Broadband Commission For Sustainable Development - Members, Objectives, 2025 Target and More

The UN Broadband Commission For Sustainable Development is a United Nations commission established to promote internet access, particularly broadband networks, to help accomplish sustainable development goals. This topic is important because the organization’s mission aligns with India’s Digital India Mission.

The UN Broadband Commission is significant for the UPSC Prelims and GS Paper 2 of the UPSC Mains curriculum. You may learn about the Broadband Commission, its features, and its significance for the UPSC IAS Exam.

What is UN Broadband Commission For Sustainable Development?

The UN Broadband Commission For Sustainable Development was founded in 2010 by ITU and UNESCO. This commission was created with the aim of addressing the digital divide and prioritizing the objective of universal broadband connectivity in policy dialogues. The Commission is composed of influential members from various sectors, including CEOs, industry leaders, senior policymakers, government officials, leaders of international organizations, academics, and organizations dedicated to global and regional development. Collectively, they champion the role of broadband in promoting sustainable development and expediting the realization of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

Read about International Organizations here.

Members of Broadband Commission For Sustainable Development

The Broadband Commission assembles influential global leaders and forward-thinkers in information and communication technology (ICT), encompassing a wide range of sectors and perspectives. Their primary objective is to achieve unanimous agreement on recommendations that promote universal broadband access in an inclusive and sustainable manner. Commissioners are extended invitations to participate as members, engage in collaborative gatherings, contribute to the research of Working Groups, offer their expertise in shaping policy suggestions, and take a proactive role in crafting and championing the Commission's outcomes.

Highlights of State of Broadband Report 2019

• The overall adoption of the internet is slowing down. Throughout 2018 and 2017, the number of homes with internet access grew 8.9% over the prior year.
• The cost of bandwidth is going down. From 2015 to 2018, the cost of international internet bandwidth for IP transit decreased by an average of 27% (CAGR).
• Online users are increasing.
• Investment in emerging markets is increasing.
• The network of information and communication has expanded. Fibre, mobile, satellite, and submarine connections are all included in this.
• Cyberattacks and cybersecurity breaches are becoming more frequent. Just 50% of people have overall confidence in developing technology.
• There is a gender gap in internet usage, especially in nations with the lowest mobile adoption rates. Even in North America, fewer women are working in computing.

Objectives of Broadband Commission

• The Broadband Commission is well-known for producing high-quality research and policy recommendations and its annual State of Broadband reports.
• Through the development of transformative public-private partnerships, thought leadership, and concrete policy recommendations, the Commission’s objective is to bridge the digital divide and put the goal of universal connectivity at the forefront of policy conversations.
• The Commission serves as a UN advocacy engine for implementing the UN Secretary-Roadmap General’s for Digital Cooperation, leveraging its membership’s strength and collective expertise to advocate for meaningful, safe, secure, and long-term broadband communications services that are respectful of human and children’s rights.
• The Commission’s objectives are congruent with the UN Secretary-Roadmap General’s for Digital Cooperation.
• They are also consistent with and mutually reinforce the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 9 on universal connectivity.

Also, Read about the OECD Organization here!

UN Broadband Commission For Sustainable Development 2025 Targets

The Broadband Commission has outlined seven aspirational Advocacy Goals that serve as a guiding framework for regional, national, and global initiatives aimed at expanding internet accessibility. Initially, in 2011, there were four connectivity goals, but this expanded in 2013 with the addition of a gender equality goal. Subsequently, in 2018, the Commission adopted seven connectivity goals.

Broadband commission targets for 2025 have been established by the Commission to address the issue of connecting those currently without access. The ultimate aim is to contribute to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 by enhancing broadband infrastructure, expanding internet accessibility, and increasing usage across communities worldwide. The Commission annually publishes The State of Broadband Report, which tracks progress toward these goals.

Also, understand the working and function of BIMSTEC

State of Broadband Report 2021: Key Findings

• The 2021 Access Broadband Report is the first yearly report released in accordance with this requirement.
• The 2021 report serves as a baseline for current capabilities and limits in gathering accessible data across projects. There are two sections in the Access Broadband Report 2021:

Conclusion

The United Nations Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development wants to push the international community to recognize digital connectivity as essential to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. To realize the goal of universal connectivity, all parties must collaborate.

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