Spain and UN join forces to improve small island nations’ access to technology

Small island developing States, among the world’s most vulnerable countries, have received a boost of nearly $3 million to give them better access to technology, thanks to a joint initiative by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) and Spain.

The $2.8 million project, funded by Spain, seeks to create a group of experts, both local and international, to help address development obstacles, ranging from limited Internet connectivity and access to affordable technology.

It will also help set up a much-needed central knowledge management system and information clearing house for the nations, which suffer from drought and depend on waning tourism revenues in the midst of a major global recession.

Entitled “Capacity Development through Education for Sustainable Development and Knowledge Management for Small Island Developing States (SIDS),” the initiative was signed into action yesterday in New York by Spain and Sha Zukang, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs.