Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development Holds Annual Meeting

The Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development met to reaffirm its call for digital cooperation, innovation with information and communication technologies (ICTs), and collaborative approaches to secure universal connectivity and access to digital skills. More than 50 Commissioners and special guests – representing government leaders, heads of international organizations and private sector companies, civil society and academia – discussed people-centered solutions which must be at the heart of building a sustainable path towards universal broadband. The Annual Fall Meeting was held in a virtual format and underscored the need to accelerate digital connectivity to fulfill the United Nations Agenda for 2030, focusing on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Furthermore, the Commission's State of Broadband Report 2021​ that was released during the meeting outlines the impact of pandemic policies and calls for a concerted push to close the world's persistent digital divide. The commissioners – recognizing the increasing role of digital technologies in all facets of economic activity – shared current strategies to incentivize investment in digital literacy, connectivity, and skills.