This virtual session is a space for participants and the development community to learn, share and explore the measures being taken by UN Agencies, governments and the digital industry to provide resilient connectivity - through access to broadband - and its importance in current global crises like COVID-19.
This empirical study examines the economic impact of fixed and mobile broadband in the least developed countries (LDCs), landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) and small island developing states (SIDS). These 91 most vulnerable countries have to date been largely neglected in studies of this kind, yet broadband technology offers potential for a step change in their economic and social development. A growing body of evidence indicates that broadband Internet, and information and communication technologies (ICT) in general, promote economic development.
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Dear Colleagues,
I would like to welcome you to this briefing for the Permanent Missions of the LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS.
The report outlines challenges and successes encountered by four countries and is a summary of the four reports prepared by the Broadband Commission’s Working Group on Broadband for the most vulnerable countries. Lessons learnt are presented from four evidence-based country studies in Cambodia, Rwanda, Senegal and Vanuatu. This summary report also incorporates lessons learnt from related recent reports.
The case of Rwanda //
Broadband offers a way to diversify and add value to the economy and information and communication technology (ICT) is key crosscutting enabler for the country’s development strategy. The government is intent on increasing the service sector to reduce reliance on traditional agricultural production and exports. The country’s Vision 2020 calls for Rwanda becoming a middle-income knowledge economy with ICT considered one of the three crosscutting areas for achieving the vision.
The case of Senegal //
