BDT Director’s Corner (2019-2022) : Doreen Bogdan-Martin Virtual Meetings

​In historic elections, Doreen Bogdan-Martin received the majority of Member State votes, pledging meaningful connectivity as her goal. She will be the first woman to lead the UN specialized agency in its 157-year history.
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​​​Ms Bogdan-Martin underscored the role of connectivity, a whole-of-government approach, and collaboration, to build inclusive digital public infrastructure. ITU is working towards these goals through the GovStack initiative and Partner2Connect Digital Coalition. ​

​BDT Director Doreen Bogdan-Martin reflected on the achievements made by the Digital Coalition in just one year since its launch, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in 2021 – including having amassed over 450 pledges worth around $27 billion, from over 230 entities and more than 100 countries around the globe. ​

​Attending the first ‘’in-person’’ annual meeting in three years, BDT Director Doreen Bogdan-Martin commended partners across the 107 member network for their commitment and work across the four EQUALS coalitions on Access, Skills, Leadership and Research. 
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​''Imagine a world where no child’s future prospects need be compromised simply because of lack to access to education and information. That’s the Giga dream, and we hope that many more of you will join us in making it a reality’’, said Ms Bogdan-Martin. 
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​​BDT Director Doreen Bogdan-Martin noted that the HCM4A agreement ''marks another important step forward in delivering on the vision enshrined in the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy – that of an ‘integrated and inclusive digital society and economy that improves the quality of life of Africa’s citizens’’’. 
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​After the successful World Telecommunication Development Conference 2022 in Kigali, Rwanda, BDT Director Doreen Bogdan-Martin briefed Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives to the UN in Geneva on the outcomes of the Conference.  

​​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”.​​​​

​As the Roundtable opened, P2C had already received around 250 pledges from entities in 80 countries, which represented an estimated financial value of US$ 15.8 billion. As the Roundtable progressed, the number of pledges grew by 44%, and it closed with 360 pledges worth US$ 18.55 billion.​

​​WTDC-22 welcomed 2,152 delegates from 150 Member States, along with 340 Sector members and partners. Throughout the Conference delegates worked hard to build consensus and agreement on a Kigali Declaration and Action Plan, that will shape the work of ITU's Development Sector.​

​''As technology advances quickly, we must work to ensure that women's perspectives are reflected as quickly at all levels. This means women's equal representation in digital related matters in government, the private sector, academia, or otherwise - so that they play a role in creating the policies, frameworks and strategies that are shaping tomorrow's digital landscape,'' said BDT Director Ms Bogdan-Martin.​​

​​Over the course of an energized, action-packed three days, young people drew upon their experiences as digital natives, and shared and deliberated their ideas to build a better digital future for all.​

​The conversation focused on ways to support innovative financing models that ensure that connectivity projects are viable and bankable, and attract new donors and investors.​​

​Having observed that the international community has arrived at an inflection around its thinking around ICT policy, Ms Bogdan-Martin emphasized the importance of ensuring a right mix of old and new approaches towards regulation. She also outlined different strategies that policy-makers and regulators can adopt to navigate the complex process of digital transformation.​

​‘’We need to inspire women and girls to step up and become designers, creators, and leaders in this fast-evolving field, so that we build a gender-equitable digital future that meets everybody’s needs,’’ said Ms Bogdan-Martin.

​BDT Director Doreen Bogdan-Martin spoke on the importance of regulatory frameworks to support digital cooperation.​

​Partner2Connect pledges were made by Airtel, towards digital financial inclusion in India; from the Digital Impact Alliance, towards digital public goods; from Evercomm Singapore, towards tapping into the power of youth, grassroots organizations and data; and from the Government of the Dominican Republic towards the country's social digital basket, expanding digital infrastructure, regulation and 5G implementation.​

​''We call on all players across the ICT ecosystem and beyond to step up and work with us to connect those 2.9 billion still unconnected, and bring meaningful, life-changing connectivity to the hundreds of millions more who need better access to transform their lives. We cannot wait for another crisis. We need action now,'' urged Ms Bogdan-Martin.​

