DAVOS, Switzerland - Global leaders must urgently accelerate progress toward universal and affordable access to information and communication technologies (ICTs) if the world is to meet the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
This was the view of the UN Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development, which met this week in Davos, Switzerland, during a special session co-organized with the World Economic Forum.
The high-level meeting attended by government ministers, UN leaders and industry executives called on governments around the world to prioritize broadband connectivity in countries and regions under their influence.
"We need fresh investment models to unlock the power of ICT connectivity that fuels growth in today's digital economy," said Houlin Zhao, secretary-general of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
"Without more innovative public-private partnerships and leadership, we will miss our opportunity to fast-forward progress on the SDGs. We will miss the chance to improve lives for everyone, no matter who they are or where they live."

The leaders in attendance identified and addressed several key areas including: new financing models for broadband infrastructure, new last-mile business models, new country partnership models; and new approaches to ending the gender digital divide. (Xinhua)