Two sides of the same coin? : future of the internet and sustainable development

Abstract

Goals Synergy and Complementarity: The Declaration for the Future of the Internet (DFI) aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in areas such as resilient infrastructure, quality education, gender equality, economic growth, and strong institutions. It also complements existing SDGs by addressing policy gaps related to the digital infrastructure, focusing on software and digital services. 2. Infrastructure and Innovation: The DFI fosters the development of a secure Internet infrastructure and encourages innovation, directly advancing SDG 9’s goals of building a resilient infrastructure and promoting technological progress. 3. Educational Access: By promoting equal Internet access and enhancing digital literacy, the DFI advances SDG 4, which aims for inclusive and equitable quality education. 4. Economic Growth: The DFI stimulates innovation and entrepreneurship, aligning with SDG 8’s objective of sustained, inclusive economic growth. 5. International Consensus to Tangible Results: The endorsement of the DFI by over 70 countries worldwide highlights its potential to turn international agreements into actionable outcomes at the national level. While the SDGs establish global targets, the DFI can mobilize the multistakeholder community in signatory countries to implement specific projects, as demonstrated by several case studies in this policy paper. 6. Policy Recommendations: To maximize the DFI’s impact, it is crucial to focus on integrating its principles with national policies, promoting cross-sector collaboration, and ensuring the effective implementation of digital infrastructure and services.