​Ms Bogdan-Martin emphasized that ''women need to be central to the process – from the very outset when designing policies for preparedness, to responding and recovering from disasters – so that solutions are designed in a way that meet their needs. This includes, for example, the development of multi-hazard early warning systems and the delivery of alerting messages to communities at risk.''​

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Ms Bogdan-Martin underscored that such solid preparation, ''will ensure that our efforts deliver maximum impact, through clear, concrete, implementable and measurable outcomes that transform not just tomorrow's digital landscape, but the lives of us all.''​

​Panelists shared their insights and experiences on the challenges faced by women in tech, and discussed ways forward to enable women to be equal players in this space. As moderator, Ms Bogdan-Martin noted that increasing the role of women as co-creators of the technologies that underpin every aspect of our world today, is vital to achieving a digitally inclusive future.​

​With mentees willing to return as mentors, Ms Bogdan-Martin noted that indeed the goal is to create a virtuous cycle of women helping women, so that women become equal contributors to the field of cybersecurity. ​

Ms Bogdan-Martin opened the stage of the Ministerial Programme at GSMA's Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain.​

​​Ms Bogdan-Martin conveyed to delegates that ITU and the broader UN family ''look forward to working even more proactively and productively alongside all of you, to build the digital bridges that will, at long last, put opportunity in the hands of all.''

​''I am very proud of our collaboration, as well as the tireless work of the Commission in presenting joint proposals from the region in the many ITU working groups,'' said Ms Bogdan-Martin. ​

​Noting how ''A smartphone, tablet or laptop puts the whole world in a girl's or a woman's pocket,'' Ms Bogdan-Martin stated, ''I believe promoting access to digital technologies for women and girls is the single most powerful intervention we can make in breaking down barriers, and giving women and girls more agency over the shape of their lives.''​

Ms Bogdan-Martin encouraged CEOs representing satellite operators to expand existing cooperation with ITU's Development sector, including through the bold new Partner2Connect Digital Coalition. ​

Ms Bogdan-Martin underscored the importance of delegates' work to ITU's Development sector, given that their efforts to ensure global interoperability are part and parcel of the mission to achieve 'connectivity for all'.​

​''We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to use the technologies and services at the heart of this Forum, combined with the power of multistakeholder partnership, to re-energize sustainable development and drive social and economic prosperity for all the world's people. Let's seize that opportunity with both hands," urged Ms Bogdan-Martin.

Ms Bogdan-Martin reflected on the solid progress achieved in many critical areas and urged active participation in the third and final IRM, scheduled for 14-15 March 2022.​

​BDT Director Doreen Bogdan-Martin ​praised the initiative's aim to foster closer collaboration and cooperation between two of the world's great tech powerhouses, noting that partnerships will be key to finding solutions to the many challenges we face today.

Ms Bogdan-Martin participated virtually in the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2021, held in Katowice, Poland from 6-10 December.

​''Building fully inclusive digital societies will take commitment, cooperation, and close collaboration between all stakeholders… Let's work together, to ensure that everyone gets their chance to be a full participant in the digital future,'' urged Ms Bogdan-Martin.​​

​​​''As with the first edition, I am confident that this new Guide will serve as an invaluable tool for policymakers, regulators, and every stakeholder with an interest in building a safe and robust digital environment,'' said Ms Bogdan-Martin.

​​''Our challenge now is to ensure that an enabling regional regulatory environment sustains strong 5G deployment, so that the benefits of cutting-edge connectivity can be leveraged by all, and for all,'' said Ms Bogdan-Martin. 

​In an intergenerational dialogue on digital development, Ms Bogdan-Martin shared experiences from her career and ITU's work to connect the unconnected, and the Changemakers shared their thoughts on digital challenges and digital opportunities for young people.​

Ms ​Bogdan-Martin welcomed the newly appointed board members and expressed her enthusiasm for the growth of the Network of Women for WTDC.​

​BDT and DIAL staff members discussed areas of joint work and cooperation to advance digital transformation.​​

​Ms Bogdan-Martin remarked, ''Together, and only together, can we ensure that we make WTDC the game-changing moment for connectivity and a landmark event for digital development.''​

​''There's not only an urgent need to address the gender digital divide that hinders women's access to tech, but empowering women's leadership will also be critical to our success in overcoming other inequalities that pervade the digital sphere,'' said Ms Bogdan-Martin.

