The Roundtable on SDG 17 “Building effective partnerships for digital transformation" of the Regional Forum on Sustainable Development for the UNECE Region took place on 14 March 2024 from 10:00 to 13:00 CET. It was held in the Palais des Nations room XIX, in Geneva, Switzerland. The roundtable was organized by the UN Digital Transformation Group for Europe and Central Asia, under the leadership of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), and the contribution of other UN agencies.
In the pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals, the persistent digital divide remains a significant challenge, hindering progress and impacting 2.6 billion lives globally.
In order to meet the central promise of the SDGs to leave no one behind, uniting the efforts of various stakeholders to put the progress on the SDG's back on track is critical. These partnerships are significant not only for the SDG17, but also for the Global Digital Compact, proposed under the Common Agenda and informed by the Roadmap for Digital Cooperation. The Global Digital Compact is expected to be agreed upon at the Summit of the Future in September 2024
In the letter released earlier this year, the co-facilitators of the UN Global Digital Compact make it clear: We need to collectively harness the benefits and manage the risks of digitalization for all.
Simultaneously, the World Summit on the Information Society called for the organization of regional WSIS follow-up activities. This time, they have particular relevance, as the WSIS marks a significant milestone of twenty years of progress-, As part of this ongoing review process, a WSIS+20 High Level Event will be held in May 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland.
The focus of the session aligned with the imminent Summit of the Future, emphasizing international digital partnerships and reviewing the impact of the WSIS at the regional level. Delving into crucial policy areas, such as infrastructure development, digital skills, data governance, and more, the session aimed to foster a safe and inclusive digital environment.
A spotlight on developing countries from the region provided insights into ongoing digital transitions, achievements, and work on the ground, addressing regional nuances. It looked at factors hindering internet connectivity access and use across communities and locations. It discussed the importance of robust digital infrastructure as a prerequisite for the successful uptake of ICT solutions. The session underscored the core role of partnerships across sectors in digital transformation, discussing future trends, challenges, and opportunities to enhance goal delivery.
