Page 9 - SAMENA Trends - September 2023

SAMENA COUNCIL ACTIVITY SAMENA TRENDS

comes amid the recent ITU announcement • defining measurable goals;
that 2.6 billion people across the world still • addressing barriers to Internet use where
lack access to the Internet in 2023. The coverage is available;
reduction from the estimated 2.7 billion • broadening the contributor base
people offline in 2022 leaves about one- and implementing creative funding
third of the global population unconnected. approaches;
This year's Annual Meeting also took place • aligning and incentivizing funding
ahead of SDG Digital, an event convened by contributors;
the International Telecommunication Union • building sustainable network
(ITU) and United Nations Development Pro- infrastructure policies.
gram (UNDP) to highlight how digital solu- "Rapid technological advancements hold
tions can support the UN's 2030 Agenda for transformative potential that, together with
Sustainable Development. "Tech is racing a renewed global solidarity and international
ahead and billions of people are being left cooperation, will play an essential role to
behind,” said ITU Secretary-General Doreen attain the international development goals,"
Bogdan-Martin, a Co-Vice Chair of the Com- said Dr. Tawfik Jelassi, Assistant Director-
mission. “Our task is to invest in affordable General for Communication and
broadband, digital skills, and everything Information, UNESCO. “The Broadband
that makes connectivity meaningful." At Commission and UNESCO remain
the meeting, the Broadband Commission committed to fostering this crucial multi- Connectivity for MSMEs, chaired by ITC and
launched “State of Broadband Report: 2023 stakeholder dialogue and producing the GSMA, presented findings and
Digital Connectivity – A Transformative Op- strategic foresight that will help us set recommendations of their final reports
portunity." The latest edition of the annual international standards and lead the way in during the Annual Meeting. Over 50
report reviews the progress of seven Global leveraging ICTs for sustainable digital Commissioners and representatives
Advocacy Targets and highlights the oppor- transformation." The Broadband attended the Broadband Commission
tunities that would come from broadband Commission develops policy meeting. This included government leaders,
that is universally available, equitable and recommendations and thought leadership as well as heads of international
affordable. This year's report notes that focused on the use of broadband organizations, private sector companies,
market trends for consumption and supply connectivity to accelerate progress toward civil society and academia. Special guests
are shifting despite gains in connectivity. achieving the UN's 2030 Agenda for attending this year's Annual Meeting
Those trends may not be strong enough Sustainable Development and universal included: Mondli Gungubele, Minister of
to guarantee that the objective of universal and meaningful connectivity. To mobilize Communications and Digital Technologies
and meaningful connectivity will be met by efforts to bring the life-changing benefits of of South Africa; Jessica Rosenworcel,
2030. digital transformation to everyone, the Chairwoman of the U.S. Federal
The report offers five considerations for Broadband Commission puts broadband Communications Commission; and Kyoung
how future efforts on connectivity for connectivity at the forefront of global policy Yul Bae, President, Korea Information
digital transformation should be financed discussions. A Working Group on Data for Society Development Institute (KISDI).
and funded: Learning, chaired by UNESCO, and one on

9 SEPTEMBER 2023