​''With the growing importance of cybersecurity to every nation's digital development, we are working to remove the obstacles that are preventing women from entering and thriving in the field, through targeted capacity building efforts,'' said Ms Bogdan-Martin.​

​To further the connectivity agenda, Ms Bogdan-Martin noted that ''long-term successful alliances between committed partners, such as our collaboration with the European Commission and the African Union, are absolutely instrumental.''​

​Ms Bogdan-Martin encouraged participants to be bold and creative in dreaming up how the next decade of digital development could look. ''It is those ambitious, original, 'dare-to-dream' visions that will help us connect the world,'' she said. ​

​The BDT Director affirmed that achieving a breakthrough on the critical issues facing the planet and its people will involve putting aside our differences and learning to collaborate and cooperate on a truly unprecedented scale. ​

​BDT Director Doreen Bogdan-Martin moderated the Ministerial Roundtable on “Boosting infrastructure: rethinking the role of government in digital transformation''. 

​''I cannot emphasize enough the importance of the work of the study groups, and I am confident that you will once again steer the work towards a meaningful outcome,'' said Ms Bogdan-Martin. ​

Ms Bogdan-Martin described four factors necessary to ensure that no one will be left behind in the global digital transformation: ​(1) political will (2) sustained and innovative investment (3) strategic partnerships and (4) a mechanism to track progress in a transparent, holistic manner. 

​''There are huge opportunities here. If the global community can come together, we really can leverage broadband and high-speed digital infrastructure to make dramatic progress for the world,'' said Ms Bogdan-Martin. ​​

​''As we start to map out the shape of some kind of 'new normal', now is the moment to make sure that women and girls are prepared to take part in the wave of digital transformation sweeping our world,'' said Ms Bogdan-Martin.

“If women were digitally empowered with fast affordable home connectivity, with education and digital skills, and with the confidence that education and connectivity bring… imagine what could be achieved!" ​urged Ms Bogdan-Martin.​

​Ms Bogdan-Martin ​acknowledged the invaluable support provided by APT Members in important inter-regional coordination in the lead up to the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC).

Ms Bogdan-Martin told delegates “your guidance will provide key insights into how BDT should improve its products, services, positioning and value proposition to help connect the 3.7 billion people who are offline and build a better world."​

​Ms Bogdan-Martin ​​​praised Europe's commitment to support for digital development efforts, including close collaboration with ITU on many fronts to connect the unconnected. ​

''Building back better with broadband'' will be imperative to get the world back on track to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, explained Ms Bogdan-Martin.

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​​​​A window of opportunity to fast-track global digital development has been opened up by global attention on the critical role of connectivity. To make use of this, Ms Bogdan-Martin encouraged the adaptation of policy and regulatory frameworks to the 'new normal', and for regulators and policy makers to work hand-in-hand, across economic sectors and across borders. ​

​ITU is joining hands with Women's Entrepreneurship Accelerator and Mary Kay on a high-quality digital skills training programme. ''We truly look forward to collaborating with you to further unlock women entrepreneurs' contributions to the digital economy,'' said Ms Bogdan-Martin.​

Ms Bogdan-Martin praised Caribbean regulators' “swift leadership'' to adapt and keep networks running, and to contend with new regulatory demands brought about by the pandemic.

​“Universal connectivity and the need for associated digital capacities have never been more urgent, nor the time more ripe. Let's work together and empower everyone, everywhere with skills to participate in the digital future,'' said Ms Bogdan-Martin.

Ms Bogdan-Martin ​emphasized that ''connectivity is the thread that ties all the SDGs together''. While connectivity was previously seen as a ''nice to have'', the COVID crisis has revealed it's crucial role in social and economic development.​

Ms Bogdan Martin launched the Partner2Connect Digital Coalition – a multi-stakeholder alliance to foster meaningful connectivity and digital transformation in the hardest-to-connect communities, including in Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States.​

​Ms Bogdan-Martin provided an update on ITU-UNICEF Giga school connectivity initiative's work on the African continent, and described active engagement with the governments of Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Niger.

