2020 Annual Fall Meeting of the Broadband Commission- 10th Anniversary Celebration

Date

September 18, 2020

Location

Virtual

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All Fall Meetings

STATE OF BROADBAND:

A Decade of Advocacy for Universal Connectivity

The Annual Meeting brings together Broadband Commissioners – leaders across ICTs sectors to discuss the newly released State of Broadband Report 2020 (#SoBB2020): “Tackling Digital Inequalities: A Decade For Action” and to devise a plan to deliver on the 2030 Agenda. In this milestone report Commissioners confront the realities of the year as the world faces a pandemic disrupting Global and local economies, healthcare and education systems. Working Group Chairs will present publications bringing to the forefront the crucial role that broadband plays in connecting the world and keeping societies safe, strong and healthy. Together we will continue our work towards universal connectivity, making sure to leave no one behind.

10th ANNIVERSARY: A TIME FOR CELEBRATION AND ACTION

As we enter the Decade of Action to deliver the SDGs, the Broadband Commission celebrates its 10th Anniversary by asking its Commissioners and the greater broadband community to reflect on what has been achieved so far, and building on this, what concrete steps are needed to realize the 2030 Global Goals. At this Fall Annual Meeting, the Commission gathers virtually to re-energize and engage Broadband leaders to take action and establish models across sectors on how to “Build Back Better with Broadband.”

MEETING SUMMARY ILLUSTRATION

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NOTABLE QUOTES

"The first decade of the Broadband Commission has made a real impact by highlighting the transformational power of universal access to high-speed internet connectivity and smartphones. Ideas that seemed futuristic ten years ago, are now mainstream. The next decade will be about using digital tools to speed up the recovery from the Covid pandemic and make up some of the lost ground on the SDGs."

“Digital technologies are offering services that are creating big changes. Regulators and governments should be aware of the vital importance for society and development that telecom networks play, and that high taxes, spectrum charges and regulation are barriers to digital inclusion. Today our challenge is to look for universal connectivity and to make it available for countries and people. Broadband Connectivity is the bridge to move to economic development and welfare."

“Leaving no one behind means leaving no one offline, now more than ever before...Increasing and coordinating ICT infrastructure investments will be instrumental, not only in connecting the 3.6 billion people still offline, but also in driving the development of new technologies central to the digital economy."

“Digital technology could be the tool we need for human-centred emancipation. But to play this role, it needs our expertise and cooperation because we need to pool all of our resources if we are to rise to the challenge of connectivity and competencies...In my view, this is the significance of the two Working Groups co-chaired by UNESCO. These documents published today focus on two crucial questions: school connectivity and the promotion of reliable, quality information."

Released Reports and Materials

The State of Broadband: Tackling Digital Inequalities, A Decade for Action
The Digital Transformation of Education: Connecting Schools, Empowering Learning; Working Group on School Connectivity
Reimagining Global Health through Artificial Intelligence: The Roadmap to AI Maturity; Working Group on Digital and AI in Health
Balancing Act: Countering Digital Disinformation While Respecting Freedom of Expression; Working Group on Freedom of Expression and Addressing Disinformation on the Internet