E-Government for Sustainable Development: The announcement provides an overview of the focus of the upcoming United Nations E-Government Survey 2012

1. United Nations
E-Government
Survey 2012
E-Government for
Sustainable Development
What is the focus of the and e-services, (ii) telecommunication infra-
structure, and (iii) human capital endowment.
age e-government to better serve the public.
As such, it suggests a way forward for govern-
forthcoming survey? In addition, the United Nations e-Government ments to move towards greater innovation,
Survey assesses the capability and capacity of consolidate their e-government strategies and
The United Nations e-Government Survey was governments around the world to encourage develop evidence-based policies that will fa-
initiated in 2001 by the Division for Public e-participation for effective public policy deci- cilitate the adoption of emerging technologies
Administration and Development Manage- sion making. and effectively respond to the emerging needs
ment to support Member States’ efforts in of citizens.
e-government and information communica- While providing a comparative assessment of
tions technologies (ICTs) for socio-economic global e-government development, the Unit- In the last few years, the growing recognition
development. The United Nations e-Govern- ed Nations e-Government Survey highlights of the United Nations e-Government Survey
ment Survey assesses the e-government de- the strategies, tools and best practices devel- has allowed its message to be accepted world-
velopment of the 192 Member States of the oped and practiced by pioneering countries, wide. The data is used extensively and cited in
United Nations according to a quantitative and taps on the collective wisdom of global publications by renowned research organiza-
composite index comprising (i) e-information strategists and practitionersin how they lever- tions, including the World Bank, the Organiza-

2. tion for Economic Co-operation and Develop- the world community is continuing its onward Survey 2012 will, therefore, focus more closely
ment (OECD), the Economist Intelligence Unit journey to the Millennium Development Goals on how government shares information on
(EIU), the European Union (EU), the World target date of 2015. Accordingly, a special fo- service usage and feedback given by citizens
Economic Forum and the International Tele- cus of the United Nations e-Government Sur- concerning online services and e-participation
commusnication Union (ITU). vey 2012 will be on assessing the contribution initiatives, as well as how the public’s aware-
of e-government to environmental sustain- ness to e-services provided by the government
In this context, the United Nations e-Gov-
ability. It will focus on building an understand- is increased.
ernment Survey 2012 will focus on the role
ing of the role of e-government in providing
of e-government in sustainable development,
information and services for promoting aware- 5. Effective use of multi-channel
including the promotion of social equity, eco-
ness and advocacy of environmental resource service delivery
nomic growth and environmental protection.
management and climate change, especially
Multi-channel service delivery. Within the
Based on the findings and trends of previous as it relates to the delivery of such services
purview of socio-economic sustainable devel-
surveys, the United Nations e-Government to citizens. For instance, citizens look to the
opment, the United Nations e-Government
Survey 2012 will review, among other areas, government for the provision of critical infor-
Survey 2012 will assess e-government ap-
the following: mation and services in times of natural disas-
proaches and development through the effec-
ters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons,
tive use of multi-channel service delivery, in
1. Integration and creation of one- floods, and volcanic eruptions.
particular the availability of mobile services;
stopshops and national portals the provision of free connectivity through
The rising importance of a whole-of-govern- 3. Leverage of emerging technologies public kiosks and other facilities; and how
ment approach and integrated online service E-infrastructure and its increasing role in these approaches will help advance economic
delivery. To ensure the long-term sustain- bridging the digital divide, with a particular efficiency and effectiveness in government
ability of online services along with increased emphasis on the provision of effective online service delivery, including social networking
usage and sophistication, there is a global services for the inclusion of vulnerable and services. In particular, a special focus will un-
shift towards the integration and creation of marginalized groups, such as the poor, the derline the growing need for providing mobile
one-stopshops and national portals, with in- handicapped, women, children and youth, web-based and text-based services, as mobile
tegrated solutions such as single sign-on and the elderly, and minorities, etc. Bridging the devices now have a much higher penetration
identity management. These initiatives have digital divide for sustainable development ons in developing countries.
in turn, allowed for greater cost savings and remains a top priority for the United Nations
efficiency in back-end government operations as does supporting equitable participation
while delivering more effective and convenient in development issues. The United Nations
public services. What is important is not how e-Government Survey 2012 will assess how
many government websites there are, but how emerging technologies, such as broadband,
citizens can access with ease a wide range of are leveraged to mitigate the adverse impact
relevant online services, without the need to of digital divide and to better deliver online
understand the government organization. services with reference to both accessibility
and the active engagement of citizens. Contact:
2. Contribution of e-government to Ms. Haiyan Qian, Director
environmental sustainability 4. Public’s access and awareness Division for Public Administration
The use of e-government to provide informa- to e-services & Development Management/
tion and services to citizens on environment The increasing emphasis on service usage and United Nations Department of
related issues. In 2012, the Rio +20 – United citizen satisfaction. Even with the most su- Economic and Social Affairs
Nations Conference on Sustainable Develop- perb online services deployed, the widespread Tel: +1 212-963-2764
ment – will deliberate upon the issues of en- adoption and use of e-government cannot be Email: unpan@un.org
vironment and sustainable development as assured. The United Nations e-Government
United Nations
E-Government
Survey 2010
Leveraging e-government
at a time of financial
and economic crisis