The ITU Regional Development Forum for Americas (RDF-AMS) organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and hosted by the Government of El Salvador took place on 16-18 August 2023 in San Salvador, El Salvador. The RDF-AMS was held together with the ITEC-ITU New Technologies and Internet Colloquium.
RDF-AMS reported on the outcomes, and ongoing implementation of the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-22) held in Kigali, Rwanda in June 2022. Emphasis was given to the four Regional Initiatives for Americas approved at WTDC-22.
RDF-AMS provided an opportunity for the exchange of views between ITU and decision-makers of ITU Member States and Sector Members as well as other stakeholders in the Americas region. It served as a platform for an exchange of views on how to achieve meaningful connectivity and sustainable digital transformation in the region and focused on matchmaking between Member States' needs, and Partner pledges under the
Partner2Connect Digital Coalition that have so far attracted over 750 pledges valued at 30 billion dollars. The aim will be together with partners, to operationalize these pledges and implement across the Americas region as impactful projects.
In that context, the ITU Office for Americas launched a
Regional Consultation that presented an opportunity for ITU Member States, Sector Members, and other stakeholders to contribute to ITU’s activities at the regional level taking into account the strategic needs of the region and partner offerings/commitments during the period, 2023 – 2025.
Stakeholders (Member States, and Partners) who attended this RDF’S Partner2Connect roundtables were invited to submit their written contributions in advance to be used as basis for discussions.
Participation of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the RDF-AMS 2023
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) being vulnerable countries that face particular situations of social, economic and environmental vulnerabilities and constraints, their participation in the Regional Development Forum of the Americas was fundamental. RDF-AMS 2023 promoted the active participation of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) representatives and the cooperation of the various actors to achieve the development of communications and meaningful connectivity of its citizens. Likewise, ITU's initiatives, programmes and projects have been promoting the development of these countries as a priority, through the Regional Initiatives.
RDF-AMS 2023 was
open to all stakeholders willing to strengthen cooperation and partnership among telecommunication/ICT policymakers, regulators, industry, academia, regional and international development agencies, and organizations on specific regional telecommunication and ICT matters.
Within the framework of the Regional Development Forum 2023, the ITEC 2023 Colloquium on New Technologies and Internet held a half-day session under the theme
“INNOVATION IN CONNECTIVITY.” The discussion at this event was centred around the public and private perspectives.
The forum was conducted in Spanish and English.
ITEC 2023 Workshops
During the third day of the event, within the framework of ITEC 2023, a parallel agenda of workshops on digital transformation was held for Women Entrepreneurs, young entrepreneurs from El Salvador. Likewise, a workshop on Regulatory Innovation was held for staff from regulatory teams of companies and regulatory bodies in the region.
Watch some highlights from RDF-AMS 2023
Fellowships
In order to encourage the participation of developing countries and subject to the availability of funds, one partial fellowship (daily subsistence allowance only) may be granted per eligible Member State of the Americas Region. Member States are encouraged to select their candidates taking into consideration the inclusion of persons with disabilities and persons with specific needs, bearing in mind gender balance. Priority will be given to the candidates who submit a contribution to the Regional Development Forum according to the parameters of the call to AMS-RDF2023, as they were sent in the invitation (review the contribution template). The deadline to apply for the fellowship is 30 June 2023.
