The United Nations’s (UN) World Development Information Day was observed annually on 24th October 2021 to propagate information, mobilise public opinion, and spread awareness in the field of international cooperation for growth and development.
- The 1st World Development Information Day was observed in 1973.
- UNGA (United Nations General Assembly) decided to celebrate the World Development Information day on October 24 to coincide it with UN Day (October 24).
- The ‘International Development Strategy’ for the Second Nations Development Decade was also adopted in October 24.
Objective:Â To address development issues, spread awareness and include modern-day information technologies (internet, mobile).
Historical background:
i.In 1964 the UNGA established the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). UNCTAD is a part of the UN secretariat.
ii.The UNCTAD proposed measures for dissemination of information and for the mobilization of public opinion, relative to trade and development problems on May 17th, 1972.
iii.The proposal was then passed by the UN General Assembly on May 19th, 1972 and the UNGA established World Development Information Day in 1972 (passing the Resolution 3038 (XXVII)) to tackle developmental problems and to strengthen international cooperation in the world.
Information and communications technologies:Â
According to the UN, information and communications technologies have the potential to provide new solutions to development challenges, in the context of globalization, and can foster economic growth, competitiveness, access to information and knowledge, poverty eradication, and social inclusion.
About UNGA (United Nations General Assembly):
President: Abdulla Shahid
Headquarters: New York, United States
Founded: 1945