Ms Bogdan-Martin recognized the conference’s multidisciplinary character and its involvement of a broad plurality of participants as unique strengths, and called for people-centric multistakeholder partnerships to prevent the digital divide from becoming the new face of inequality. 
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​Underscoring the importance of accelerating women and girls' digital inclusion all over the world, Ms Bogdan-Martin remarked “EQUALS partners demonstrate every day that finding common ground, agreeing on goals, and leveraging diverse strengths is the best way to tackle complex, global issues."​​

​​​Ms Bogdan-Martin called for ''all hands on deck'' to work creatively and cross-sectorally to achieve meaningful connectivity for all.​

​While digital remains out of reach in some of the poorest parts of the world, this is where it could have its most transformational effect. To achieve this, Ms Bogdan-Martin explained the importance of progress in the interlocking areas of partnerships, regulatory reforms and capacity-building.​

​Ms Bogdan-Martin emphasised the need to shift from traditional siloed approaches to a more holistic approach, and noted that that the Smart Islands draw inspiration from ITU's Smart Villages model, ''taking an integrated approach to realize the benefits of digital transformation at the community level."​

​​Ms Bogdan-Martin urged universal connectivity to be every nation's new benchmark. ''Digital IS our new normal, but for all of us to benefit fully, we need everyone to benefit equally,'' she said.

Ms Bogdan-Martin stated that “digital technologies can play a powerful role in getting the SDGs back on track, and helping the LLDCs meet the goals and aspirations of the Vienna Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries for the Decade 2014–2024."

The BDT Director​ noted the important work of the group and encouraged discussions based on past achievements, to build up to an impactful conference. ​​

​​''Engaging in a 'dialogue of equals' will help each generation understand the challenges the other faces, and what each needs from tomorrow's technologies, so that we can ensure that digital remains a positive and catalytic force in building 'the world we want' '', said Ms Bogdan-Martin.

​Noting the enduring effects of the COVID pandemic on the ICT sector, Ms Bogdan-Martin affirmed that digital will be at the heart of every nation's social and economic recovery. ​​

​BDT Director Doreen Bogdan-Martin presented on various initiatives aimed at leveraging ICTs for development. Given that only 27% of the population in LLDCs is using the internet, LLDCs are a key focus for ITU in its mission to connect the unconnected.​​

​Ms Bogdan-Martin stated, ''Empowering women and girls to become equal co-creators of their – and our – digital future, is one of today's most urgent global imperatives.''​

''The populations of the world's poorest nations often lack access to opportunities, even formal education, but they do not lack ingenuity, talent or entrepreneurial drive… If we pair this huge store of entrepreneurial energy with the power and reach of digital, this can be the transformational force we need to advance global development by leaps and bounds,'' said Ms Bogdan-Martin.​

​Ms Bogdan-Martin expressed commitment to work with all stakeholders towards the goals of digital inclusion and universal affordably connectivity, as envisioned in the UN Secretary General's Roadmap for Digital Cooperation. She said, ''With our exceptionally diverse membership, ITU embodies the WSIS principles of multistakeholderism, and I can assure you we are not going to step back from that commitment to inclusivity.''

​​Ms Bogdan-Martin reaffirmed that a collaborative approach to leveraging the power of digital technologies will be critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. ​

​​​​Ms Bogdan-Martin explained that emerging technologies could have their most compelling applications in the developing world. She stated the need to collaborate with grassroots entrepreneurs and communities from LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS on new solutions, and empower them with the means to innovate for themselves.​​

​Emphasizing that the cost of exclusion is greater than the USD 430 billion cost it would take to connect the unconnected, Ms Bogdan-Martin pointed to the need for digital partnerships to expand connectivity.​

​​At the outset, Ms Bogdan-Martin noted that the ''role of the 'new generation' regulator is evolving into what we might call an 'architect of fit-for-purpose, collaborative regulation', helping shape and optimize the functioning of the digital markets that are now so vital to every segment of our economies, and our societies.''

''Gender balance and increasing diversity in digital development is not optional— inclusivity in all its aspects is a precursor to getting meaningful connectivity to all,'' said Ms Bogdan-Martin.

