Overview
Digital technologies are increasingly important to economic and social development around the world. They expand access to information, education, health services, financial services and public services. They also support scientific research, economic activity, environmental monitoring, disaster preparedness and emergency response.
ITU oversees radio spectrum use, establishes international technical standards, provides data and analysis, helps build regional and national capacity, and facilitates international cooperation to advance digital technologies for the good of everyone globally.
Opportunities
Digital technologies can:
- Expand access to information, communication and knowledge.
- Improve access to education and health services.
- Support economic growth, entrepreneurship and innovation.
- Strengthen financial inclusion.
- Improve public services and public administration.
- Support environmental monitoring and climate-related action.
- Improve disaster preparedness, response and recovery.
- Enable scientific research and evidence-based decision-making.
- Expand opportunities for participation in economic and social life.
Telecommunications networks, radio services, satellite systems and digital platforms help reduce geographic barriers, connect underserved communities and improve access to services and opportunities.
Digitalization can accelerate progress on health, education, innovation, infrastructure and other aspects of sustainable development.
Challenges
The benefits of technological progress are not distributed equally.
Persistent challenges include:
- Unequal access to connectivity.
- Affordability barriers.
- Gaps in digital skills and literacy.
- Digital divides associated with geography, income, gender, age and disability.
- Security, privacy and trust concerns.
- Limited access to infrastructure in some communities.
- Environmental impacts associated with technology production, use and disposal.
Addressing these challenges is essential to ensure that the benefits of technology contribute to broad-based and long-term development.
Policy and development considerations
Effective use of digital technologies for development depends on a combination of factors, including:
- Communications infrastructure and connectivity.
- Affordable access to devices and services.
- Digital skills and capacity development.
- Accessible technologies and services.
- Supportive policy and regulatory environments.
- International cooperation.
- Reliable data and evidence to inform decision-making.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), agreed by UN Member States in 2015, recognized the role of technology, innovation and communications infrastructure in advancing development. Digital infrastructure under the sea, on land and in space helps connect communities and expand access to information, services and economic opportunities. Research by United Nations agencies estimated that digital technologies could help accelerate progress on 70 per cent of SDG targets.
The
WSIS framework – based on the World Summit on the Information Society in 2003 and 2005 – complements the UN sustainable development agenda with an ongoing, global, multi-stakeholder consultation process on digital development, reaffirmed by the UN General Assembly's 20-year review. The
WSIS+20 resolution in December 2025 noted ITU's key role as the UN agency for digital technologies and the underscored the alignment of the WSIS process with the previous year's
Global Digital Compact.
ITU's contribution
Connectivity and infrastructure
ITU supports the development of communications infrastructure and services that expand access to connectivity and digital opportunities.
Technical standards
ITU develops international standards that promote interoperability, efficiency, safety, security and accessibility across digital technologies and communications networks.
Spectrum and satellite resources
ITU manages the international framework governing radio-frequency spectrum and satellite-orbit resources, helping ensure that these shared resources are available for services that support development, safety and resilience.
Data, research and analysis
ITU collects and publishes data on connectivity, technology adoption and digital development, helping governments and other stakeholders measure progress, identify gaps and inform decision-making.
Capacity development and technical assistance
ITU supports countries through training, guidance, technical assistance and knowledge-sharing across a wide range of technology-related development issues.
International cooperation
ITU provides a platform for governments, industry, academia, civil society and international organizations to cooperate on the development and use of digital technologies and communications networks.
Multi-stakeholder engagement
ITU supports global digital cooperation through the annual
WSIS Forum, the United Nations Group on the Information Society (UNGIS), the Partner2Connect Digital Coalition (P2C), and
Giga, all of which bring different stakeholders together to share experiences, promote good practices and recognize impactful digital initiatives.
Last update: September 2026
