BDT Director Doreen Bogdan-Martin led the opening of a special session held between satellite association ESOA, an ITU-D sector member, and the Telecommunication Development Bureau. The session aimed to develop a better understanding of satellite technology and services and how they can contribute to the development agenda of ITU-D and the Sustainable Development Agenda.
Overall, the session provided BDT Staff with a better understanding of satellite technology and services, how ESOA through its wide membership can contribute to the UN's development agenda, and how BDT could add more value to ESOA's membership, including through more active participation in development work, based on win-win partnerships.
Ms Bogdan-Martin noted the pivotal role of the satellite industry in contributing to better connectivity, universal access and resilient ICT infrastructure. She mentioned several ITU initiatives in which there is further scope to engage with the satellite industry, including ITU's Digital Transformation Centres, the International Centre of Digital Innovation (I-CoDI), and the Giga initiative in partnership with UNICEF for school connectivity.
She remarked, ''We look forward to further collaboration with the satellite industry in our development projects, to achieve a digital transformation framework that accelerates progress on the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development.''
The session was the first in a series of similar events which will provide opportunities for BDT staff to explore solid relationships, partnership opportunities, and update Sector Members on current and future BDT work, and ultimately strengthen the bond between BDT and its Membership.
