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Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and ICTs

Mid-Term Review of the Samoa Pathway

image of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and ICTs

This document reviews progress in access to affordable and modern digital technologies since the 2014 Samoa conference on SIDS. It was prepared as an input document to the September 2019 high-level meeting to review progress made in addressing the priorities of SIDS through implementation of the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway. It provides examples to demonstrate progress made, showing how SIDS are using ICTs to help drive sustainable development, and includes a framework for tracking progress towards a universal and affordable Internet.

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Conclusions and recommendations

SIDS have made progress in terms of the universality and affordability of their ICT networks since the 2014 Samoa conference. Mobile broadband coverage has risen from half of the population to 85 per cent and the price of mobile data has virtually been halved from 15 per cent of GNI per capita to 8 per cent. Technologies such as AI, blockchain and drones have been introduced to enhance sustainable development in areas such as clean energy, agriculture and disaster assessment. Progress has nevertheless been uneven and there is a big gap between the best-performing and other SIDS. Prices remain high in a number of SIDS and the use of digital technologies for contributing to sustainable development is lagging behind.

English

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