Mr June Michael Salcor, Communications and Outreach Officer, Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT), International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Moderator
| Mr June Michael Salcor is a Communications and Outreach Officer at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations agency for digital technologies. He is currently managing the communications portfolio of ITU’s Climate Change and Emergency Telecommunications Division, driving visibility and stakeholder engagement on issues at the intersection of technology, climate resilience, connectivity, and emergency preparedness and response.With over 15 years of experience in communications, advocacy, media relations, and partner engagement—and more than a decade of which within the UN system—he led strategic communications initiatives spanning tech for development, humanitarian coordination, public health, migration, innovation, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). His expertise covers social media, media relations, web and content management, editorial production, events coordination, and capacity building for digital communications—helping strengthen organizational reputation, foster partnerships, and support resource mobilization efforts.
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Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director, Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT), International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Opening remarks
| Dr Cosmas Zavazava took office as Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on 1 January 2023.
With more than 30 years in telecommunications, including over 20 years in ITU's Development Sector, Dr Zavazava has promoted and implemented impactful information and communication technology projects around the world.
Prior to his election as BDT Director, he served as ITU's Chief of Partnerships for Digital Development , overseeing development-related projects, strategic partnerships, and resource mobilization between 2019 and 2022, while launching new initiatives that have boosted the engagement of industry, private-sector and academia members in ITU's work.
Previously, as ITU's Chief of Projects and Initiatives, he oversaw development projects focused on gender, youth, and people with special needs, along with capacity building, emergency telecommunications, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and e-waste management.
Earlier, Dr Zavazava headed the Republic of Zimbabwe's Government Telecommunications Agency and served as a senior diplomat. He also taught MBA classes at the UK's Nottingham Trent University.
Throughout his career, he has focused on closing the digital and skills divide and accelerating digital transformation to achieve socio-economic development for all.
Dr Zavazava holds a PhD in Multilateral Trade from Business School Lausanne (Switzerland), and a Master of Laws degree in Telecommunications and Information Technology from the University of Strathclyde (UK), as well as a Master's in International Relations from Webster University (US), and an MBA from the University of Zimbabwe. He also holds a Bachelor's in Business Administration and diplomas in Telecommunications and Systems Engineering.
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Ms Maritza Delgado, Programme Officer, Climate Change and Emergency Telecommunications Division (BDT), International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Panelist
| Ms Maritza Delgado is a Program Officer in the Climate Change and Emergency Telecommunications Division of the International Telecommunication Union’s Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT). In this role, she supports countries in leveraging digital technologies for disaster risk reduction and management. Her work involves the development of National Emergency Telecommunication Plans, as well as the promotion of enabling environments through regulatory, policy, and legal frameworks. She also contributes to key projects, guidelines, and reports that integrate digital innovation into national disaster preparedness and response strategies.
Maritza leads the ITU Response Programme, which provides support to countries in the immediate aftermath of disasters. She holds a university degree in Electronic Engineering and Telecommunications and brings over 20 years of experience in the field of disaster management.
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Mr Brent Carbno, Global Cluster Coordinator for the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC)
Panelist
| Mr Brent Carbno is the Global Cluster Coordinator for the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC), led by the World Food Programme (WFP), bringing 25 years of experience in telecommunications and over 20 years in humanitarian response, including six years with WFP. Based at WFP Headquarters, he leads the Global ETC Team, overseeing the coordination and delivery of shared communications and technology services in emergency operations, while managing engagement with a broad network of cluster members, partners, and global stakeholders. He also leads global preparedness efforts, working with governments and first responders to strengthen readiness and ensure more effective, coordinated responses to future emergencies. Prior to taking up this role in 2020, Brent led global field programmes for a technology-focused NGO and spent nearly two decades in the private sector, where he progressed from engineer to leading a global humanitarian disaster response programme for eight years. Since 2005, he has deployed to numerous emergencies—including Jamaica, where he served as a local coordinator, as well as Pakistan, Haiti, South Sudan, Nepal, and the Philippines—bringing extensive operational experience. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in science and remains committed to leveraging technology to enhance both emergency response and preparedness across the humanitarian system.
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Mr Dulip Tillekeratne, Strategic Partnerships Director, Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation, GSMA
Panelist
| Mr Dulip is the Strategic Partnerships Director for the Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation (M4H) programme based in Kandy, Sri Lanka. He works closely with mobile operators, technical partners, humanitarian organisations as well as public sector stakeholders on projects that contribute to accelerating the delivery and impact of digital humanitarian assistance. The strategic partnerships team continuously supports mobile operators, technical and humanitarian partners to collaborate and work towards more innovative and resilient digital solutions for communities faced with sudden onset disasters and protracted crisis. In his previous role, Dulip led the Mobile Innovation Hub project in Indonesia and was a founding member of the GSMA ClimateTech programme.
Prior to GSMA, Dulip worked with Axiata Group in Malaysia and its OpCo Dialog in Sri Lanka managing their sustainability reporting process. He also set up the sustainability strategy for the Axiata Group. Dulip’s first degree is in Natural Sciences. He’s a trained GRI professional, ISO 9001 and SA8000 auditor.
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