Welcome to the United Nations
Connecting Humanity: A Blueprint for Closing the Digital Divide
On 1 September 2025, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), in collaboration with Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space & Technology Commission, unveiled a landmark initiative: the Connecting Humanity Action Blueprint, a global strategy aiming to deliver universal, meaningful Internet access by 2030. The comprehensive plan estimates an investment of USD 2.6 trillion to 2.8 trillion, underscoring the scale and urgency of bridging the digital divide.
Still, 2.6 billion people remain offline, a disparity seen in usage statistics: in 2024, 93% of people in high-income countries were online, versus just 27% in low-income nations.
The Blueprint outlines four main domains where targeted funding can create meaningful impact:
Digital Infrastructure: Physical connectivity such as fiber networks in urban areas, 4G fixed wireless in rural regions, and satellite solutions for isolated communities.
Affordability: Ensuring that both smartphones and broadband services are accessible and affordable is essential for inclusive access.
Digital Skills Development: Equipping people with the skills to make use of the Internet, from education and employment to civic participation, is a vital component of closing the digital gap.
Policy & Regulatory Frameworks: Though the smallest share of the total, modernizing policy and regulation is foundational for enabling innovation and sustainable progress.
ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin emphasized that digital connectivity unlocks transformative opportunities, education, employment, and access to essential services, and that these investments represent building blocks for a prosperous, digitally enabled future.
The Blueprint highlights the particularly urgent challenges facing the 46 least-developed countries, where financing constraints, technical capacity gaps, and fragile infrastructure remain persistent barriers.
To bridge these gaps, the report advocates for:
Public-private collaboration mobilizes governments, industry, development funds, and civil society.
Using schools as connectivity hubs.
Investing in energy infrastructure, especially in African nations.
Strengthening data collection at sub-national levels to guide targeted strategies.
The Connecting Humanity Action Blueprint stands as both a roadmap and a rallying cry, calling on every stakeholder, from world leaders to private organizations, to act now in closing the digital divide. With nearly USD 2.8 trillion needed by 2030, the clock is ticking.
Without action, millions more risk being left behind as the digital era evolves. Investing in infrastructure, affordability, skills, and policy isn’t just about connectivity; it’s about building a future where everyone can participate, thrive, and contribute to a globally connected society.
For more information, please visit ITU.
