Knowledge Showcases
Highlights
Leveraging Information and Communication Technology for Development
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Information and communication technology (ICT) has grown into one of the most powerful forces shaping the 21st century. But, its digital dividends are unevenly distributed because many are left out of one of the greatest revolutions in history.
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ICT for Development (ICTD) springs from the desire to leverage ICT to propel economic and social progress and enhance its effects in developing countries, where over 3 billion people subsist on less than $2.50 a day. In these less-fortunate environments, countries that harness ICT can leapfrog stages of development.
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In 2016, the ICTD Team in ADB's Thematic Advisory Service Cluster drew a work plan to ramp up ADB's role in ICTD in the short term, in appreciation also of how ICT can accelerate action on the Sustainable Development Goals.
October 2016 | Issue 69
Regional | ICT
ICT IN THE 21ST CENTURY Information and communication technology (ICT) are technologies that facilitate by electronic means the processing, transmission, and display of information.1 Ever faster and cheaper, ICT allows people to seek, acquire, and share expertise, ideas, services, and technologies locally, nationally, regionally, and around the world; boosts efficiency and productivity; reduces transaction costs and barriers to entry; provides the means for sweeping reorganization of business; and generally makes markets work better. ICT has already transformed the financial services, media, retail, and telecommunications sectors. Through the globalization it simultaneously feeds on and accelerates, it is reshaping societies, economies, and governments worldwide.2 The New Dimensions of ICT • Broadband • Mobile Devices • Next Generation Systems • Wireless Technology and Connectivity Optical Fibers
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Big Data Data Analytics Data Management Data Mining
Usage
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Cloud Computing Internet of Things Remote Sensing Sensor Technology
Structure
Support
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Applications Control Centers Helpdesks Information Technology Security
Source: ADB.
ICT FOR DEVELOPMENT ICT is so embedded in our lives we no longer realize it is at play. But, this is not yet the case everywhere: “ICT for Development” (ICTD) springs from the desire to leverage ICT
to propel economic and social progress and enhance its effects in developing countries, where over three billion people— almost half of the global population—subsist on less than $2.50 a day. For sure, in these less fortunate environments, countries that harness ICT can leapfrog stages of development by • increasing avenues for economic and citizen engagement, • strengthening social networks, and • making public services more efficient. Without ICT, however, the efforts of developing countries to connect, innovate, and transform will be stymied, irrespective of income thresholds. Their endeavors to produce, diffuse, and use ICT require substantial investment—both public and private—in policy and regulatory frameworks, infrastructure (including connectivity), applications,3 and capacities and skills for ICT, with an eye also on standardization and information technology security.4 Because of its all-pervasive nature, ICTD is best understood in particular contexts such as, say, ICT in disaster risk management; education; energy; finance; health; industry and trade; public sector management; rural development and food security; transport; and urban development; not forgetting their subsectors and ICT infrastructure per se, all this at local, national, and regional levels.5 The proliferation of megacities and smaller settlements demands multisectoral interventions too. ICTD can introduce new opportunities to the poor and other under-represented groups, including women, so they may truly get ahead, or at least keep up. RAMPING UP ADB'S ROLE IN ICTD In Asia and the Pacific, ramping up ADB's role in ICTD is intrinsic to ADB's mandate, vision, and mission. ADB's value as a “finance++” partner means it can rise to the challenge by offering superior combinations of its own finance plus additional resources leveraged through public, private, and other partnerships plus knowledge derived from deep expertise across the many sectors and themes in which ICT finds applications and in which ADB is already involved. Notwithstanding needs for ICT financing, ADB's record of accomplishment in research and development, policy
___________________ ICT is an umbrella term for any communication device or application, e.g., computer and network hardware and software, radio, satellite systems, telephones, television, etc., as well as the various multidimensional services associated with them. Significantly, more than three-quarters of the world's population of 7.3 billion (2015) has a mobile phone, and the number of mobile-cellular subscriptions is close to 7 billion. 3 In information technology, an application program—“app” for short—is a computer program designed to help a user perform a specific activity (thus, it differs from an operating system, a utility, or a programming tool). 4 Information technology security, also known as computer security or cybersecurity, is the process of safeguarding the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of all information processed, stored, or transmitted using electronic resources. Since ICT directs most funds, there are serious implications for e-finance, to name one area of concern bisecting all sectors. 5 Reference is invited in particular to the manifold contributions space technology and geographic information systems applications can make by providing timely observation of land, ocean, and weather. To note, they provide unique and significant solutions in integrated disaster risk management and postdisaster response, rehabilitation, and reconstruction. 1
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