International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

1. Since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, has the governing body of your organization taken (or will it take) any decisions or new strategies to guide the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs? If any, please provide a brief summary below, including the overarching vision of your organization.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is governed by the Plenipotentiary Conference and the Administrative Council. The Plenipotentiary Conference is the supreme organ of the Union and the decision making-body, which determines the direction of the Union and its activities. At the Plenipotentiary conference 2018 in the United Arab Emirates (29 October to 16th November 2018) ITU members approved the Strategic plan for the Union for 2020-2023 (Resolution 71, Revised Dubai 2018), updating the Strategic Plan. This Strategic Plan, covering the time-frame 2020-2023, is the first Strategic Plan fully within the time-frame of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The ITU Secretariat, the Council Working Group and members at the Plenipotentiary Conference have worked on drafting this new Strategic Plan with both clear links to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and a vision to have an impact in achieving the SDGs. It includes a whole section entitled "Linkages with the Sustainable Development Goals" where the most relevant SDG Goals for ITU are clearly highlighted: SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and Target 9.c, SDG17 (Partnership for the Goals) as a means of implementation, SDG 4 (Quality Education including Target 4.b) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality including Target 5.b) as well as others where Information Communication Technologies (ICTs), enabled by ITU activities, will have the biggest impacts, such as SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 3 (Good-Health and Well-Being). In addition the revised Resolution 200 entitled "Connect 2030 Agenda for global telecommunication/information and communication technology, including broadband, for sustainable development" closely aligns with the SDGs and their timeframe.

This is further re-enforced through the linkages to the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) Action Lines, most notably those where ITU is the sole Action Line facilitator; C2 (Information and communication infrastructure), C5 (Building confidence and security in the use of ICTs) and C6 (Enabling environment). Indeed, as a key partner in the WSIS process ITU contributes to the WSIS contributions to the SDGs reflected in the annual ECOSOC Resolutions on the Assessment of the progress made in the implementation of and the follow-up top the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society. The latest document herein highlights the ITU Contributions to the Implementation of the WSIS Outcomes 2017 (https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/unsurvey/attachments/2017_ITU_Contribution_to_WSIS-Implementation.pdf).

The governing bodies of the ITU Sectors have also embedded the SDGs as key goals in their activities. Revisions specifically recognize the 2030 Agenda as having substantial implications for the activities of ITU, such that they will contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, through and in harmony with the WSIS framework and reflected in their operational plans. This is reflected in the final acts of the Plenipotentiary conference where the SDGs are referenced in numerous decisions, resolutions and recommendations.

2.1 SDG-specific strategies, plans or work programmes

Since the adoption of the UNGA Resolution "Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development" ITU partnerships (Memorandums of Understanding, Joint Declarations, etc.) have strongly focused on impacts on the SDGs, often referring very clearly to their cross-cutting nature and respective mandates. For example partnerships have been created with UNIDO (SDG 9), FAO (SDG 2), WHO (SDG 3) and an e-waste coalition (SDG 12) as well as projects and activities addressing specific SDG Targets like ITU's Gender Equality activities such as the EQUALS Partnership (SDG5).

ITU activities in support of the SDGs are also closely monitored, tracked and reported at numerous levels, including in a dedicated online platform (www.itu.int/sdgmappingtool).The purpose of the ITU 'SDG Mapping Tool' is to provide a comprehensive visual view of how ITU activities contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals, by visualizing mapping and linkage of the following frameworks: ITU strategic framework, Connect 2030, WSIS Action Lines and SDGs. The tool aims to address and simplify reporting requirements towards the SDG implementation. To engage the private sector and other ITU non-State members a strong communication tools on the role of ICTs for the achievement of the SDGs on all platforms (#ICT4SDG) have been created and a dedicated microsite (http://www.itu.int/ict4sdg).

2.2 Aligning the structure of the organization with the transformative features of the 2030 Agenda, including any challenges and lessons learned in doing so

ITU's Plenipotentiary Conference, which took place between the 29 October and 16 November in Dubai (UAE) Has approved a new Strategic Plan, covering the time-frame 2020-2023, as well as the accompanying Financial Plans and Results Based Management (RBM) Framework. These are the first within the time-frame of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, designed to maximise the impact of ITU's activities in achieving the SDGs. The concept of "leaving no one behind" referred to in the Strategic Plan as "leaving no one offline", as part of our institutional Goal on inclusiveness, specifically referring to the preamble of the 2030 Agenda.

