1.2 ALIGNMENT OF ICT POLICY WITH NATIONAL, REGIONAL & GLOBAL COMMITMENTS The Ministry of Planning is in the process of developing a new National Development Plan (NDP) to replace the current plan (2017-2019). This Policy will be used as a reference for the ICT components to help guide its development, and to be in alignment with. In this respect the Policy aims to support the country’s long-term vision for socio-economic development and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including economic transformation, national cohesion, human development, public governance and security, and cross cutting issues (e.g., gender equality and persons with disabilities). Globally, target SDG 9c aims to reach universal and affordable access across the world’s Least Developed Countries (LDCs) by 2020. Achieving this in Somalia and many other LDCs is unlikely without concerted action to ensure that access to ICTs can facilitate the developments that are planned for all SDGs. Many national and regional agreements and commitments are aligned to this global vision of universal and affordable access to all, including those among East African countries and at the African Union level. The goals set by the UN Broadband Commission provide more detailed targets: 1. By 2025, all countries should have a funded national broadband plan or strategy, or include broadband in their universal access and services definition. 1. By 2025, entry-level broadband services should be made affordable in developing countries, at less than 2% of monthly gross national income per capita. 2. By 2025 Broadband-Internet user penetration should reach: a. 75% worldwide b. 65% in developing countries c. 35% in LDCs 3. 4. 5. 6. By 2025, 60% of youth and adults should have achieved at least a minimum level of proficiency in sustainable digital skills. By 2025, 40% of the world’s population should be using digital financial services. By 2025, lack of connectedness of Micro-, Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises should be reduced by 50%, by sector. By 2025, gender equality should be achieved across all targets It is recognized there are many key issues that need to be addressed to achieve an optimal ICT ecosystem able to foster progress towards the SDG connectivity targets, and other commitments. For example, limited digital literacy levels, lack of local content, security issues, gender inequalities and the absence of affordable energy supply are all significant barriers that need to be dealt with. This Policy also acknowledges the need to take into account fast moving technology developments in the ICT space, such as the emerging areas of the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Machine to Machine (M2M) services, Net Neutrality, Big Data, Blockchain Technologies and Cryptocurrencies. As these evolve the Policy will need to be reviewed and adjusted accordingly. 9