Accenture's new report indicates that the information and communication technologies (ICT) sector can help achieve the objectives of the United Nations' (UN) 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

The deployment of innovative digital solutions can improve the quality of people's lives, achieve equitable growth and protect the environment.

Companies in the ICT sector have the opportunity to drive growth and competitiveness by investing in these initiatives.

However, these companies will have to overcome three roadblocks to realising the full potential of these digital solutions: policy, regulatory and supply-side constraints, as well as barriers on the demand-side.

"GeSI is committed to leading the discussion about how the world should use digital solutions to address the challenge of meeting the SDGs," said Luis Neves, chairman, GeSI. "By making the SDGs GeSI's central framework for action, we have defined an implementation roadmap that we will continue to refine to guide our priorities up to 2030, and we commit to supporting our member organisations to make this exciting vision a reality."

Achievement gaps
Every country has achievement gaps in more than half of the 17 SDGs, and many fall short on all.

Although a lot of work is required in the least developed countries and developing regions, action is equally needed in developed regions to stop degrading the environment.

The report emphasises that widespread deployment of digital solutions will significantly contribute to all three dimensions of development covered by the SDGs.

Digital solutions will improve people's lives, boosting equitable growth and protect the environment.

ICT sector companies could realise US$2.1 trillion in additional annual revenue by 2030 from services that directly contribute to SDG achievement.

"Digital solutions also make good business sense, as they contribute to new business models, create markets and help solve some of the world's most pressing problems in innovative ways," said Peter Lacy, managing director, Accenture Strategy.

Click on the photo to enlarge. Credit: Accenture