Connectivity

GDC Objective 1: Close all digital divides and accelerate progress across the Sustainable Development Goals

Connectivity

11 (a) Develop and strengthen targets, indicators and metrics for universal meaningful and affordable connectivity, building on existing work, and integrate these into international, regional and national development strategies

11 (b) Develop innovative and blended financing mechanisms and incentives, including in collaboration with Governments, multilateral development banks, relevant international organizations and the private sector, to connect the remaining2.6 billion people to the Internet and to improve the quality and affordability of connectivity. We will aim for entry-level broadband subscription costs that are accessible to the widest section of the population;

11 (c) Invest in and deploy resilient digital infrastructure, including satellites and local network initiatives, that provide safe and secure network coverage to all areas, including rural, remote and “hard-to-reach” areas, and promote equitable access to satellite orbits, taking into account the needs of developing countries. We will aim for universal access at affordable rates and at sufficient speeds as well as reliability to enable meaningful use of the Internet;

11 (d) Map and connect all schools and hospitals to the Internet, building on the Giga initiative of the International Telecommunication Union and the United Nations Children’s Fund, and enhance telemedicine services and capabilities;

11 (e) Promote sustainability across the life cycle of digital technologies, including context-specific measures to increase resource efficiency and to conserve and sustainably use natural resources and that aim to ensure that digital infrastructure and equipment are sustainably designed to address environmental challenges in the context of sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty

11 (f) Include the needs of people in vulnerable situations and those in underserved, rural and remote areas in the development and implementation of national and local digital connectivity strategies;

11 (g) Mainstream a gender perspective in digital connectivity strategies to address structural and systematic barriers to meaningful, safe and affordable digital connectivity for all women and girls.