This will require increased inter-sectoral coordination within ITU to better address, inter-alia, the cross-cutting nature of the SDGs, the cross-cutting nature of ICT impacts on achieving the SDGs and the increasing need to work in partnership with other agencies within the UN System as well as all other relevant stakeholders. This is, in fact, specifically addressed in our Strategic Goals 5 on Partnerships and the new Intersectoral Objective Strategic Plan.

2.3 Readjusting or updating results-based budgeting and management, including performance indicators:

The new Strategic Plan, covering the time-frame 2020-2023, its targets, as well as the accompanying Financial Plans and Results Based Management (RBM) Framework, are the first within the time-frame of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and are designed to maximise the impact of ITU's activities in achieving the SDGs.

2.4 Action to enhance support to the principle of "leaving no one behind" and to integrated policy approaches:

The concept of "leaving no one behind" has been adapted to ITU's mandate as "leaving no one offline" and is in our new Strategic Plan, included as part of our institutional Goal on inclusiveness, specifically referring to the preamble of the 2030 Agenda.

2.5 Others:

With the recently revision to the Strategic Plan approved at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference at the end of 2018, including strong links with the SDGs, it is likely that internal processes will have to adapt to ensure its implementation and will further align ITU activities with the achievement of the SDGs.

3.1 Mainstreaming the SDGs in development plans and policies or through national sustainable development plans/strategies:

The cross-cutting impact of ICTs for the SDGs as an enabler, highlighted in SDG 17.8, is strongly emphasised to Members States, including, as will be highlighted in section 4, when countries presenting their VNRs at the HLPF.

In addition, to bridge the standardization gap, ITU has a free online access policy, which provides a very large dissemination of ITU publications to a broader public, especially in developing countries with financial and technical constraints. These include publications on, for instance, ITU Standards, the use of telecommunications/ICTs for ensuring disaster preparedness, early warning, rescue, mitigation, relief and response, and the establishment of modern and secure telecommunication/ICT infrastructure to further foster the development of innovative products and services, including building confidence and security in the use of telecommunications/ICTs for sustainable development.

3.2 Mainstreaming the SDGs in sectoral strategies, including specific SDG/target strategies:

3.3 Data and statistical capacity building:

Data and Capacity-building activities are carried out for the completion of the following annual ITU reports; ICT Facts and Figures, ITU Measuring the Information Society Report, the ITU ICT Development Index and the annual review of progress report on the accomplishment of the Connect 2020 Agenda. These reports require robust data from Member States, some of which are aligned with the SDG Indicators that both Member States may report on regarding their progress in addressing the SDGs and ITU's contribution to monitoring SDG indicators. Capacity-building activities are also regularly organized in ITU Regions for the benefit of Member States.

ITU assists Member States in the use of Big Data for capacity building in health, development and other areas of application. In the area of Cybersecurity, the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) measures the commitment of countries to cybersecurity development at a global level. The GCI is also used to raise awareness of the importance and different dimensions of cybersecurity efforts. As cybersecurity has a broad field of application, cutting across many industries and various sectors, each country's level of development or engagement is assessed along five pillars - (i) Legal Measures, (ii) Technical Measures, (iii) Organizational Measures, (iv) Capacity Building, and (v) Cooperation.

3.4 Science, technology and innovation for the SDGs:

IoT (Internet of Things) Week 2017, for example, concluded with the adoption of the Internet of Things Declaration to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (http://iot-week.eu/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/IoT4SDG-Declaration.pdf) on 9 June 2017 by all the participants. This Declaration encapsulates the core activities to be implemented for the use of IoT as a key enabler to attain the targets stipulated in the SDGs. The Declaration also provides a mapping of these core activities vis-à-vis the SDGs that it will assist in addressing. In the area of ICT, ITU provides technical and technological assistance to its Member States in various fields of application, including regulatory, health, cybersecurity, emergency telecommunication, infrastructure development, standardization, spectrum management and allocation, radiocommunication, etc.

3.5 Multi-stakeholder partnerships:

The mainstreaming of the SDGs throughout ICT activities is evident through the myriad of resolutions within ITU Sector activities that specifically or tacitly refer to SDG Goals, Targets or Indicators. As referred to in section 2 numerous Partnerships such as Memorandums of Understanding and Joint Declarations refer directly to the SDGs. In addition, ITU is a key partner in Partnerships which directly impact on the SDGs, such as the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development and the EQUALS Partnership. Also, ITU is a key partner to many Member States, Sector Members and organizations in the area of Cybersecurity development with partnerships such as the World Bank, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), World Economic Forum (WEF), European Cybersecurity Organization (ECSO), Silensec, Guardtime, etc.

