BDT Director's Corner: News

The Republic of Singapore as the Chair of the Forum of Small States (FOSS) hosted BDT Director Ms Doreen Bogdan-Martin, along with the newly appointed UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology Dr Amandeep Singh Gill,​ to address the Forum on the topic of “Digital Accessibility, Connectivity and Engagement”.

In conversation with Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Singapore H.E. Umej Bhatia, they provided a cross-UN perspective on the imperative of connectivity and digital technologies for development, given that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has underscored the tremendous potential of digital technologies to make up lost ground towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

Ms Bogdan-Martin described ITU’s efforts to drive digital transformation both with and within small states. She noted the important role that small states have played in developing the outcomes of ITU’s recent World Telecommunication Development Conference and in the Partner2Connect initiative. The implementation of the WTDC outcomes and Partner2Connect pledges will advance the vision outlined in the UN Secretary-General’s Roadmap for Digital Cooperation and ‘’Our Common Agenda’’, including related to the Global Digital Compact and Transforming Education Summit.