| Manifesto

Global Goal of Universal Connectivity

A Global Call to Action

The Broadband Commission Manifesto calls on the global community to recognize digital connectivity as the foundational element of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Manifesto affirms the commitment of the Broadband Commission to mobilize efforts to achieve the ‘Global Goal of Universal Connectivity’ in support of the UN Secretary-General’s Roadmap for Digital Cooperation and other connectivity initiatives. 

‘Building Back Better with Broadband’ will help us accelerate progress towards the SDGs and re-energize the commitment of world leaders in this crucial Decade of Action. The time is now. This Broadband Commission’s Manifesto is a rallying cry, calling for collaboration in:

Establishing a baseline for universal digital connectivity.

Identifying and supporting public-private financing of universal broadband.

Advocating for enabling ICT regulatory environments, capacity building & online safety.

Establishing a baseline for universal digital connectivity.

Identifying and supporting public-private financing of universal broadband.

Advocating for enabling ICT regulatory environments, capacity building & online safety.

We, the Members of the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development, reaffirm our commitment to help achieve universal connectivity as a fundamental element of an inclusive and sustainable world. We call on world leaders and heads of industry to put universal connectivity at the very forefront of sustainable development efforts and recognize its central role in 2030 Agenda.

The COVID-19 crisis has dramatically illustrated the vital importance of broadband networks and services in driving robust, resilient and well functioning societies and economies. Yet today, 3.6 billion people remain offline. Lack of affordability, constrained access to infrastructure and devices, poor digital skills and/or the absence of relevant content mean they, and billions of other marginalized people struggling with poor connectivity, are unable to leverage the power of digital transformation in a way that could catalyze seismic shifts in development outcomes.The work and accomplishments of the Broadband Commission over the past decade establish an important precedent for these actions, and serve as a solid foundation for bringing the UN Secretary-General’s Roadmap for Digital Cooperation to life around its three fundamental pillars.
The Commission is convinced that achieving affordable universal connectivity is essential for achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and making good on our pledge to Leave No-one Behind. 

This goal of universal connectivity will require collective, collaborative efforts by all stakeholders.

 
The pandemic and its socio-economic impacts have underscored the urgency of concrete, coordinated actions across all sectors and geographies. With less than ten years remaining until 2030, now is the time to establish digital connectivity as the foundational pillar for our shared Global Goals.
Within the context of the UN75th Anniversary, and as the Commission celebrates ten years of achievement, we are committed to mobilizing efforts to achieve the ‘Global Goal of Universal Connectivity’ in support of the Roadmap and other connectivity initiatives. We call on the global community to recognize digital connectivity as the foundational element of the Sustainable Development Agenda. As we define the ‘new normal’ for our post-COVID world, leaving no one behind means leaving no one offline.