3.6 Sub-national plans/strategies and implementation for the SDGs:

ICTs are key enabler for many industries and sectors, including agriculture, health, energy, etc. ITU at large contributes to the drafting, reviews and implementation of national plans and strategies in telecommunication/ICTs, which are which have implications in national development plans/strategies/implementation, including for the achievement of the SDGs.

3.7 Leveraging interlinkages across SDG goals and targets:

For ITU the main SDG target is SDG 9c "Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet in least developed countries by 2020". Indeed, ITU's contribution to the achievement of the SDGs requires access to ICTs (Information Communication Technologies) and the internet. Consequently, ITU is often leveraging linkages across SDGs and is a key partner in Partnerships such as the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development and the EQUALS Partnership, which address links between SDGs.

3.8 Others:

The dedicated microsite (http://www.itu.int/ict4sdg) on ICTs for the SDGs is also a repository of resources addressing the cross-cutting enabling role of ICTs for SDGs. Lastly, ITU is activity involved in the Geneva Ecosystem and UNOG activities addressing linkages across SDG Goals and Targets with all relevant stakeholders.

4.1 Supporting the intergovernmental body of your organization in contributing to the thematic review of the HLPF:

2018

ITU's main input to the HLPF 2018 consisted of the ITU Council contribution, at the request of the ECOSOC President. In addition, ITU submitted the WSIS Forum 2018 outcomes.

2017

ITU's main input to the HLPF 2017 consisted of the ITU Council contribution, at the request of the ECOSOC President. In addition, ITU submitted the WSIS Forum 2017 outcomes, and made a submission on behalf of the Partnership on Measuring ICT for Development. An Open Letter from the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development to the 2017 HLPF was also submitted to the United Nations Secretary-General and the President of ECOSOC.

ITU provided oral and written statements under agenda items covering the reviews of Goal 5, Goal 9 and Goal 17 during the deliberations, highlighting the role of ICTs as an enabling tool to meet the respective goal. the power of ICTs to fast-forward progress on the SDGs and to work with all to eradicate poverty and promote prosperity in today's changing world. The statement also highlights and takes note of the increased emphasis on ICTs in this year's VNRs.

2016

ITU's main input to HLPF 2016 consisted of the ITU Council contribution, at the request of the ECOSOC President. In addition, ITU submitted the WSIS Forum 2016 outcomes and made a submission on behalf of the Partnership on Measuring ICT for Development. An Open Letter from the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development to the 2017 HLPF was also submitted to the United Nations Secretary-General and the President of ECOSOC.

4.2 Contributing to policy/background briefs for the HLPF:

2018

ITU contributed to the Inter-agency Task Force on Financing for Development report "Financing for Development: Progress and Prospects 2018", as well as to the report "System-wide Collaboration on the Environment".

2017

ITU contributed to the thematic background notes provided by members of Executive Committee on Economic and Social Affairs (ECESA Plus) as a coordinated contribution by the UN system to the 2017 HLPF:

Note on Thematic Review of SDG 1: End Poverty in All its Forms Everywhere,
Note on Thematic Review of SDG 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture,
Note on Thematic Review of SDG 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages,
Note on Thematic Review of SDG 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls,
Note on Thematic Review of SDG 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation (co-lead by ITU, WIPO, UNCTAD, UNIDO and the World Bank), and
Note on Thematic Review of SDG 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

In addition, ITU contributed to the Inter-agency Task Force on Financing for Development report "Financing for Development: Progress and Prospects 2017", and the outcome document of the Multi-stakeholder forum on science, technology and innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals.

2016

ITU contributed with two issue briefs, one on "Inclusive Digital Financing Services" and another on "Financing for ICT Infrastructure", through the Inter-agency Task Force on Financing for Development.

4.3 Helping organize SDG-specific events in the preparatory process:

2016 - 2018

ITU, as a member of the Inter-agency Task Team on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs (IATT), collaborates with the 10-Member Group of representatives from civil society, the private sector and the scientific community to shape the annual Multi-stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs (STI Forum), which serves as an input to the HLPF process.

