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UNESCO鈥檚 Internet Universality Indicators assessment scaled up in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Republic of Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo launched their national assessments of the I on 31 October and 7 November 2022 respectively. UNESCO鈥檚 Multi-Donor Programme on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists and Information for All Program (IFAP) have jointly supported this initiative.
In the presence of the Ministers of Posts and Telecommunications, the Minister of Higher Education, the Minister of Pre-school, Primary and Secondary Education and Literacy, and the Minister of Technical and Vocational Education in the Republic of Congo; and the Ministry of Digital Affairs in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the launching events reunited various stakeholders representing governments, academia, the technical community, and civil society.
鈥淭he Internet Universality ROAM-X indicators will provide the tools needed to build our national digital strategy and make the Internet more human-centered and accessible to all鈥 stressed Desir茅-Cashmir Kolongele Eberande, the Minister of Digital Affairs of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
鈥淭he ROAM-X indicators have great potential for the protection of human rights online and offline including the support of vulnerable communities and sustainable development鈥 stated Leon Juste Ibombo, the Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Digital Economy of the Republic of Congo.
National representatives from both countries expressed their government鈥檚 commitment to carrying out the assessment and incorporating the policy recommendations outlined in the final report into their national digital policies.
All participants recognize the importance of using the ROAM-X assessment as a means for Central African countries to foster digital inclusion, harness artificial intelligence, bridge digital divides and advance national digital transformation.
Alain Kiyindou, the lead researcher informed that the assessment of ROAM-X indicators in the both countries will be completed by late 2023.
The ROAM-X project as a new era of opportunities for digital development in Central Africa
UNESCO supports the Internet Universality ROAM-X indicators in 44 countries across five continents including 17 in Africa and is working to scale up the assessment in all African countries in order to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda through digital transformation.
