World Development Information Day

World Development Information Day is a United Nations observance aimed at raising awareness about the vital role of information and communication technologies in socio-economic development. The day promotes the dissemination of data and statistics that inform global processes of development including poverty eradication, climate action, and sustainable resource management. It highlights the need for international cooperation in addressing global development challenges and exchanging knowledge, ideas, and experiences among people and nations.

Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972, World Development Information Day recognizes the importance of information sharing in promoting progress and achieving national and global development goals. In South Africa, this observance is particularly relevant to the country's efforts to address poverty, inequality, and unemployment and advance social and economic development. The day demonstrates the importance of reliable, accurate, and timely information to inform evidence-based decision-making, policy formulation, and resource allocation in sectors such as education, health, and infrastructure development.

In South Africa, World Development Information Day is typically observed through activities that engage government, civil society, academia, and the private sector. These activities include conferences, workshops, seminars, and media campaigns focused on the relevance of development data, the value of information sharing, and the potential impact of new technologies on the country's future progress. World Development Information Day takes place annually on October 24, serving as a reminder of the crucial role played by accurate information in shaping policy, strategy, and investment in support of South Africa's development aspirations.