In 2016, consisted of a side event held 6 June 2106, entitled "IoTs, Innovative Technologies for Sustainable Development"

4.4 Organizing side evens or speaking at the HLPF:

2018

The following side events were organized by ITU at HLPF:

"ICT enabling the transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies" organized by ITU in collaboration with UAE, Mexico, GeSI, GSMA and UNIDO. Two WSIS prize winners/champions from UNCTAD and ISOC were also invited to showcase their projects. ITU screened a new short video on ICT4SDGs focusing on SDG’s 6,7,11, 12, 14 and 17, as well a new the brochure “Transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies” published for HLPF 2018.
"Shaping smarter and more sustainable cities - Striving for sustainable development goals" organized by ITU, Greece and UNECE with the collaboration UNESCO, the UAE's Smart Dubai, OiER, Cetic.br and IBI Group. The event featured a lively debate on the impact of frontier technologies on cities and the presentation of the United for Smart Sustainable Cities (U4SSC) KPI initiative.
Synthesis Report Launch "Broadband for national development in four LDCs: Cambodia, Rwanda, Senegal and Vanuatu", organized by ITU, Broadband Commission and UN-OHRLLS. The event included a presentation the High Representative for LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS (UN-OHRLLS) and remarks by representatives of the Broadband Commissioners from Nokia, Inmarsat.

ITU also participated actively in the following events:

"The role of Information and Communication Technologies in the implementation of the targets in SDG 11" organized by UNESCO, SDSN, CETIC and Argentina. Dr. Chaesub Lee was invited as a panellist and delivered opening remarks.
"The Digital Agenda for Latin America and the Caribbean as a catalyst of the SDGs" organized by Colombia, with ITU participation as a panellist together with the Minister of ICT of Colombia, GSMA, Mexico and ECLAC, focusing on the digital agenda for Latin America eLAC2020.
"Using artificial intelligence to combat social exclusion: What can governments do?" organized by Bangladesh, Mexico and hosted by WEF and DESA, with ITU as the "firestarter" to start the discussion on how to ensure that development of AI will not exacerbate existing digital divide or create a new one.

Special event:

Partnership Exchange - Presentation of the United for Smart Sustainable Cities U4SSC partnership (panel discussion) and E-Waste Coalition (showcase session).

Thematic Dialogue (ECOSOC High-level Segment)

"Leveraging new technologies for the SDGs" moderated by ITU (D. Bogdan-Martin) with panellist from DESA, Ghana, Beeck Center for Social Impact and Innovation, STI Forum co-Chairs (Japan & Mexico), and GSMA.

ITU took the floor during the sessions on "Advancing Science, Technology and Innovation for SDGs" and review of SDG 11 on making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable, highlighting the enabling role of ICTs tool to meet the respective goals.

The ITU Secretary-Generals statement to the General Debate was also delivered, reaffirming the Union's commitment to leveraging the power of ICTs to fast-forward progress on the SDGs.

2017

ITU organized the side event: "ICT for sustainable development- How digital solutions can drive progress towards the SDGs" held on 13 July, with the participation of ITU, GeSI, Nokia (Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development WG on Digital Health), UNIDO and Bangladesh. The event was attended by over 60 participants and served to launch the ITU "Fast Forward Progress: Leveraging Tech to Achieve the Global Goals".
ITU was a co-organizer of the side event "High-Level Panel Discussion on ICTs and Poverty Eradication", held on 17 July, together with Vietnam, Italy, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and UNDP
ITU organized a side event on Innovation strategies: Designing national policies that use innovation to meet the SDGs, together with UNCTAD, WIPO and the World Bank

ITU also participated in the following:

