I believe the global pursuit of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 9 – “Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure” is inextricably linked to the concept of Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D). The connection between SDG 9 and digital transformation reshapes international development and can revolutionize how we communicate and engage with global development initiatives. SDG 9 calls for building resilient infrastructure, fostering innovation, and promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization. SDG 9 and ICT4D also interests me personally, as I currently work in the Information and Technology department for a large international organisation for the past four years.
The current global digital transformation (of course accelerated by the recent COVID-19 Pandemic) aligns well with the objectives of SDG 9, Especially target 9.8, “universal access to information and communications technology” and the goal to increase universal and affordable access to the internet in the least developed nations to transform business processes and services from non-digital to digital. Digital technologies allow for novel approaches to infrastructure development and industrialisation. For example, innovations like the Internet of Things (IoT), Geospatial and Remote Sensing, satellite technologies, and enhanced data analytics allow for more efficient operations in various sectors. For example, USAID uses Geospatial Technology and Analytics in their “GeoCenter” to provide direct program support to USAID staff globally and to inform development decisions on where to prioritise deployment of international development programs around the world. USAID claims it can support, for example, addressing food insecurity, preventing malaria outbreaks, flood preparedness, maternal and child health, conflict prevention, and more.
The rapid increase of access to mobile phones and broadband internet connection in developing regions has created economic opportunities and increased infrastructure development. As mentioned by Harvard CES scholars:
“It is widely accepted that technology is the key driver of economic growth of countries, regions, and cities. Technological progress allows for the more efficient production of more and better goods and services, which is what prosperity depends on.”
Yet, global ICT4D initiatives come with their own set of challenges, for example, the tension between traditional and new forms of communicating about development, digital rights, ethical attention around data privacy, the rise of generative Artificial Intelligence, and the global digital divide, where access to technology remains unequal, as shown in the below graphic:
Image credit: globalgoals.org
In this blog series, I will dive into the intersection of SDG 9, industry innovation and infrastructure, and ICT4D. My next blog post will focus on the 2023 Internet Governance Forum from 8- 12 October 2023. The overarching theme of the forum is ”The Internet We Want – Empowering All People”. The forum calendar is developed around eight interesting themes: “AI and Emerging Technologies; Data Governance; Cybersecurity; Avoiding Internet Fragmentation; Cybercrime and Online Safety; and Trust; Digital Divides and Inclusion; Global Digital Governance and Cooperation; Human Rights and Freedoms; and Sustainability & Environment”. In future posts I will also explore how digital technology can aid international development and how it aligns with the core principles of SDG 9. I will discuss innovative projects, policy changes, and changing roles of the sustainable development goals and objectives.