DCO, UNDP Partner to Bridge Global Digital Divide, Accelerate Progress towards SDGs

New York, October 10, 2024, SPA -- The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), on the sidelines of the UN Summit of the Future in New York, have signed a global memorandum of understanding to foster expanded digital cooperation to accelerate digital transformation around the world and boost efforts towards the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
The memorandum, signed by DCO Secretary-General Deemah AlYahya and UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner, aims to expand cooperation on advancing digital policy, enhancing digital indices and research, improving digital capacities and skills, promoting digital solutions and meaningful participation of women in ICT, as well as fostering global advocacy for bridging the digital divide.
“DCO is dedicated to working hand-in-hand with stakeholders to bridge the digital divide, ensuring that every nation, business, and individual has equitable access to the opportunities of the digital economy,” said AlYahya, adding: "Today, we are happy to strengthen our collaboration with UNDP, which will enable us to advance digital cooperation and drive meaningful synergies. By aligning our shared visions and objectives, we are focused on implementing concrete initiatives that will accelerate digital transformation and contribute to achieving the SDGs at a global level."
In 2023, approximately one-third of the global population, or 2.6 billion people, did not have access to the internet. The gap in household connectivity between urban and rural areas globally remains significant, with approximately 72% of urban households having access, almost twice as much as in rural areas, at 38%. Regional disparities remain very wide as well. In Sub-Saharan Africa, internet penetration stands at around 30%, compared to over 90% penetration in North America. In response, UNDP has integrated digital transformation into its 2022-2025 Strategic Plan, recognizing it as a crucial driver for achieving the SDGs by 2030.
“The impact of digital transformation on economies, service delivery, and societies is profound—it enhances information accessibility, increases productivity, and facilitates data-driven decision-making,” Steiner underscored. “But transformation requires determined and sustained action supported by transformative policies and agendas. Unlocking the full potential of digital transformation requires collaboration across borders, sectors, and the entire digital society. The importance of digital cooperation cannot be overstated,” he added.
This new global partnership builds on the pioneering Digital for Sustainable Development (D4SD) initiative launched by the UNDP Regional Bureau for Arab States at the UN General Assembly last year, with DCO as a founding partner.
-- SPA