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  • 20 October 2017
    WTDC-17 advances use of ICTs to achieve global Sustainable Development Goals

    Delegates participating in the World Telecommunication Development Conference 2017 (WTDC-17), which took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina from 9 to 20 October, adopted a forward-looking agenda designed to leverage information and communication technologies (ICTs) towards the achievement of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – and to chart the course for the next four years of the International Telecommunication Union's Development Sector (ITU-D). 

    More than 1,360 participants, including more than 1,010 government delegates representing more than 130 countries, convened in Buenos Aires to specifically review and endorse actions under the WTDC-17 theme "ICT for Sustainable Develop Goals (ICT4SDG)".

    In his closing remarks, Brahima Sanou, said that the end of WTDC-17 "marks a new beginning". "A new journey is about to start and it will pave the way to new opportunities to achieve socio-economic development," he added. Mr Sanou highlighted that the discussions held at WTDC-17 represented an opportunity "to reshape the future of the ICT Sector and reposition the sector in the new ecosystem." He also said that "the Buenos Aires Declaration we adopted at this WTDC is our vision for the future. It sends a strong message from the ICT community to the world about our contribution to the attainment of the SDGs."

    The Buenos Aires Declaration states that "universally accessible, secure and affordable telecommunications/ICTs are a fundamental contribution towards the achievement of the WSIS Action Lines and of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the development of the global information society and the digital economy."

    The Buenos Aires Action Plan provides a simple, comprehensive and functional instrument for the achievement of the strategic objectives of ITU‑D. The Buenos Aires Action Plan, specifically its programmes, regional initiatives and Study Group Questions will further contribute to the implementation of ITU resolutions and recommendations relevant to the mandate of ITU-D, including the ITU Connect 2020 Agenda, the World Summit for the Information Society (WSIS) action lines and Sustainable Development Goals and Targets.

    WTDC-17 also commemorated the 25th Anniversary of ITU's Development Sector. The milestone was marked by two Ministerial Roundtables focused on the impact of ICTs for SDGs and the future of the digital economy. This was followed by a Gala Dinner honouring all of the Telecommunication Development Bureau's Directors and recognizing the contribution made by ITU-D long-standing Members. 

    Watch WTDC-17 video coverage of all key sessions and side events here.

    Download all WTDC-17 photos here.

    Download all WTDC-17 opening and closing speeches here.