Addressing Connectivity for the Sustainable Development of SIDS
International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
#SDGAction40085
Description
This project is of paramount importance to the countries forming the Pacific Islands. It seeks to improve connectivity with reliable communications systems that would not only contribute to socio-economic development but could also contribute to saving lives when disasters strike. As terrestrial networks are easily disrupted by disasters owing to their vulnerability, satellite communications becomes the system of choice in such circumstances. Each partner will provide their commitment to ITU. ITU having the experience in project management on all information and communication technology projects will take the lead. ITU will utilize the commitment from partners be it cash or in-kind and reports periodically to the partners as well as beneficiary countries.
The arrangement for capacity building will be cross cutting taking into account the objectives of the project as follows:201 To understand the present situation of satellite usage in the Pacific Island countries and availability of un-used satellite capacity;2.2) To develop strategies and identify best options for rural/remote communication development in the Pacific region utilizing un-used satellite capacities available;2.3) To develop low-cost, reliable, and diverse satellite capacity for the Pacific Islands region;2.4) To integrate emergency communications into the established community e-centres and/or develop a deployable emergency communications system to be transportable and easily deployable for disaster management and relief activities to any concerned country in the Pacific Islands region;2.5) Collect and develop a bundled software packages including, but not limited to: Operating System; Office applications; Multi-media (e.g. audio, photo, video) editors and managers; Content Management System for development of personal and/or community portals; Applications for community radio; Security software;2.6) Provide available and useful ICT applications (both mobile- and computer-based) for health, education and agriculture sectors;2.7) To develop a network management system (NMS);2.8) To build/enhance human capacity for local communities and individuals by organizing training-of-trainers as well as user training in the context of an outreach programme.Since there will be no incubators in projects planned by this partnership, there is unlikely to be any technology transfer taking into account the true meaning of the term. However, regional training on satellite operation and maintenance will be conducted twice a year to ensure that local people acquire new skills that updated throughout the life of the project. Further, training on basic use of computer applications and the Internet will be conducted in schools and local community to empower them and gain new knowledge to take part in e-education, e and m-health, communicating to families in other towns and overseas, environment and agricultural information. More importantly, local people will use the e-center as a marketing tool for tourism and local products.
The ITU is the lead partner in this partnership and the implementation agency. Each partner brings in a contribution to the partnership whether it is cash or in-kind. The ITU has experience in project manager and will provide seed funding for projects. Development meetings will be conducted monthly. Every quarter, ITU provides details reports to the partners.
SDGS & Targets
Goal 14
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
14.1
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
14.1.1
(a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density
14.2
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
14.2.1
Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas
14.3
Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
14.3.1
14.4
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
14.4.1
14.5
By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
14.5.1
14.6
By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation
14.6.1
Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
14.7
By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
14.7.1
Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries
14.a
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
14.a.1
14.b
Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
14.b.1
Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries
14.c
Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"
14.c.1
Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources
SDG 14 targets covered
Deliverables & Timeline
Resources mobilized
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SDGs
Region
- Africa
- Europe
- Asia and Pacific
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Contact Information
Gisa Fuatai Purcell, Head, LSE Divistion