The United Nations (UN)’s World Development Information Day is annually observed across the globe on 24 October to draw the attention of the world to development problems and the need to strengthen international cooperation to solve them.
- The day emphasises the significance of widespread information dissemination to ensure a comprehensive understanding of global development challenges.
Background:
i.In 1972, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/3038(XXVII) and declared October 24 of every year as the World Development Information Day.
ii.The first World Development Information Day was observed on 24 October 1973.
Why October 24?
The date of the observance was chosen to coincide with the United Nations Day(24th October) and also to mark the date of adoption of the 1970 International Development Strategy for the Second United Nations Development Decade.
- The International Development Strategy for the 2nd UN Development Decade (1971-1980) was adopted on 24th October 1970.
3 Development Settings of UNDP:
i.The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) operates within diverse country contexts, addressing 3 broad development challenges.
- Eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions;
- Accelerating structural transformations for sustainable development; and
- Building resilience to crises and shocks.
ii.Securing these challenges are core development need, notably emphasising the enhancement of gender equality and women’s empowerment, alongside the need to safeguard human rights.
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs):
i.According to the UN, ICTs are a key to eradicating poverty and unemployment and the importance of building a people-centered, inclusive, and development-oriented Information Society.
ii.During the UN Conference on Sustainable Development or Rio+20, which took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on 20-22 June 2012, Governments recognized that ICTs are facilitating the flow of information between governments and the public.
iii.Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) are essential drivers of sustainable and inclusive development.
iv.STI initiatives address all aspects of sustainable development, economic, social, and environmental, and their interrelationships.
Commitment to Development Index (CDI) 2023:
CDI 2023 is topped by Sweden (1st) followed by Germany (2nd), Norway (3rd), Finland (4th) and France (5th).
- India is ranked 38th in CDI 2023.
i.CDI is released annually by the Center for Global Development (CGD) since 2003. It ranks 40 powerful countries, considering policies affecting over 5 billion people in poorer nations.
ii.It measures countries’ aid potential relative to their size and economic influence.
2023 Events:
On October 24th, 2023, the UN hosted a significant event in New York, USA to commemorate World Development Information Day.
- This event, organized by various UN bodies including the UNGA, the United Nations Office for Sustainable Development (UNOSD), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the UNDP.
