BDT Director Doreen Bogdan-Martin gave opening remarks to the 2020 Regional Development Forum for the Americas region. The Forum aimed to present the work of the Telecommunication Development Bureau, as well as to expose the new challenges and opportunities to interested parties to contribute efficiently to the work of ITU in the Americas.
The RDF-AMS 2020 reported on results and impact-oriented activities performed in the region, with special emphasis on the five Regional Initiatives for the Americas (AMS-RI) approved by Member States. It provided an opportunity for high-level dialogue between ITU and Americas decision-makers of Member States and Sector Members as well as other stakeholders.
Ms Bogdan-Martin addressed areas in which the region is facing challenges, including problems that have been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and ITU actions to tackle them. In terms of inclusion, she noted that youth unemployment is rising at alarming rates in the region, and ITU has attempted to tackle this through digital skills provision, including through its new Digital Transformation Centres.
She highlighted that while the digital gender gap is not as large in the Americas region as compared to other parts of the world, the gap particularly persists in terms of digital skills and women in the ICT sector. Accessibility is also an important factor for inclusion, and Ms Bogdan-Martin shared some ITU initiatives to ensure digital information, services and products are accessible to all people including persons with disabilities. She also emphasized the importance of getting the right mix of regulation and policy. Without this, crucial investments for digital infrastructure will be difficult to attain.
While many schools in Latin America and the Caribbean have some ICT and internet connectivity, speeds remain somewhat slow and service costs are relatively high, especially for the vulnerable and those in rural communities. Ms Bogdan-Martin invited all countries to join ITU and UNICEF in the Giga initiative to connect all schools to the internet. She also highlighted ITU's initiatives to address child online safety, given the sharp rise in cyber attacks, phishing, malware, cyber bulling and online harassment, and child online sexual exploitation.
In the context of preparedness, Ms Bogdan-Martin explained that given the COVID emergency, ITU has also amended emergency telecommunication plans and is continuing to work closely with partners to ensure that epidemic preparedness is included in emergency preparedness and response efforts. She also mentioned that ITU has provided assistance to several countries in the region in the preparation of their national emergency telecommunication plans, in the establishment of early warning and surveillance systems, and in the supply of emergency telecommunications equipment.
However, Ms Bogdan- Martin underscored that the ''tremendous power of technology to help us overcome all these challenges can only be leveraged when connectivity is equally distributed, accessible and affordable to all.''