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 ''We look towards leaders – from all walks of life – to provide the vision and guidance that will mobilize global will and direct action towards achieving meaningful, universal connectivity,'' said Ms Bogdan-Martin.​

Ms Bogdan-Martin noted that the 2021 Mobile Gender Gap report highlights digital skills and literacy, and affordability as key areas to address the gender digital divide. 

Ms Bogdan-Martin encouraged further scientific research related to digital connectivity in the nations of Africa, to foster solutions that are best suited to varying local conditions. ​

Ms Bogdan-Martin said, ''In the context of the discussions at the upcoming 2021 Global Symposium for Regulators, it may be timely to re-examine and probe how ICT regulations can play a greater role in fast tracking connectivity.'' ​

​Recognizing the manner in which the private sector has contributed to extending connectivity during the COVID crisis, Ms Bogdan-Martin encouraged such private-public collaborative efforts to connect the unconnected. ​

''The strong growth now exhibited in many Asian markets speaks to a quick transitioning continent, one that recognizes the powerful transformative potential of technology for development, and one that is ready to embrace bold new approaches to drive growth,''​ ​said Ms Bogdan-Martin.

Urging the international community to put ''broadband for all'' as a top priority, Ms Bogdan-Martin explained that it is ‘’in the world’s most disadvantaged communities, that digital can have its most powerful transformational effect.'' 

​Ms Bogdan-Martin reaffirmed ITU's strong commitment to advancing digital accessibility, and noted that the assessment is an essential component of the Accessible Europe Initiative.​

​Ms Bogdan-Martin congratulated the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union, and observed that the important discussions taking place in the Forum would advance the goal of a digitally empowered Europe – one that brings meaningful connectivity for its people by 2030.​

​Ms Bogdan-Martin noted that the Connect2Recover initiative aims to strengthen countries' digital infrastructure ecosystems, and help them remain robust and resilient in times of major crisis.

​​​''I passionately believe, and I think you do too, that ICTs represent the most powerful catalyst for development that humanity has ever had at its disposal. Let's join our efforts to make sure that this catalyst becomes available to all individuals, all communities, and all nations,'' stated Ms Bogdan-Martin.​

Ms Bogdan-Martin noted that ''Caribbean is a diverse region which nonetheless boasts generally high levels of digital penetration.'' She remarked that the Caribbean region has worked hard to prioritize digital development, and that this commitment is bearing fruit.​

Ms Bodgan-Martin stated that Digital Financial Services ''can be a powerful driver of development – but we urgently need to put them within reach of the people who need them, and find ways to empower those people to use these transformational services safely, and productively, to improve their own lives, and the lives of their families and communities.''​

Ms Bogdan-Martin highlighted the need to put digital at the heart of COVID recovery efforts, and use connectivity as ''a catalyst, an accelerator, an enabler for each and every SDG.''​

​​​BDT Director Doreen Bogdan-Martin presented updates on the work of ITU's Development sector, particularly in the lead up to the upcoming World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC).​

''Constructive cooperation is the name of the game when it comes to pushing networks out into rural areas where, at first glance, it might not seem profitable to go – because the bottom line is that we all profit from bringing those still unconnected into our global community,'' said Ms Bogdan-Martin. ​

​Ms Bogdan-Martin recognized that the COVID-19 pandemic ''has brought to the fore our rapidly growing digital dependence and, in so doing, has highlighted our urgent need to come together around digital issues as part of our One UN strategy.''​

Ms Bogdan-Martin highlighted the unique ability that ICTs have in bringing the transformational power of education to children everywhere.​​​​

​ ''We need a 'Digital New Deal' for the planet, and the SG's Roadmap on Digital Cooperation shows us a clear way forward,'' said Ms Bogdan-Martin. She supported the UN Secretary-General's call for a 'new social contract' based on solidarity and investments in education, jobs, and health systems, and extended that vision to include investment in digital infrastructure.​

​​Ms Bogdan-Martin reaffirmed that the resources already exist, and creative, multistakeholder collaboration will be necessary to leverage them innovatively to connect the unconnected. ​