The Partnership Exchange Special Event held on 17 July to announce the EQUALS: Global Partnership for Gender Equality in the Digital Age;
ITU was invited as a panellist in the side event "Accelerating Women's Economic Empowerment to Achieve the 2030 Agenda" held on 17, hosted by UN Women, ICC, Costa Rica and UK side event (17 July, 13:15-14:30);
ITU also participated as a speaker in a side event organized by Finland and UNIDO on the "Implications of Technology and Innovation for the future of Manufacturing";
ITU organized a working meeting of focal points of the partners for Equals on 18 July, with over 50 participants attending from the hub in NY (held in WIPO), the hub in ITU Geneva, and several others joined remotely. ITU Secretary-General joined the meeting at the closing to thank all members to their support to bridge the growing digital gender gap;
Side event "Science- technology- innovation: Closing the gender gap to meet the SDGs" hosted by WIPO, UNESCO and UN WOMEN, held on 12 July;
"G-STIC 2017: the first in a series of Global Science, Technology & Innovation Conferences" hosted by Belgium and G-STIC -VITO Flemish Institute for Technological Research, held on 12 July;
"Eradicating Poverty and Promoting Prosperity in a Changing World: the use of space-based technologies and applications for Sustainable Development" hosted Austria, UNOOSA and Ethiopia, held on 18 July;
Locals2030: Hub for Sustainability Solutions special event where a presentation of KPI's of the United for Smart Sustainable Cities (U4SSC) initiative was made by Kari Aina EIK / John Smiciklas, Chairman of the working group on key performance indicators;
"The SDGs in Action - Eradicating poverty & promoting inclusive prosperity in a changing world" organized under the aegis of the Sustainable Development and Sustaining Peace Results Group, co-chaired by UNDP and PBSO, held on 18 July;
"ICT Integrated Innovative Education for Global Citizenship to Eliminate Poverty", organized by the Baha'I International, held on 19 July.

The ITU Secretary-General's statement during the General Debate was delivered reaffirming the Union's commitment to leveraging the power of ICTs to fast-forward progress on the SDGs and to work with all to eradicate poverty and promote prosperity in today's changing world. The statement also highlights and takes note of the increased emphasis on ICTs in this year's VNRs.

2016

In collaboration with GeSI (Global e-Sustainability Initiative) ITU organized a side-event on the 15th of July 2016 on: ICTs as a catalyst for sustainable development - from inspiration to action and the multi-stakeholder engagement for implementation, which served to present the GeSI report "#SystemTransformation : How digital solutions will drive progress towards the sustainable development goals", also sponsored by ITU. The event was well attended and included panellists from ITU, GeSI (Accenture, Verizon), GSMA, and WEF.

The ITU Secretary-General's statement to the General debate was delivered, highlighting the Broadband Commission Open Statement and WSIS Contributions.

Statements were also delivered during the multi-stakeholder partnership session and the closing panel on emerging technologies and proposals for the future.

4.5 Supporting VNR process:

ITU Secretary-General periodically requests government officials to ensure highlighting in the VNR reports the importance of ICT for sustainable development as a cross-cutting enabler and accelerator for critical issues in implementation of the sustainable development goals. Highlights could include illustrating good practices, lessons learned, challenges, opportunities and support required in terms of finance, capacity building, technology, partnerships, etc.. References to policy and enabling environment measures with key stakeholders including national and local government, legislative bodies, the public, civil society, and the private sector are encouraged.

2017-2018

ITU has participated in the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs "Knowledge Exchange" sessions (2017 & 2018) held in Geneva between the countries that will be presenting their Voluntary National Reviews and the UN system and other international organizations and stakeholder partners.

2016-2018

ITU provided annual briefing sessions on ICT4SDGs to Permanent Mission in New York, in particular targeted to the VNR countries. During these sessions, ITU resources and publications are made available.

In addition in 2017, ITU Secretary-General and UN Women Executive Director sent a joint letter addressed to the 44 Member States presenting VNRs, encouraging them to highlight in the reports the important role of ICTs in developing both gender equality and gender empowerment, policy measures, including universal service funds, that the countries have undertaken to bridge the gender divide.

5. How has your organization cooperated with other UN system organizations to achieve coherence and synergies in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs? In this regard, has your organization launched or intend to launch any joint programmes or projects in collaboration with other UN entities? Are there any results or lessons you would like to highlight that might help improve the design and impact of such efforts? Has your organization participated in any of the following coordination systemwide mechanisms or any other relevant platform - CEB, UNDG, EC-ESA Plus, RCMs, UN-Energy, UN-Water, UN-Ocean, IAEG, IATT? Please specify which and indicate any suggestions you may have about improving collaborations within and across these mechanisms/platforms:

As a United Nations Specialized Agency, ITU collaborates, participates, and interacts within the United Nations system, its governance processes, subsidiary mechanisms, inter-agency coordination networks and through joint initiatives, to strengthen synergies and foster greater cooperation, information and knowledge sharing to achieve coherence in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.

