Digital with Purpose: Accelerating action and transformative pathways for delivering on the SDGs

The session will make the case for accelerating action for an inclusive digital transformation as a pathway to deliver on the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, the SDGs and response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The adoption of meaningful digital technologies and solutions, ICT infrastructure and leveraging South-South and triangular cooperation will be key to address the existing digital divides in developing countries. 

The event will include: 

• Presentation of the Digital with Purpose report findings and movement
• Recommendations on strengthening the capacities for developing countries through south-south and triangular cooperation to improve, absorb and adapt technology and skills to meet their specific developmental needs
• Showcase good practices from the Global South on integrating digital technologies, telecommunication/ICT innovation and digitalization in national development agendas, including ICT innovations on COVID-19 responses
• Call-to-action to strengthen partnerships and the opportunity of leveraging and setting out a pathway to cross-sector collaboration that can deliver on this vision

PROGRAMME: 

Session MC/Moderator
Ms. Ursula Wynhoven, Head ITU Liaison Office to the United Nations 

Opening and Welcoming Remarks: 

H.E. Ms. Milica Pejanović Đurišić, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Montenegro to the United Nations
H.E. Ms. Rabab Fatima, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations
Mr. Malcolm Johnson, Deputy Secretary-General, International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Mr. Jorge Chediek, UNOSSC Director and Envoy of the Secretary-General on South-South Cooperation 

Presentation on Digital with Purpose 

Screening of video Digital with Purpose: 

Mr. James Gowen, Chairman, Global Enabling Sustainability Initiative (GeSI), Vice President of Global Supply Chain and Chief Sustainability Officer, Verizon 

Panel discussion with country representatives: 

Mr. Ibrahima Guimba Saidou, Minister Special Advisor to the President of the Republic of Niger, Directeur Général / CEO Agence Nationale pour la Société de l'Information
Mr. Martin Olmos, Undersecretary of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Argentina 

Q & A interaction with audience 

Wrap up and Closing: 

Ms. Xiaojun Grace Wang, Deputy Director of UNOSSC 

ABOUT ITU: The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs). ITU allocates global radio spectrum and satellite orbits, develops the technical standards that ensure networks and technologies seamlessly interconnect, and strive to improve access to ICTs to underserved communities worldwide. ITU is committed to connecting all the world's people – wherever they live and whatever their means. 

ABOUT GESI: The Global Enabling Sustainability Initiative (GeSI) is a multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder organization made up of international members and partners committed to creating and promoting digital technologies and practices that foster economic, environmental and social sustainability. 

ABOUT UNOSSC: The United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) is a knowledge hub providing advisory and consulting services to all stakeholders on South-South and triangular cooperation. It enables developing countries to effectively face their development challenges and harness opportunities to address them. UNOSSC engages with Member States globally and regionally, as well as within the UN system to facilitate practical expressions of Southern solidarity towards the achievement of internationally agreed development goals.