SDG Digital Acceleration Agenda

Digital technologies are transforming governments, economies, and societies. They have the potential to play a catalytic role in supporting the global community to achieve the 2030 Agenda – the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by all Member States of the United Nations in 2015. This SDG Digital Acceleration Agenda shaped by ITU and UNDP, in collaboration with IDB and BCG, highlights the wide-ranging importance of digital technologies and data. From digital skills to governance and regulations, financing, infrastructure, safety and security, content, applications and services. With a range of real-world examples, it shows how game-changing digital solutions can accelerate progress in climate action, education, hunger, poverty and the role of data and digital technologies in achieving at least 70% of the 169 SDG targets.

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Agenda highlights

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There are only seven years left to achieve the 2030 Agenda, and currently none of the 17 SDGs have been fully met. In other words:

“Unless we act now, the 2030 Agenda will become an epitaph for a world that might have been.”

_{UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, April 2023}

Digital technologies, such as mobile devices, digital public services, and emerging innovations including Artificial Intelligence are reshaping the global landscape. Digital technologies can be employed to increase financial inclusion, enhance government efficiency, and tackle poverty. They can play a pivotal role in achieving the SDGs. In fact, digital technologies can play a role in achieving 70% of all SDG targets.

The SDG Digital Acceleration Agenda highlights 34 digital solutions which are helping to advance the SDGs. They emphasize people-centred, collaborative and scalable approaches. Recognizing the need for holistic digital transformation, the Agenda introduces ‘Digital Transformation Enablers’, which are intended to inform national governments (and others working in digital ecosystems) about the power and potential of digital technologies and data.

Scale proven digital solutions

Bringing proven digital solutions to scale requires building and expanding strong enablers, moving beyond pilots to implement what works and fostering interoperability among various SDG solutions.

Improve collaboration among stakeholders and raise their ambition

Digital transformation relies on joint efforts between the private sector, financial institutions, civil society, the UN, governments, and young people around the world.

Expand funding and financing approaches

Addressing the $3.7+ trillion SDG funding gap requires shifting focus to foundational enablers, pooling resources through collaboration, and utilizing diverse financing methods for effective progress.

Unlock private sector potential for greater societal impact

The private sector's pivotal SDG role demands renewed commitments to environmental and social governance (ESG), open innovation, and global collaboration with governments to create ecosystems that serve markets and drive progress.

RESOURCES

The SDG Digital Acceleration Agenda leverages recent findings and data on SDGs progress and digital technologies

To ensure credibility and that findings as well as recommendations are grounded in research and expertise, a multitude of different sources were used throughout the creation of this Agenda. A summary is provided below, allowing you to dive deeper into the various sources.

SDG Digital Acceleration Agenda