The Development of the Informational Society

Integration of digital technologies is occurring faster than any other innovation in human history: in just two decades, digital technologies have reached around 50 per cent of the developing world's population and transformed societies through them.

The Sustainable Development Goals are a call to action, coming from all countries - poor, rich and developed. They aim to improve the well-being and protect our planet.

193 Countries that have committed to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development have made commitments to sustainable, inclusive and sustained economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection, and to promoting global peace and security.

With the spread of COVID-19, there have been tremendous changes and developments in the world, affecting all areas of human activity.

We can highlight 5 priority areas to mitigate the impact of the crisis 2020: strengthening health care, enhancing social protection, providing opportunities for self-fulfilment and talent development, providing a comfortable and safe living environment, and decent and efficient work.

The UN Secretary-General's Roadmap for Digital Cooperation attaches great importance to Digital Development and ICT technologies as catalysts for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals:

- Connectivity: We must ensure universal, secure, inclusive and affordable access to the Internet for all by 2030. Bridging the digital divide is key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

- Respect: Human rights exist online just as they do in the physical world, and must be at the heart of digital use.

- Protection: We must reduce online harm and confront growing threats to digital security, especially for the most vulnerable among us.

As for today, the RCC has a full international legal framework for the development of the digital environment in the Commonwealth, which is defined by the implementation of the SDGs, these are:

- CIS Strategy for Cooperation in Building and Developing the Information Society for the period until 2025 and the Action Plan for its implementation for the period until 2025.

- The Strategy of ensuring information security of the Commonwealth of Independent States for the period until 2030 and the Action Plan for its implementation.

- The Concept of Cooperation of the Commonwealth of Independent States in the Field of Digital Development and the Priority Action Plan for its implementation.

- The Agreement on Information Cooperation of the CIS Member-States in the Field of Digital Development of Society.

Work in the RCC on the path of digital transformation continues at meetings of the RCC Board of the CAs Heads and RCC Working Bodies.

The meetings of the RCC Board of the CAs Heads and RCC Working Bodies continuously focus on digital development and exchange of experience on best practices in the development of the communications segment.

The RCC has:

- The RCC Commission for the Development of the Information Society and Digital Transformation (RCC Commission for the DIS and DT),

- Expert Council of IPA CIS - RCC,

- RCC Telecommunication and Infocommunication Operators Board,

- Basic Organisation of CIS Member-States in the field of ICT.

The main objective of the RCC Commission for the DIS and DT is:

- elaboration of cooperation mechanisms for the implementation of joint projects for the production of high-tech product and solution development, increasing the competitiveness of the CIS Member-States in the global market;
- identify promising areas and projects of mutual interest in the development of the information society and the implementation of digital transformation.
- elaboration of common approaches to the development of institutional conditions and normative regulation for the digital transformation of society, development of the digital economy, and expansion of electronic services in the CIS Member-States;
- implementation of joint activities aimed at the development of markets and sectors of the digital economy; information infrastructure; formation of research competencies; training of personnel, and educational systems in the context of the development of the information society and digital transformation;
- elaboration of approaches to create systems of support for applied research in the field of digital development of society and the digital economy (research infrastructure, digital platforms), ensuring technological independence in the areas of competitive digital technologies;
- promotion of effective cooperation between the CIS Member-States in the development of the information society and digital transformation
 - use of best international practices and the international system of standards in the development of the information society
- exchange of best practices and contributing to the reduction of the digital divide between the CIS Member-States.