In this regard, ITU participates in the following coordination mechanisms, inter alia:

Chief Executive Board for Coordination
High Level Committee on Programmes
High Level Committee on Management
Interagency Task Team on Science, Technology and Innovation as part of the Technology Facilitation Mechanism entrusted with the STI Forum and Online Platform
Interagency Task Team on Financing for Development
United Nations Sustainable Development Group (including UNDAFs)
High Level Committee on Programmes
High Level Committee on Management
Interagency Task Team on Science, Technology and Innovation as part of the Technology Facilitation Mechanism entrusted with the STI Forum and Online Platform
Interagency Task Team on Financing for Development
United Nations Sustainable Development Group (including UNDAFs)

ITU also participates actively in the work of various other inter-agency mechanisms and networks, among these: Inter-Agency Network on Women and Gender Equality (IANWGE); the Inter-Agency and Expert Group on Gender Statistics; the Inter-Agency Network on Youth Development (IANYD); the UN Global Working Group (GWG) on Big Data for Official Statistics; the UN Environment Management Group (EMG); the UN Inter-Agency Task Team on Technology Bank; the Inter-Agency Standing Committee on Emergency Telecommunications; the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space; the UN Communication group; the Inter-Agency Task Force on Africa; the Inter-agency Consultative Groups on LDCs/SIDS; the Inter-Agency Support Group on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (IASG); and the UN Strategic Planning Network.

Below are some key initiatives with other UN Funds, Programmes and Specialized Agencies:

EQUALS: The Global Partnership for Gender Equality in the Digital Age implemented by ITU, UN Women, ITC, UNU-CS, GSMA;
Digital Skills for Decent Jobs Campaign lead by ILO and ITU;
B-Healthy B-Mobile WHO/ITU joint programme;
Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development lead by ITU and UNESCO;
United For Smart Sustainable Cities, led by ITU and UNECE
Partnership on Measuring ICT for Development
E-Waste Coalition
Number of global partnerships in the area of Cybersecurity

Furthermore, ITU continued to work closely with the UN Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, and the UN Office of the Special Adviser on Africa to bring the potential of ICTs/broadband for sustainable development to these groups of countries requiring particular attention.ITU has also embarked on strengthening joint collaboration with UN entities through collaboration agreements, such as the ones on agriculture (SDG2) and ICTs with FAO; with UNIDO on SDG9 industry, infrastructure and innovation; and with WHO on SDG 3.
ITU also led the elaboration of the WSIS Matrix to map and link WSIS Action Lines with the SDGs. The matrix was a joint effort with UNESCO, UNDP, UNCTAD, UNDESA, FAO, WHO, UPU, UNEP, ITC, ILO and WMO.

6. How has your organization engaged with stakeholder groups, both in supporting implementation at the country, regional and global levels, and within your own organization? If yes, please provide main highlights, including any lessons learned:

ITU's membership, which includes private sector and academia in addition to the ones engaged by all UN Agencies, enables the organization to involve a vast variety of stakeholders. For example:

EQUALS: The Global Partnership for Gender Equality in the Digital Age implemented by ITU, UN Women, ITC, UNU-CS, GSMA;
The Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development lead by ITU and UNESCO; which includes strong private sector engagement
ITU and UNECE have launched the United for Smart Sustainable Cities (U4SSC) United for Smart Sustainable Cities (U4SSC), a global initiative which advocates for public policy to encourage the use of ICTs in enabling the transition to smart sustainable cities. U4SSC is supported by 17 United Nations Agencies and Regional Commissions, and is open to all United Nations agencies, municipalities, industry, academia, and other relevant stakeholders.
ITU, UN Environment and UNU on e-waste.
Engagement with Academia has, for example has lead to a partnership with University of La Plata of Argentina leading to ITU developing a project to establish a Pilot Plant that will provide concrete responses to the E-Waste problems in cities in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. This project also seeks to provide assistance to developing countries in the use of ICTs to mitigate and address the effects of climate change, taking into account the impact of ICTs on the environment.
An example of engaging sub-national authorities include the GSW-17 which was held in Manizales, Colombia, 3-5 April 2017, hosted by the Municipality of Manizales and Colombia's Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies. The event explored contemporary challenges to city governance and the well-being of city inhabitants, examining the role to be played by information and communication technologies (ICTs) in the pursuit of the United Nations' New Urban Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.
ITU and its partners, sharing a common community of interest, have recognized the relationship between IMT — International Mobile Telecommunication system — and "5G" and are working towards realizing the future vision of mobile broadband communications.
ITU Regional Radiocommunication Seminars (RRS) are organized world seminars on spectrum management held every two years in Geneva, as well as regional seminars aiming at the particular needs of developing countries.
Number of global partnerships in the area of Cybersecurity especially in delivering institutional and human capacity building through cybersecurity exercises, cyberdrills. In this area we work with multiple partners which include international, intergovernmental and private sector organizations as well as NGOs, Civil Society, Academia, Philanthropies, etc.

