BDT Director Doreen Bogdan-Martin gave a keynote speech at the Conference on International Connectivity and the EU Atlantic Data Gateway Platform, organized by the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
She 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.
As increased demand has put significant pressure on infrastructure underpinning connectivity, Ms Bogdan-Martin said that ''boosting the availability of international bandwidth has also become of paramount importance in today's globalized economy.'' She noted the important role of submarine cables in providing vital high-speed backbones to support greater inter-regional and international connectivity.
However, emphasizing that infrastructure alone will not alone lead to digitally empowered communities, Ms Bogdan-Martin underlined the importance of creating enabling policy and regulatory frameworks, as well as capacity development.
She congratulated Portugal for great progress achieved on connectivity, and for stimulating productive discussions on the issue of connectivity during the country's Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Watch the BDT Director's full address here.
Read her full address here.
