SDG Digital receives new commitments to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals
Date: 2023-09-19
SDG Digital has received financial, strategic and operational commitments from U.N. member states, the private sector, finance bodies, international organizations and philanthropic foundations to help put the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) back on track.
The high-level SDG Digital event, convened by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) at U.N. Headquarters, stepped up digital support for the world's 2030 Agenda as part of the SDG Action Weekend of the United Nations.
In
remarks at the SDG Digital opening, U.N. Deputy Secretary-General Amina J.
Mohammed, said: “Digital technologies,
when used safely and responsibly, can be catalysts of economic, social and
societal transformation by creating efficiencies at scale and expanding the
reach of existing solutions to support more people."
ITU
Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin, said: “We are grateful to all those who are dedicating resources to the
urgent mission of connecting the world. Together we can build a future where
everyone, everywhere, can be part of a safe, inclusive and sustainable digital
world."
According to the SDG Digital Acceleration Agenda launched at SDG Digital, digital technologies can
benefit 119 of the 169 SDG targets, or about 70 per cent, including areas such
as climate action, education, hunger and poverty.
Key institutions including the Global Satellite Operators Association (GSOA), Google, Microsoft, Millicom, Telenor, ZTE, the Republic of Korea, and the Government of Saudi Arabia announced new pledges to advance progress towards universal and meaningful connectivity, and sustainable digital transformation.
They build on over 750 pledges valued at over USD 32 billion
received to date since the launch of the Partners2Connect Digital Coalition campaign in February 2022. Earlier this year, the coalition issued a global appeal for USD 100 billion by 2026 to increase investment in universal and affordable connectivity.
