BDT Director Doreen Bogdan-Martin moderated ITU's special side event at the High-Level Political Forum for Sustainable Development, that took place under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council. The event focused on ''Digital Partnerships for a Sustainable and Resilient Recovery from COVID-19.''
It brought together ITU partners who shared their insights on the role of ICTs in a robust recovery from the global pandemic, and how increased cross-sectoral partnerships are needed to ensure a meaningful digital transformation that works for all.
Speakers included, Mr Fayaz King, Deputy Executive Director, UNICEF; Ms Carla Montesi, Director, Green Deal and Digital Transformation, Directorate General for International Partnerships, European Commission; H.E. Dr Ahmedin Mohammed Ahmed, State Minister, ICT and Digital Transformation Sector, Ministry of Innovation & Technology (MInT), Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; H.E. Ms Nele Leosk, Ambassador for Digital Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Estonia; Ms Ingrid-Gabriela Hoven, Managing Director, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ), Germany; Dr Ali H. Alghamdi, Health Consultant, King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Ms Buddy Buruku, Senior Expert, Finance, Competitiveness & Innovation Global Practice, World Bank; Mr. Lucas Gallitto, Head of Region, Latin America, GSMA; Mr Shalin Jyotishi, Member of the Generation Connect Visionaries Board.
Ms Bogdan-Martin reaffirmed that a collaborative approach to leveraging the power of digital technologies will be critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Encouraging the spirit of partnership, she invited stakeholders to join ITU's Partner 2 Connect Digital Coalition, a multi-stakeholder alliance to accelerate digital transformation in the hardest-to-connect communities, including LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS.
Find the BDT Director's opening remarks here.
