National Experiences in Strengthening the ICT-Centric Innovation for SDGs
International Telecommunication Union
Session 198
Innovation Track
There still remains some unanswered questions about building national communities in a globalized world. Many countries have recognized the potential of ICT driven Innovation and despite the existence of numerous initiatives citizens' essential needs such as having sustainable jobs, improved quality of life and sharing of inclusive wealth with the national administration are unfulfilled.
Youth has a very important role to play in ensuring growth of digital economy as recognized in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals which sets out to 'substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship'.
The capacity of entrepreneurs to take ideas to market is the biggest source of job creation. Through entrepreneurship, innovators create startups which can grow to be small and medium business, and ultimately a few become high growth firms.
Programs and policies need constant adaptation due to the changing environment. Stakeholders as well need to have the ability to update their processes based on best practices to attain achievement of the SDGs.
This session will answer the following questions:
- How to strengthen impact of ICTs on the achievement of SDGs?
- What are the possible measures to foster ICT centric innovation at the national level?
- How to enable new opportunities for youth to ensure growth of digital economy?
Moderator
Mr Jaroslaw Ponder, Head of ITU Office for Europe
Speakers/Panellists
Welcome Remarks:
Ms. Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Director, Telecommunication Development Bureau, ITU
Panelists:
H.E Mr. Lasha Mikava, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, Georgia
H.E. Ms. Maria-Manuela Catrina, State Secretary, Ministry of Communications and the Information Society, Romania
H.E. Ms Anna Korka, Ambassador, Permanent Representative, Mission Of Greece
Mr. Konstantinos Masselos, President of the Hellenic Telecommunications & Post Commission (EETT), Greece
Mr. George Michaelides, Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner of Electronic Communications and Postal Regulation (OCECPR), Cyprus
Mr. Vladica Tintor, Director at Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Postal Services (RATEL), Serbia
H.E Ms. Anneli Vares, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Estonia
Hon. Mr. Oleksandr Danchenko (MP), Chairman of the Committee for Informatization and Communications, Parliament of Ukraine
Mr. Anir Chowdhury, Policy Advisor, Prime Minister Office, Bangladesh
Session's link to Sustainable Development Process
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Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
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Goal 8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all
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Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries
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Goal 11: Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
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Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
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Goal 16: Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies
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Goal 17: Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development
