Report on the Resilient Digital Infrastructure Summit and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction and Strategic Context

An announcement has been made for the Resilient Digital Infrastructure Summit, scheduled for September 18, 2025. This event is designed to convene leaders from the broadband, energy, and technology sectors to address critical vulnerabilities in the nation’s digital and energy infrastructure. The summit’s objectives directly support several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, by focusing on the development of quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure to support economic development and human well-being.

The keynote address will be delivered by Jase Wilson, Founder and CEO of Ready.net, who will outline a strategic framework for rethinking national infrastructure to withstand modern threats and support future technological advancements such as Artificial Intelligence.

Core Thematic Areas and SDG Linkages

The summit will examine the interconnectedness of digital infrastructure, energy security, and national resilience. Discussions are structured to advance progress on multiple SDGs by addressing the following areas:

• Universal and Resilient Last-Mile Connectivity: The focus on the BEAD program’s implementation aims to ensure universal access to information and communications technology. This directly contributes to SDG 9.c (significantly increase access to ICT and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet) and supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by closing the digital divide.
• Infrastructure Security and Resilience: By exploring threats to the internet backbone, data centers, and electricity transmission lines, the summit addresses the core of SDG 9.1 (develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure). It also aligns with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by working to make human settlements safer and more resilient against disruptions, and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) by safeguarding critical assets from conflict and attack.
• Energy Infrastructure Fortification: Securing the nation’s energy infrastructure is a key topic, which supports SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) by ensuring the reliability and resilience of energy services, a prerequisite for sustainable development.
• Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration: The event itself serves as a platform for public-private partnerships, a critical mechanism for achieving the goals as outlined in SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Summit Agenda: A Strategic Roadmap for Sustainable Infrastructure

The summit’s agenda provides a strategic roadmap for building high-performance networks that are both resilient and sustainable. Key sessions will focus on practical and strategic guidance aligned with global development objectives.

1. Cybersecurity & Supply Chain Integrity: This session will detail methods to safeguard broadband infrastructure, a foundational element for building the strong and resilient institutions required by SDG 16 and the reliable infrastructure of SDG 9.
2. Infrastructure Resilience in the BEAD Era: An examination of how regulatory guidance and risk assessment are shaping state-level approaches to building resilient communities, directly impacting the implementation of SDG 11.
3. Lessons from the Field: Case studies from state leaders and operators on disaster recovery will provide actionable insights, promoting the integrated planning and management essential for SDG 11.b.
4. Future-Proofing America’s Digital Backbone: This discussion will explore what is required to create systems that can withstand shocks, a core tenet of building the resilient infrastructure central to SDG 9.
5. Digital Deterrence in a Time of Strategic Conflict: This session addresses the emerging challenges of digital warfare, emphasizing the need for robust infrastructure to maintain peace and security, in line with the principles of SDG 16.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   The article is fundamentally about developing resilient, reliable, and sustainable infrastructure. It focuses on the “nation’s telecom and electric grids,” “universal last-mile BEAD implementation,” and building a “digital backbone” that can support the AI revolution and withstand threats. This directly aligns with the core principles of SDG 9.

2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   The emphasis on making infrastructure resilient to “natural disasters” and other disruptions connects to making human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The article discusses “disaster recovery” and creating systems that can “take a hit—and keep going,” which is central to Target 11.5 on reducing the impact of disasters.

3. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   The article explicitly mentions the need to secure the “nation’s energy infrastructure” and “interstate electricity transmission lines.” It also highlights the “rising demand for energy” due to new technologies like AI, pointing to the need for a reliable and modern energy grid, which is a key component of SDG 7.

4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   The discussion on threats such as “tactical Electromagnet Pulse (EMP),” “heightened global conflict,” and the “emerging doctrine of digital warfare” relates to national security and stability. The article calls for action from “federal policymakers, utilities, and network builders” to safeguard infrastructure, which involves strengthening national institutions to prevent conflict and maintain peace.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  • Target 9.1: “Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.” The article’s entire theme revolves around the “Resilient Digital Infrastructure Summit,” aiming to ensure telecom and electric grids can “withstand threats and attacks” and are “ready for whatever comes next.” The mention of “universal last-mile BEAD implementation” directly addresses the goal of equitable access.
  • Target 9.c: “Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet.” The focus on the “BEAD program” and achieving “universal last-mile BEAD implementation” directly supports the principle of providing universal internet access.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  • Target 11.5: “By 2030, significantly reduce… the direct economic losses… caused by disasters… with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations.” The article’s concern with infrastructure withstanding “natural disasters” and the agenda item “Lessons from the Field: State broadband leaders and infrastructure operators share case studies on disaster recovery” directly address disaster risk reduction and resilience.

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  • Target 7.1: “By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services.” The article highlights the need to secure “interstate electricity transmission lines” and the “nation’s energy infrastructure” to ensure the grid is reliable in the face of threats and rising demand.
  • Target 7.b: “By 2030, expand infrastructure and upgrade technology for supplying modern and sustainable energy services for all…” The text points to a “rising demand for energy, compute, and storage” from the “AI revolution,” necessitating an upgrade and expansion of energy infrastructure to support this technological advancement.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  • Target 16.1: “Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.” The article addresses modern forms of conflict by discussing “digital warfare,” “tactical Electromagnet Pulse (EMP),” and “heightened global conflict,” which threaten national stability and critical services.
  • Target 16.a: “Strengthen relevant national institutions… to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime.” The article calls for “federal policymakers, utilities, and network builders” to understand and respond to these threats, which implies strengthening the capacity of these institutions to protect the nation.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• For SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure)

  • Implied Indicator: Percentage of the population covered by resilient broadband networks. This is implied by the goal of “universal last-mile BEAD implementation.”
  • Implied Indicator: Level of investment in digital and energy infrastructure. This is implied by the event’s title, “Resilient Digital Infrastructure Investment Summit,” and the discussion on the need to “invest in AI at the edge.”
  • Implied Indicator: Infrastructure downtime/recovery time following a disruption. This is implied by the goal to “withstand threats and attacks” and “create systems that can take a hit—and keep going.”

• For SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

  • Implied Indicator: Number of service disruptions to critical infrastructure caused by disasters. This is implied by the agenda topic on “disaster recovery” case studies.
  • Implied Indicator: Implementation of disaster risk reduction strategies for critical infrastructure. This is implied by the summit’s focus on preparing for “natural disasters” and sharing “Lessons from the Field.”

• For SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)

  • Implied Indicator: Reliability of the energy grid (e.g., frequency/duration of outages). This is implied by the need to ensure the “electric grids can withstand threats and attacks.”
  • Implied Indicator: Capacity of the energy grid to meet peak demand, including new demand from AI. This is implied by the concern over “Rising demand for energy, compute, and storage.”

• For SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)

  • Implied Indicator: Number of cyber and physical attacks on critical national infrastructure. This is implied by the agenda item “Cybersecurity & Supply Chain Integrity” and mentions of threats like “digital warfare” and “EMP.”
  • Implied Indicator: Existence of national policies and doctrines for digital deterrence. This is implied by the agenda topic “Digital Deterrence in a Time of Strategic Conflict” and what “federal policymakers… must understand.”

Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: broadbandbreakfast.com