In today’s digital age, the challenge of ensuring meaningful connectivity for all has become increasingly vital. It’s no longer just about getting everyone online, but about providing a safe, enriching, and affordable online experience. Unfortunately, for least developed countries (LDCs), this remains a significant hurdle as the digital gap between them and the rest of the world continues to widen.
This year, World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) shines a spotlight on “Empowering the least developed countries through information and communication technologies.” The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is calling on both public and private sectors to commit to universal connectivity and digital transformation in these nations through its Partner2Connect Digital Coalition.
With the deadline for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 quickly approaching, it’s essential that the needs of LDCs are met to unlock their full potential as a valuable resource for sustainable growth. By investing in these dynamic countries, we can lay the foundation for generations to come. Let’s work together to ensure that 2023 is a year of progress in digital transformation for the least developed countries.
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, established to promote the possibilities that internet and information and communication technologies (ICTs) can bring to societies and economies, falls on 17th May each year. This date commemorates the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention and the establishment of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Since 1969, World Telecommunication Day has been celebrated annually on 17th May to honor the founding of ITU and the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention in 1865. It was officially established by the Plenipotentiary Conference in Malaga-Torremolinos in 1973 as Resolution 46.
Despite some progress, the latest data shows that in 2022, only 36% of the population in least developed countries (LDCs) were using the Internet, compared to 66% globally. This means that 720 million people in LDCs are still offline, accounting for 27% of the global offline population, despite only representing 14% of the world’s total population. ITU’s report on Measuring digital development highlights the stark reality that universal and meaningful connectivity remains a distant goal for LDCs.
