With universal and affordable access to ICTs being recognized as pivotal for bringing the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda forward, the increased ICT uptake and Internet connectivity will not be sufficient and sustainable if the underlying infrastructure and the devices connected to it are not safe and secure. Member States need to be strategic about cybersecurity where the country's socio-economic vision is aligned with its digital security agenda. The work on the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) has resulted in helping countries identify areas for improvement, motivating action to improve cybersecurity, raising the level of cybersecurity worldwide, helping to identify and promote best practices, and has fostered a global culture of cybersecurity.

A government priority programme (GPP) related to the creation of an enabling environment conducive to an effective development of child online safety and security was designed.

In the framework of development of technical skills for Incident Responders, improved capacity and skills of technical staff from 20 government agencies in the area of cyber incidence.

ITU-D provided assistance to Palestine on assessment for the establishment of the Palestinian Computer Incident Response Team (CIRT).

BDT organized several events and trainings of which:

• ITU workshop for the CIS countries on "Integrated Aspects of Infocommunication Cybersecurity";
  
• Regional cybersecurity summit and symposium;
  
• Workshop on CIRT services and set-up process for African countries;
  
• Third Regional Cyber Security Drill for Africa region to enhance coordination to fight against cyber incidents;
  
• Regional Cyber Drill ALERT (Applied Learning for Emergency Response Teams) Fourth edition for Arab Region;
  
• Cybersecurity Week from the Center of the World and Fourth Cyberdrill Applied Learning for Emergency Response Teams for the America Region; and
  
• Caribbean School Cyber Security Awareness Programme.

BDT provided technical assistance to African and Arab countries: in the development of their respective COP strategic framework; in the implementation of their respective COP Action plans; and on building national cybersecurity strategy.
​

ICT applications and services are an important demand-side driver that can encourage the adoption of broadband services. There is a need to facilitate the development and use of ICT applications and services that support sustainable development, including in the fields of public administration, business, education and training, health, employment, environment, agriculture, and science within the overall context of national e-strategies. The capacity of ITU Member States to develop national e-strategies to foster an enabling environment for upscaling ICT applications was built through: [94]

For e-Health:

• A High-Level joint ITU–WHO "Digital Health Policy Dialog" which shared experiences and identified strategies among 250 participants..
  
• Technical Assistance provided to some African countries to develop and validate their national e-Health Strategy.
  
• A "Toolkit and Implementation Guidelines for a Digital Health Platform" was also developed.

For e-Agriculture:

• A joint ITU–FAO e-Agriculture Strategy Guide was published.
  
• The Joint ITU–FAO e-Agriculture Solutions Forum, shared e-Agriculture solutions that benefit agriculture stakeholders and established an Experts Group among e-Agriculture solution providers.

For e-Learning:

• A joint UNESCO–ITU "Policy Forum on Mobile Learning" built the capacity of 250 participants on how new, more affordable digital devices can help address urgent educational challenges and meet the needs of students, teachers and administrators.
  
• A joint ITU–UNESCO Policy Note on Mobile Learning made policy recommendations on the way forward. The Policy Note is available at: http://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Initiatives/m-Powering/Pages/ITU_UNESCO_MLW_PolicyForum.aspx.
  
• The capacity of countries to leverage ICT/mobile applications to improve the delivery of value-added services was improved.
  
• Three different mDiabetes programme were launched in Senegal, India, and Egypt in collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of ICT to help diabetic patients.
  
• Three mSmokingCessation programmes were launched in India, Tunisia, and the Philippines to use mobile applications to assist smokers to quit smoking.
  
• Guidelines on the use of mobile applications for smoking cessation, diabetes prevention and control, and cervical cancer were developed in collaboration with WHO.

A project on Smart Learning is currently being formulated with the Ministry of ICT and Ministry of Education in Palestine along with interested stakeholders including UNESCO and Alecso.

Awareness was raised among ITU members and advocacy conducted on ICT for development best practices. Specific regional events and trainings were organized, of which:

• Workshop on The Most Popular Mobile Applications: Implementation and Development in the CIS countries
  
• Training of Mobile Application development and mobile mediated solutions workshops for instructors
  
• ITU-TRAI Regional Seminar on Consumer Protection
  
• Digital Transformation Forum
  
• ITU Experts Group Meeting on Mobile Identity
  

[93] PP Dec. 5, 13; PP Res. 25, 71, 72, 99, 130, 172, 179, 181; WSIS AL C5; SDG Targets: 1, 3 (3.5), 4 (4.a), 5 (5.2, 5.3, 5.b), 7, 8, 9, 10 (10.2), 11, 16, 17​​
[94] PP Dec. 5, 13; PP Res. 25, 71, 72, 99, 139, 140, 183, 202; WSIS ALC7 of the Geneva Plan of Action; SDG Targets: 2, 3, 4 (4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7), 6, 7, 8 (8.1, 8.3, 8.8), 9 (9.1, 9.b), 11
​​​​​​