Luxembourg's development cooperation - Annual report 2017

The debates held in the Council on this issue led on 20 November 2017 to the adoption of the Council’s conclusions on digital technology for development. During the debates, Luxembourg reminded the parties that Luxembourg has for many years been using information and communication technologies (ICT) in implementing both its own development activities and in the humanitarian aid context. For Luxembourg, the concept “ICT for development” refers to the use of ICT for socio-economic purposes and, in this respect, aims to encourage the integration of these tools into various human activities, be they the introduction of IT into enterprises and education and health sectors or major, innovative development projects such as electronic administration and digital land use planning. For Luxembourg, digital technology can encourage genuine independence for people, offering them new ownership of the environment. The development of digital technology is also a contribution to human rights and a tool that promotes good governance.

At the informal meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in its development configuration held in Tallinn, Estonia, on 11 September 2017, Minister Schneider reminded the parties that Luxembourg has for many years been using information and communication technologies (ICT) in implementing both its own development activities and in the humanitarian aid context. He asked those present not to forget the link between the development of information technologies and the development of renewable energy, since access to these technologies depends on access to energy. Minister Schneider also stated the importance of these technologies for disadvantaged populations’ financial inclusion.