The Forum is a key platform for discussing the role of ICTs as a means of implementation of the SDGs and targets, with due regard to the global mechanism for follow-up and review of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Linking to the ICT related SDGs and Action Lines the focus of a joint participation of ARCTEL and UNU-EGOV at WSIS’2017 aim to  articulate the following two topics on

EGOV for sustainable development:

EGOV offers improvement potential in the following areas which are crucial for the developing world: the general provision of public services, statistical and information processes, finance management and tax systems, public participation, and formalization. In the area of public service provision for example in the African context, it is first a matter of providing and setting up the processes and services necessary for state activities under the rule of law. Unfortunately, the necessary data is often non-existent or completely outdated – for example land registers, residential data or geographic data. EGOV offers opportunity to improve these services, even in areas with low literacy rates (e.g. through mechanisms of access to public services facilitated, for example by kiosk systems with voice recognition).

Consistent (and up-to-date) data is a key requirement for development planning. In most developing countries, data relevant to development is hardly available in the quality required. IT applications make it possible to electronically (and often automatically) generate statistical reports, considerably reducing the effort for the party obligated to produce the reports.  

Social innovation through ICT: the SMART experiments

SMART use of technology and data require telecom infrastructure availability at affordable prices and digital literacy. How can SMART city concepts be scaled up to a national or regional level? How can it be scaled down to village level or used in remote rural areas to promote sustainable development, economic grown, quality of life and access to public services? How can specific challenges of emerging economies be overcome through innovative use of technology, alternative access points to the internet (e.g. wi-fi zones and alternative access points at schools, libraries, government buildings and community centers)?

We will talk about SV4D a project that aims to bring access to broadband to rural villages together with the capacity to develop inside projects with the communities.