Page 2 - ITU’s contribution to the implementation of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS

ITU’s contribution to the implementation of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS

STEP 4 – SCALE UP DIGITAL INVESTMENT
Create a level-playing field in digital markets to enable abundant, strategic and sustainable digital investment. Scale up inno-
vative financing mechanisms for accessible, safe and resilient energy and digital infrastructures and emerging technologies,
including joint investment, public-private partnerships, green and social impact bonds and blended finance models. Facilitate
access to finance for green-field businesses, including venture capital and equity financing. Increase and streamline digital
finance from international financial institutions and donor agencies, also tapping into climate finance to build digital and
climate resilience.

STEP 5 – ENHANCE NATIONAL DIGITAL CAPABILITIES
Work proactively to create enabling national and regional digital ecosystems through developing national strategies, locally
led technology and business frameworks and operating models to create fundamental building block for enhancing digital
government services and the digital economy, such as digital public infrastructures and digital public goods. Ensure robust
statistical capacities of users and producers of ICT statistics, and sound data and information governance across the data
lifecycle to improve data quality and their use for policy formulation, programme planning and evaluation, and budget
allocation. Prioritize the establishment of robust cybersecurity frameworks and cyber incident response facilities. Facilitate
technology transfer on mutually agreed terms towards enhancing national data, digital and innovation capabilities to bridge
digital divides, strengthen SIDS’ market competitiveness and sustain growth.

STEP 6 – BET ON INNOVATION
Leverage the local digital sector in SIDS as an engine of innovation, economic prosperity and job creation, generating positive
spillovers on the broader economy. Build digital innovation ecosystems to orchestrate synergies between public and private
sector actors and between SIDS. Fast-track investment in science, technology and innovation. Establish national and regional
innovation hubs and digital acceleration centers to support public sector innovation and local entrepreneurship. Hubs
can host research, training and incubation of innovative solutions, in particular for emerging technologies, digital financial
inclusion, digital health and education, and tourism.

STEP 7 – FACILITATE ENTREPRENEURSHIP, E-COMMERCE AND TRADE

Facilitate the integration of SIDS into global digital supply chains, industries and marketplaces through enhanced regional
and international cooperation, including trade agreements for digital services and alignment with global standards. Promote
the development of interoperable digital identity systems, e-payment and e-commerce platforms. Tailor business-oriented
capacity building initiatives to the unique needs and potential of SIDS. Ensure equal access to e-trade and business financing
opportunities, especially for local start-ups and small businesses. Integrate e-commerce and trade into blue and green
economy strategies, for example by accelerating the digitization of businesses, promoting ICT and digital goods and services
trade, developing integrated and sustainable maritime transportation systems, and transitioning to renewable energy sources
for digital infrastructures.
STEP 8 – BOOST DIGITAL SKILLS, LOCAL CONTENT AND LEARNING PATHS

Implement widespread digital skills development initiatives for diverse demographics, including youth, women, local, indige-
nous and rural populations and persons with disabilities. Collaborate with educational institutions and private sector partners
to create locally relevant digital content and content in local languages. Strengthen STEM+ and digital entrepreneurship
programmes and integrate them across academic disciplines. Integrate digital channels and curricula in formal and vocational
training to create learning-to-earning opportunities for all.

STEP 9 – BUILD CLIMATE RESILIENCE
Craft inclusive climate change adaptation strategies and build multi-channel early warning systems for climate change-in-
duced disasters and other emergencies to ensure that warnings reach people at risk in time to take action. Leverage digital
technologies, such as mobile early warning systems including cell-broadcast as well as community-based infrastructures and
locally-led feedback mechanisms to ensure emergency communications are understandable and actionable. Develop and
integrate digital solutions tailored to the multi-dimensional vulnerabilities of SIDS, including for climate-sensing, nature pres-
ervation and disaster preparedness.

STEP 10 – FORGE NEW PARTNERSHIPS AND INNOVATIVE DEVELOPMENT MECHANISMS

Accelerate progress on the SIDS agenda through pooling resources and new project and programme delivery mechanisms
leveraging North-South, South-South and triangular cooperation and synergies between SIDS. Fast-track the implementation
of existing key projects and initiatives with development partners, governments, local authorities, civil society and the private
sector and broaden the base for new joint impact programmes. Design and orchestrate such programmes with the needs of
future generations in mind. Support development cooperation, policy harmonization and regulatory interoperability at the
regional and global level and between SIDS.

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