Beirut, 20 March 2019 (ESCWA)--The Second Arab High-level Forum on World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development today concluded at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) while urging to make use of digital technologies in order to accelerate sustainable development.
An outcome document outlined a set of key recommendations that reiterated the deep belief that the achievement of sustainable development is the only way to guarantee all that leads to a decent life for everyone.
The Forum stressed the importance of ESCWA initiative in terms of digital development and the preparation of national and regional reviews to analyse the current situation of the Arab information society from the sustainable development perspective. It also called for developing a chief strategic framework in each country that is based on the digital development report, so as to link Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to digital and other strategies and action plans.
Conferees also highlighted the importance of providing a large infrastructure that allows affordable access to internet and electronic services for all citizens, regardless where they live or who they are. It also stressed the need to boost research, development, and innovation to build a strong and prosperous national and regional digital economy, eventually allowing the creation of jobs for youth.
In her opening remarks, the Executive Secretary of ESCWA, Ms. Rola Dashti, had underscored that “Arab states committed in the Beirut Consensus on Technology for Sustainable Development to use technology and innovation for comprehensive development in the region.”
The Forum was organized by ESCWA in partnership with the ITU Arab Regional Office (ITU), Lebanese Government, OGERO Telecom-Lebanon (OGERO), and the League of Arab States (LAS).
For more information:
-Nabil Abu-Dargham, Head, ESCWA Communication and Information Unit,
+961-70-993-144; email: dargham@un.org
-Ms Rania Harb, Public Information Assistant, +961-70-008-879; email: harb1@un.org
