The World Telecommunication Development Conference 2017 (WTDC-17), which took place in Buenos Aires 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 ITU's Development Sector (ITU-D). More than 1,360 participants, including delegates representing 134 ITU Member States, convened in Buenos Aires to specifically review and endorse actions under the WTDC-17 theme "ICT for Sustainable Develop Goals (ICT4SDG)". This represented a unique opportunity to realize a "common understanding" on the forward-looking role of ICTs toward achievement of the SDGs, and in so doing, improving livelihoods around the world.

The two-week meeting programme included a high-level plenary segment in which ministers and deputy ministers shared their views on emerging trends and on matters of strategic importance to the development of the ICT sector. Knowledge and experience were shared among participants at a series of side events on timely issues including cybersecurity, gender, digital skills for youth employment, emergency response telecommunications, digital finance and e-health. Rich strategic discussions were also held at the national, regional and international levels, with many views and experiences shared.

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.