7. Has your organization organized any conferences, forums or events designed to facilitate exchange of experience, peer and mutual learning? If yes, please provide a brief summary below and include lessons learned and gaps identified based on the outcomes of these events. Please also include any events you plan to organize in the coming years.

ITU has numerous conferences, forums and events including the following, which are designed to facilitate exchange of experience, peer and mutual learning.

The overall theme for WSIS Forum 2018 was Leveraging ICTs to build Information and Knowledge Societies for achieving the SDGs. The WSIS Forum was co-organized by ITU, UNESCO, UNDP and UNCTAD with the involvement of other UN Agencies, including FAO, ILO, ITC, UNDESA, UNHCR, UNODC, UNEP, UPU, WMO, WIPO, WHO, WFP, UN Women and UN Regional Commissions. More than 500 high-level representatives of the wider WSIS Stakeholder community graced the Forum with more than 85 ministers and deputies, several ambassadors, CEOs and Civil Society leaders contributing This is naturally a great opportunity for stakeholders to exchange experiences and learn from each other. This is also continued online through the WSIS Stocktaking Database, which collects global examples of the use of ICTs in achieving the SDGs through the WSIS Action Lines. Prize-winners are also highlighted for their contributions.

8. Is there any other information you would like to share, including annual reports of your organization and any impact assessment or evaluation reports? If yes, please use the space below and attach the document(s). Please also use this space to provide any other information, comments or remarks you deem necessary:

The four year progress report (2014-2018) of ITU is available both formally as Document 35 to Council - Report on the Implementation of the Strategic Plan and Activities of the Union (ITU Annual Progress Report) and on a dedicated section on our website: Report on the Implementation of the Strategic Plan and Activities of the Union https://www.itu.int/en/annual-report-2017/Pages/default.aspx

Additional content can be found on the ITU Contribution to the WSIS Implementation https://www.itu.int/en/itu-wsis/Documents/ITUContribution/2018_ITU_Contribution_to_WSIS-Implementation.pdf?v=QSAKT0Y0, which can be found on this website https://www.itu.int/en/itu-wsis/Pages/Contribution.aspx.

A recent publication on the National Cybersecurity Strategy (https://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-d/opb/str/D-STR-CYB_GUIDE.01-2018-PDF-E.pdf) found that the well drafted cybersecurity strategy could positively impact the future cybersecurity assessments of Member States indicated in the Global Cybersecurity Index - https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Cybersecurity/Pages/global-cybersecurity-index.aspx

9. In your view, what should a strategic plan for the UN system in support of the 2030 Agenda and SDGs look like? What key elements should it include and major challenges address in such a road map?

For coordination on the SDGs it is increasingly necessary to work on concrete activities addressing the 2030 Agenda Framework. Discussions at the SDG Goal level are often too broad. Partnerships and collaborations based on the SDG Targets or Indicators would be more focused and tailored to addressing specific objectives. However, due consideration would still be needed to provide consideration on how this Target or Indicator fits into the overall SDG framework so as to ensure that both positive and negative ramifications on other SDG Targets and Indicators are either leveraged or mitigated respectively.

10. Please indicate one or two endeavor or initiatives you suggest that the UN system organizations could undertake together to support the implementation of the SDGs between now and 2030:

UN system organizations ought to improve their shared experiences and learn from each other, both successes and challenges. Humanitarian and Development organizations have different procedures and work cultures, some of which may be suitable for adaptation elsewhere within the UN system organizations. Lastly, increasingly working in a more ad hoc fashion depending on the specific requirements of projects on the field rather than focusing on too high-level partnerships.

11. Has your organization established any multi-stakeholder partnerships for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs? If yes, please describe how their performances are being monitored and reviewed? Where do these partnerships get funding and other resources, including human resources?

Partnerships have been created, inter alia, with UNIDO (SDG 9), FAO (SDG 2), WHO (SDG 3) and an e-waste coalition (SDG 12), as well as projects and activities addressing specific SDG Targets like ITU's Gender Equality activities such as the EQUALS Partnership (SDG5).

ECESA Plus Member

ITU

Year of submission: 2019

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