The Joint SDG Fund recognizes the potential for UN joint action in enhancing digital cooperation and catalysing digital transformations, especially in regions that have been left behind to address the digital divide. In Micronesia, The Republic of the Marshall Islands, Palau, Nauru, and Kiribati, the Fund will support the promotion of integrated joint programmes and financing for digital transformations for the SDGs that drive systems change and leverage broader funding for key areas such as government services, digital connectivity, digital financing, e-trade, and digital for the planet. It will also support cross-cutting initiatives to advance digital public goods, digital human rights and digital capacity building to create a safer and more equitable world while unlocking the full potential of digital technologies for the SDGs.
Digital technologies sustain life, work, health and learning for billions of people.
- António Guterres, UN Secretary-General
Together with seven United Nations agencies joining efforts through the multi-country office of the Pacific, Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Palau and Kiribati will embrace digital transformation across multiple sectors to respond the local needs and priorities. The programme will make use of digital solutions to enhance early childhood development policy and strategy frameworks, nutrition and food-based diets, decent employment created by digital transformation, shock-responsive social protection and safety nets for children and vulnerable groups. One of the central expected outcomes will be improved coherence amongst digital policy, legislative and strategy frameworks supportive of cross-sectoral digital transformation. Digital access and literacy will be promoted in a safe and meaningful manner that improves the quality of life and livelihood.
A whole-of-government approach to investing in digital technologies and achieving the SDGs in Micronesian countries by strengthening community resilience will be accelerated. Through the Smart Islands approach, digital transformation at the community level will enable access to a range of digitally enabled services, prioritized in consultation with the community, along with the required awareness and digital skills to harness its potential in a meaningful and safe way. The programme intervention is expected to meaningfully improve livelihoods; healthcare; enjoyment of human rights; skills in harnessing digitally enabled services; education and job opportunities; food availability and nutrition; digital finance and information; response to natural disasters; and maritime security, which are identified as priority areas among the target Pacific countries.
The process is led by the Resident Coordinator and implemented by ITU, FAO, ILO, UNESCO, UNICEF and UNODC, who are joining hands to propose a coherent and unified programme proposal leveraging each agency’s technical expertise accompanied by a strong coordination with government ministries and civil society organizations and other development actors in the country.
Key Results
The Girls in ICT programme provides training for girls on Child Online Protection and Cyber Safety awareness training in the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, and Nauru. Through a synergistic collaboration between UNICEF, UNESCO, UNODC and ITU, UN networks will be optimized to reach 1,000 children to participate.
Kiribati's Information and Communications Technology in Education Framework analysis is Integrating this updated framework into the broader education sector plan, a testament to the commitment to enhance education and learning opportunities in Kiribati through the effective use of technology. Evidence-based nutritional practices and dietary guidelines have been presented to national policymakers and members of the health council in the Federated States of Micronesia for their validation and approval.
The joint programme is conducting a comprehensive assessment of wage systems and wage-setting practices and training needs analysis on digital entrepreneurship in Kiribati, the Republic of Marshall Islands and Palau to ensure that possible job creation in the digital economy promotes decent jobs and strengthens policy coherence between policies fostering digital transformation and decent employment creation. Draft wage policy documents will be developed for government review in Kiribati and the Marshall Islands.
UNODC has conducted initial assessment visits to identify locations for the Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver installation of at least one Coastal AIS Receiver per country to strengthen maritime domain awareness to control illicit activity at sea.
Participation by a private telecommunications company in Nauru will provide power and bandwidth to the proposed Digital Inclusive Centre, which will cater to people living with disabilities.
Note:
The Joint SDG Fund's joint programmes are under the prestige leadership of the Resident Coordinator Office and implementing United Nations Agencies. With sincere appreciation for the contributions from the European Union and Governments of Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and our private sector funding partners, for a transformative movement towards achieving the SDGs by 2030.
