The focus of this priority is to foster the development and use of telecommunications/ICTs, as well as applications and services, to close the digital divide and empower people and societies for sustainable development.

The priority will identify new approaches that engage Member States and other stakeholders in digital transformation, including start-ups, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), entrepreneurships, public-private partnerships (PPPs), and the public and private sectors, to support integration of ICT innovation and national development agendas while identifying needs and delivering initiatives at a national level to develop local telecommunication/ICT innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems in developing countries.

Recognizing that telecommunications/ICTs come with risks, challenges and opportunities, ITU will continue to support the use of telecommunications/ICTs for monitoring, mitigating and adapting to climate change, facilitating digital solutions for energy efficiency and reduced carbon emissions and protecting human health and the environment from e-waste. The environmental lens addressing climate change and integrating environmental sustainability considerations is instrumental to promote sustainable digital transformation, also in line with the Strategy for Sustainability Management in the United Nations System 2020-2030.