT for Development

The Partnersh

ip on Measuring ICT for Development is an international, multi-stakeholder initiative to improve the availability and quality of ICT data and indicators, particularly in developing countries. Launched in 2004, the Partnership helps measure the information society by defining a core list of ICT indicators and methodologies to collect these indicators, by helping developing countries collect ICT statistics, particularly through capacity-building and hands-on training for national statistical offices, and by collecting and disseminating information society statistics.

In 2019, the Partnership on Measuring ICT for Development celebrated its 15th anniversary.

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2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

In September 2015, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was agreed at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit. This new framework for international cooperation to promote sustainable development between 2015 and 2030 is composed of 17 new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 Targets. The new agenda, which succeeds the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), was defined through a Member State-led process with broad participation from major groups and civil society stakeholders.

While none of the SDGs is specifically about ICTs, several targets make references to ICTs and technology. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development also recognizes that “The spread of information and communication technology and global interconnectedness has great potential to accelerate human progress, to bridge the digital divide and to develop knowledge societies". ITU has made a concerted effort to highlight the role that ICTs will play in achieving the SDGs. In March 2016, at its 47th session, the UNSC agreed on the global indicator framework, which will help monitor progress, identify challenges, and guide policy makers. Seven of the 232 indicators in this framework are ICT indicators, of which five under the responsibility of ITU.

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UN Data Strategy

The UN has launched the Secretary-General’s Data Strategy, which has as vision to build a whole-of-UN ecosystem that unlocks the full data potential of the UN, for better decisions and stronger support to people and planet—in the moments that matter most. António Guterres, Secretary-General said that “at the core of our Strategy is a simple idea: We start with data action that adds immediate value for our organization and the people we serve.”

It is furthermore of note that ITU fully supports and subscribes to the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics and the Principles Governing International Statistical Activities.

Broadband Commission

The Broadband Commission for Digital Development was set up jointly by ITU and UNESCO, in response to the UN’s call to step up efforts to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Established in May 2010, five years after the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) and ten years after the launch of the MDGs, the Commission is composed of a group of global government and business leaders. Based on the shared believe that expanding broadband access in every country is key to accelerating progress towards these goals, the Commission’s main objective is to boost the importance of broadband on the international policy agenda. It defines practical ways in which countries — at all stages of development — can achieve this, in cooperation with the private sector.

In October 2011, during the Broadband Leadership Summit, which was jointly hosted with ITU Telecom World 2011, the Broadband Commission issued four concrete, measurable broadband targets (pdf format) to world leaders, top policy-makers, industry leaders, users and consumers. The four targets, which countries should strive to meet by 2015, are aimed at making broadband policy universal and at boosting affordability and broadband uptake. ITU is monitoring countries'progress towards achieving the targets. In March 2013, the Broadband Commission for endorsed a fifth broadband advocacy target, calling for gender equality in access to broadband by 2020

UN Committee for the Coordination of Statistical Activities (CCSA)

ITU is a member of the UN Committee for the Coordination of Statistical Activities (CCSA). The CCSA serves as a forum to foster good practices in the statistical activities of international organizations, in accordance with the Principles Governing International Statistical Activities. The members of the CCSA are expected to contribute actively to the development of a coordinated global statistical system, producing and disseminating high-quality statistics, by facilitating the development of well-functioning national statistical systems.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the international statistics community has continued to work together, in partnership with national statistical offices and systems around the world, to ensure that the best quality data and statistics are available to support decision making during and after the current crisis. Thirty six international organizations have launched, under the aegis of the CCSA, a report entitled “How COVID-19 is changing the world: a statistical perspective”. It provides a snapshot of some of the latest information available on how COVID-19 is affecting different aspects of public and private life, from economic and environmental fluctuations to changes that affect individuals in terms of income, education, employment and violence and changes affecting public services such as civil aviation and postal services. It also puts a spotlight on the affects for some sub-population groups like women and children as well as geographical regions.

UNData

ITU is an active data provider to UNData, an internet-based data service for the global user community. Launched by the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), UNData has pooled major UN databases of several other international organizations into one single Internet environment. It allows users to search and access statistical information through one single entry point, using keywords.

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		As the UN specialized agency for ICTs, ITU is the official source for global ICT statistics. Find out more about how we produce and disseminate data, our main events and products. More>