Role of Digital Technology in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals: Focus on the Efforts of the International Community

Abstract

In the international community, digital technology is considered as the means of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and effectively implementing development cooperation projects. Development cooperation activities are conducted in the field of digital technology in various forms by the major donors, namely the US, the UK, Germany, France, and Japan, who have been emphasizing on the importance of digital technology in development cooperation. These activities include the development of SDG mapping tool by the International Telecommunication Union, the establishment of World Bank’s Digital Development Cooperation System, and the announcement of the Digital Agenda 2030 by the Asian Development Bank. To improve the effectiveness of the development cooperation projects, cooperation in high-performing sectors should be further strengthened, considering the correlation between digital technology and SDGs. It is also necessary to support data-driven digital solutions and improve the understanding of the digital value chain.