Page 9 - BDT Year in Review 2019 - On the road to digital transformation through meaningful connectivity

Enhancing Partnerships for Impact

Partnering for Digital Transformation
ICT development represents an extraordinary
BDT Partnerships in 2019
opportunity to really change the world. 28 new partnership agreements
Technologies are the building blocks Estimated value USD 12.6M
supporting socio-economic development.
However, this potential can only be fully
exploited through partnerships and cooperation. All players need to collaborate closely – if we
all want to benefit from digital transformation.

BDT continues to work closely with other UN organizations to provide ICT development
assistance in a more coherent and better-coordinated way at the country level in pursuit of advancing
meaningful connectivity.

ITU Regional Initiatives
Adopted by ITU Members at the WTDC, regional initiatives implement small, medium and large projects
designed to meet the region's needs. The priorities are set by each region and are fully supported and
integrated across all BDT’s thematic priorities.

Regional initiatives contribute to accelerating the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development and make a real difference on the ground, helping to improve people’s lives, with
impact and tangible results.

Partnerships for Impact: Bridging the Gender Digital Divide
Around the globe in developing or developed countries, women are being held back from participating in the
financial, educational, social and health resources of the digital technology-driven world – both in terms of
benefiting from these and contributing to these. The digital gender divide is one of the largest gender divides
in our world today – while its negative impact is substantial and felt by all.

As a founding partner of the Equals Global Partnership, ITU will continue to promote awareness, build
political commitment, leverage resources and knowledge, harness the capacities of partners, and support real
action. We will seek to achieve digital gender equality and through this, to improve the livelihoods of millions
around the world.

The Equals in Tech awards celebrates those working to close the gender digital divide. Every year, EQUALS
gives awards to individuals as well as organizations that help girls and women gain equal access, skills and
opportunities within the tech industry. Winners are chosen from five categories: Access, Leadership in SMEs,
Leadership in Tech, Research and Skills.

In 2020, the global community will mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on
Women and adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. The most visionary agenda for
women’s rights and empowerment everywhere.

International Girls in ICT Day and the African Girls can
Code Initiative both contribute to the EQUALS mission
of bridging the gender digital divide.

BDT 2019 Year in Review: On the road to Digital Transformation through Meaningful Connectivity
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