This ITU-organized High Level Dialogue brings together high-level policy makers, decision makers from the private sector, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to present and discuss their perspective on these different aspects, identify any gaps, and also give recommendations for further enabling regulatory and policy measures that foster smart digital societies offering opportunities for all.

ICTs are a key enabler for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and targets, and measures promoting access to ICTs and providing strong, resilient, available, secure and trustworthy communications infrastructure and services are critical to foster smart digital societies for all.

We continue to work together to connect the next billion, enabling them into the digital economy, and offering huge opportunities to people around the world. Policy makers and regulators, as well as industry and consumers are seeing the opportunity, while at the same time being faced with policy and regulatory challenges and questions.

Rural and remote areas remain largely unconnected and face challenges in attracting private sector investment. The absence of regional connectivity between states with access to submarine cables and landlocked countries, and the scarcity of cross-border backbone links is also still causing gaps in access.

It’s also important to remember that stakeholders in emerging economies are equally, if not more, at risk from cyber threats, as the remaining billions of Internet users come online. The recent cyberattacks, affecting more than 150 countries, amply demonstrate that.

Targeted policies and effective regulations play a key role in the provision of affordable and trustworthy access to ICTs for all so that smart digital societies can benefit people around the world. Multistakeholder collaboration will be vital for the success of our efforts.