Dr Fadel Digham, Chair of Study Group 2,
Vice-Chairs,
TDAG Chair, Ms Assoumou-Bessou,
Ladies and gentlemen.
It is my pleasure to welcome you to this first meeting of ITU-D Study Group 2 for the 2026-2029 study period.
Following WTDC-25 in Baku, I am pleased to see many experts ready to translate the mandates of the conference into tangible results.
Let me begin by offering my congratulations to Dr Fadel Digham on his re-appointment as Chair of Study Group 2.
His expertise and hard work has been a cornerstone of our progress and I am confident that the work of this Study Group will advance rapidly under his continued leadership. I also congratulate the newly appointed Vice-Chairs. Your commitment is essential to our success.
Also, the presence of our new TDAG Chair, Ms Assoumou-Bessou, shows that TDAG fully trusts in this group’s capacity
and is ready to guide and support you as we begin this new cycle.
As we embark on this new study period, the role of Study Group 2 is more critical than ever.
The core theme of “digital transformation” remains at the very heart of the new Baku Action Plan and the ITU Strategic Plan and is fully aligned with my vision which I set out three years ago closing the digital gap bridging the digital skills gap and accelerate sustainable digital transformation.
You may recall that at WTDC-25 the decision was to reduce Study Questions from seven to five as reflected in Resolution 2.
These questions provide a clear roadmap for enabling digital transformation including through smart cities, communities and services the environment and human exposure to electromagnetic fields developing a culture of cybersecurity telecommunication and ICT equipment issues and the development of digital skills.
They build on the seven questions considered in the previous cycle, but I would like to draw particular attention to two new topics included in the new Questions.
First, the availability and affordability of user devices. Meaningful connectivity and digital transformation are impossible if the devices to connect remain out of reach for the most vulnerable.
This work is linked to Resolutions such as WTDC Resolution 37 on Bridging the digital divide as well as several Regional Initiatives across regions which explicitly seek to reduce the price of smartphones and other ICT devices to drive inclusion.
Second, the adoption and utilization of new and emerging services and technologies, such as artificial intelligence. This topic is pivotal for bridging the digital divide and linked for example to the new WTDC Resolution 91 (Baku, 2025) on AI technologies in telecommunication development.
Several Regional Initiatives also prioritize these emerging services and technologies to ensure that no one is left behind in this digital revolution.
Ladies and gentlemen, the impact of your work is real.
The end-of-cycle survey for the two study groups highlights that the results of your studies have been used as a benchmark for regulatory development as guides for policy formulation in several countries and as evidence to guide implementation of projects.
To increase impact, I encourage you to distribute the latest final reports widely within your networks.
Esteemed colleagues, this week is foundational.
You will appoint new rapporteurs and vice-rapporteurs and I thank our Member States who submitted so many nominations.This is a testament to the importance of the study topics.
You will also develop comprehensive work plans and define the roadmaps for future interim deliverables and final reports.
I look forward to the successful outcomes of your deliberations, and I wish you a very productive and fruitful meeting week.
Thank you!
