1. Parvez Iftikhar ICT Consultant
An ICT engineer with over 40 years experience, works as an ICT Policy and Regulation consultant in the emerging markets of Asia and Africa, for global organizations like ITU, World Bank, USAID, GSMA, CTO, ADB, and other private international consulting firms.
He was the founding CEO of Universal Service Fund Pakistan, where he built a vibrant organisation from scratch while simultaneously executing ICT projects in remote areas to bridge the digital divide.
Before USF, he was Pakistan telecom country-head of the multinational Siemens. He received extensive technical and managerial training, and successfully managed several multi-million dollar ICT projects there.
He also involves himself in voluntary work related to ICTs, like arranging/conducting ICT related events, advising the government and the regulator, mentoring tech startups, and running a small think tank, ‘ICT Forum Pakistan’.
For more on him visit Piftikhar.com or

2. I C T s & Sustainable Development Goals
PAKISTAN SCHOOL ON INTERNET GOVERNANCE 2018
- Parvez Iftikhar

4. Goals for 15 years: 2016 to 2030
Goals further subdivided into 169 Targets
No specific ICT (or Internet) goal!
ICT is only mentioned in 4 of the 169 Targets
However, Internet’s catalytic role in facilitating SDGs is critical
Let us see how … one by one …

5. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
financial inclusion thru Dig Fin Svcs
access to banking to over 400 mln ppl via mobile phones
micro-credits,
info. to rural citizens - timely & accurate

6. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
info to farmers (weather, pests, health of crops)
assists agricultural extension workers,
collects / shares vast amounts of data (drones!)

7. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
timely analsys of trends of epidemics like dengue etc.
assists health workers,
remote diagnostics of patients,

8. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
wealth of learning resources on the net
online tuitions
MOOCs
social media

9. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
increases access to opportunities in health, education, employment & entrepreneurship,
social

10. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
smart water management
measuring & monitoring water supplies
helps conserve, use more optimally, …

11. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable & modern energy for all
thru ICTs
smart grids /buildings
less travel
of ICTs
low power
renewables

12. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
pre-requisite for all employments - even to apply for jobs!
freelancing, BPO, etc transform businesses
new work thru Social Media

13. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
controls/manages infrastructure,
computerises industrial production processes
innovation thru open access to research & online collaboration

14. Reduce inequality within & among countries
brings information & knowledge to the disadvantaged
persons with disabilities
to women
to remote inhabitants

15. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
smart management of cities and buildings
waste management
energy management.

16. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
smart-production/ transportation/ distribution of goods
cloud-computing,
smart metering, …

17. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
disaster early-warning
monitoring of climate change
forecasting
less travel …

18. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
real-time global monitoring thru satellites & local sensors
analyses trends using big data

19. Protect, restore & promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, & halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
same as previous +
provides relevant info to people thru internet – to take more active role, etc.

20. Promote peaceful & inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all & build effective, accountable & inclusive institutions at all levels
eGovt services
brings timely info on aid in crises
empowers citizens thru transparency
vast on-line data,

21. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize Global Partnership for Sustainable Development
enables/improves monitoring & accountability,
enhances international collaboration,
capacity building, …

22. THANK YOU Parvez Iftikhar parvez@piftikhar.com @Parvez_Iftikhar