On the 49^th World Development Information Day, we emphasize the great potential of ICT to provide effective solutions to many challenges facing humanity, particularly in the context of globalization.

It is now a known fact that ICT can foster economic growth, competitiveness, access to information and knowledge, poverty eradication, and increase social inclusion. The less obvious fact is that ICT is an essential component of the ongoing fight against climate change. What is more, ICT presents opportunities and solutions not only to high-income nations with widespread access to new technologies and knowledge; It is also capable of addressing many of the impediments that the world’s developing countries face, such as insufficient resources, infrastructure, investment, access to education, connectivity and issues related to technology ownership, standards, and flows, and of course the environmental degradation. The digital divide in access to information and communications technology tools and broadband connectivity between countries at different levels of income and development affects many economically and socially relevant applications in areas, such as government, business, health, education, and environment and slows down the fight against our common challenges.

The establishment of the World Development Information Day

To call attention to this issue, 49 years ago, the UN General Assembly established the World Development Information Day to highlight the most pressing development problems and emphasize the need to strengthen international cooperation to solve them. Recognizing the magnitude of the issue, the Assembly decided that the date for the World Development Information Day should coincide with the United Nations Day (i.e., October 24), which was also the date of the adoption of the International Development Strategy for the Second United Nations Development Decade. The Assembly deemed that improving the dissemination of information and greater mobilization of public opinion, particularly among the youth, would lead to greater awareness of the development issues, thus, promoting efforts in the sphere of international cooperation for development.

THE Digital for Planet approach

D4P addresses this topic, especially in the context of greening the ICT sector to protect the environment. The association has been created as a response to our ever-growing dependence on digital technologies and solutions that, on the one hand, allow us to access essential services (e.g., health care, education), make the use of scarce resources more efficient, and optimize various processes, but, on the other, put a strain on the environment. We recognize the enormous potential of advancing technologies but we are also well aware of the negative impact digital technologies and their overconsumption have on our planet. The work of our association focuses on driving and promoting the adoption of sustainable digital technologies across a variety of domains to help public and private organizations, businesses, cities, and communities develop sustainably, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

We are keen to explore interesting collaboration opportunities – if you see possible synergies, please get in touch!