Honourable Ministers,
Mr John Omo, ATU Secretary General
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen.
It is my distinct honor to address you at this Second African Preparatory Meeting for the 2026 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference.
I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the African Telecommunications Union, which has shown exemplary leadership in organizing a series of Preparatory Meetings on the road to the 2026 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference.
In this same vein, I wish to express ITU’s sincere gratitude to the administration of Zimbabwe, for graciously hosting us here in Victoria Falls.
I take this opportunity to also thank the Namibian government for hosting the first African preparatory meeting in Windhoek in 2024.
Open dialogue and collective deliberations are vital to the success of our shared endeavors.
Over the past two days, many of you took part in the Regional Development Forum for Africa, and made excellent contributions towards the successful implementation of the Regional Initiatives for our region, agreed and adopted at last year’s World Telecommunication Development Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan.
This Preparatory Meeting is an important opportunity for African Member States to bring forward unified proposals at the upcoming ITU Plenipotentiary Conference, so that the collective interests of the region are coordinated, presented and considered.
The Plenipotentiary Conference will carefully review and consider the outcomes from statutory conferences of the Union, including the World Radiocommunication Conference 2023, the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly 2024, and, of course, the World Telecommunication Development Conference 2025.
These conferences have produced significant outcomes. By reflecting on these, you can meaningfully align your contributions,to ensure coherence. The primary goal should be to ensure that your contributions are aligned with continental digital priorities and vision.
Ladies and gentlemen,
This meeting is an opportunity for you to reaffirm your shared commitment to advancing universal meaningful connectivity,
and sustainable digital transformation across Africa.
By working together, you can ensure that African voices are heard, and that your needs are addressed at the global stage.
I encourage all delegates to engage actively, collaborate openly, and bring forward innovative ideas that will strengthen Africa’s contributions to the PP-26.
I am here as the Elected Official representing ITU. I will be available to answer questions pertaining to the ITU when they arise. I also have our Chief of Finance who could also help on matters of finance, contributory units and general overview of the PP-26 etc.
I wish you all productive deliberations, and look forward to meaningful outcomes that will drive sustainable growth and inclusive digital development for the continent and contribute to a successful 2026 Plenipotentiary Conference.
Thank you!
