As coordinator of the Group of Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) in Geneva, the Permanent Mission of Mongolia to the United Nations Office and other International Organisations in Geneva convened a meeting of Ambassadors of LLDCs, for a briefing on the work of ITU's Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT).
BDT Director Doreen Bogdan-Martin presented on various initiatives aimed at leveraging ICTs for development. Given that only 27% of the population in LLDCs is using the internet, LLDCs are a key focus for ITU in its mission to connect the unconnected.
She noted the role that ICTs can play in meeting the goals of the Vienna Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries for the Decade 2014–2024.
''Recognizing that a number of LLDCs are also LDCs, we are also determined to ensure that the outcomes of LDC5 next January recognize digital as the critical component needed to get us back on track to meet our global goals,'' she said.
Ms Bogdan-Martin along with BDT staff members shared information on work to expand connectivity to the hardest-to-reach communities, such as through the Giga project for school connectivity, the Connect2Recover initiative to strengthen digital resiliency, and the Partner2Connect Digital Coalition specifically aimed at meeting the needs of LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS. She reaffirmed that BDT's doors remain open to support LLDCs with their digital transformation endeavors.
Find the BDT Director's full remarks here.
