BDT Director Doreen Bogdan-Martin addressed the opening and closing plenary sessions of the fourth meeting of ITU-D Study Group 2, on 15 and 19 March respectively.
ITU-D Study Groups provide an opportunity for membership to share experiences, present ideas, exchange views, and achieve consensus on appropriate strategies to address telecommunication/ICT priorities. Study Group 2 particularly considers ICT services and applications for the promotion of sustainable development.
Ms Bogdan-Martin noted that over 90 ITU member states and 30 sector members participated in this fourth meeting of ITU-D Study Group 2. She recognized delegates' hard work over the past four years, which led to the production of high-quality output reports for the 2018-2021 study period.
She conveyed her gratitude for the adoption of the reports. Highlighting the value of the reports, Ms Bogdan-Martin encouraged delegates to promote awareness on them so that others can also benefit from their critical findings, and so that the lessons learnt could be put to good use. ''I am looking forward to your continued thinking, participation and engagement in order to leverage these results and transform people's lives around the world for the better,'' she said.
Commending the Chair of Study Group 2 Dr Ahmad Sharafat for his leadership of two study periods for eight years, Ms Bogdan-Martin applauded him for being the source of inspiration and admiration for many.
She thanked delegates for their dedication to the work of ITU-D, and invited them to remain engaged and continue providing their useful contributions in the preparatory process towards the 2021 World Telecommunication Development Conference.
