Page 138 - SAMENA Trends - September-October 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Broadband Commission Highlight’s Role of Digital Technology in Globe’s

Future - Commissioners Address Pandemic-Driven Realities and Review

Next Steps for Meaningful Universal Connectivity

Digital technologies should form the Advocacy targets aimed at broadband the opening of the 77th Session of the U.N.
foundation of education and skills-building development General Assembly, the Commission called
as communities continue to adapt to To mobilize efforts to achieve universal for universal, inclusive and affordable
the realities brought on by the COVID-19 connectivity–the international aim to connectivity for the digital transformation
pandemic, according to the Broadband connect all of humanity to the Internet—the of education. “Accelerating broadband
Commission for Sustainable Development, Broadband Commission puts broadband for the new realities of a rapidly changing
which met on Sunday at its annual fall connectivity at the forefront of global policy world is as important as it is timely,” said
meeting. The Broadband Commission, discussions. The Commission’s “2025 Catherine M. Russell, Executive Director
made up of public and private sector Advocacy Targets“ focus on providing of UNICEF and a Commissioner of the
leaders, makes policy recommendations policy and programmatic guidance Broadband Commission, who hosted the
centered around broadband connectivity for national and international action in meeting. “Three years since UNICEF and ITU
to accelerate progress toward achieving broadband development. About 2.7 billion launched the Giga initiative with this group
the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable people— one-third of the global population— of Commissioners, we have connected
Development. At the New York meeting, the still lack access to the Internet, with even more than 2 million children to the Internet.
global technology and development body fewer people enjoying reliable broadband However, the global learning crisis remains
also emphasized the need for public-private access, according to the latest statistics real and the pandemic has made it worse.
cooperation to develop national strategies from the International Telecommunication The Transforming Education Summit is a
to enhance digital skills and advance school Union (ITU). With only three years left rare opportunity to drive new commitments
connectivity. “We have made significant to meet the Commission’s set of seven and investments in innovation so we can
progress globally in ensuring universal targets, the fall meeting set out to address reach every child.”
access to broadband continues to improve, the remaining gaps for reaching universal Smaller businesses can make big
but much remains to be done,” said Paula broadband connectivity. “The successful contributions
Ingabire, Rwanda’s Minister of Information expansion and rapid adoption of high- The meeting also explored innovative
Communication Technology and Innovation speed connectivity experienced over the approaches to increasing affordability of
representing Rwandan President Paul recent decades, and especially over the access to digital services and devices—
Kagame, Co-Chair of the Commission. “The last two years of the pandemic, has been including for home-based work and
mission of the Broadband Commission transformative for our daily lives, societies learning—with a focus on micro, small
still rings as relevant today as when it and economies,” said Commission Co- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs)
was first formed. We must continue to Chair Carlos Slim. “Digital services that and the most vulnerable populations.
strive for universal access to meaningful, have proven so essential during this crisis The approaches examined considered
safe, secure, and sustainable broadband are however still out of reach, too expensive the current economic environment. “I
communications services that are or complicated to use for too many people am pleased that MSMEs are featured
reflective of human and children’s rights. around the world.” prominently in this year’s State of
Public-private partnerships continue to be Technology’s role in education Broadband report,” said ITU Secretary-
a key tactic towards enabling us to achieve During the meeting, convened ahead of the General Houlin Zhao, a Co-Vice Chair of
this objective.” U.N.’s Transforming Education Summit at the Commission. “Innovation does not

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