Esteemed colleagues,
Partners and mentors,
and most importantly, finalists.
It is my pleasure to join you today to celebrate the successful completion of the third edition of the Women in GovTech Challenge.
In just a few years, the Women in GovTech Challenge has evolved from a promising initiative into a truly global platform for innovation, collaboration, and leadership in digital government.
This year, we received more than 1,300 applications
from 85 countries, leading to a network of 280 mentors and mentees.
Participants progressed beyond concepts and design frameworks to develop 30 functional prototypes, each addressing real public service delivery challenges.
Yet the most important achievement cannot be measured by numbers alone.
Behind every application, every team and every prototype
is a story of learning, collaboration and determination. Through structured training, mentorship, team-based problem solving,
and hands-on development, you transformed ideas into practical solutions.
You tackled real-world public sector challenges
and applied the GovStack approach to digital public infrastructure, turning innovative ideas into solutions that can improve service delivery for citizens.
On behalf of ITU, I would like to express our sincere appreciation to our founding and implementing partners, including GIZ and ESTDEV, as well as our close collaborators at the World Bank, UNDP, and many others.
Your continued support has helped transform this initiative from a pilot effort into a growing global movement,
and one that is empowering women to lead digital transformation.
Most importantly, today is about the finalists.
You have demonstrated what is possible when women are given the tools, mentorship and opportunity to lead in GovTech. You are not simply preparing for future leadership roles. You are already designing, building, and shaping digital public services that can improve lives, strengthen institutions,
and expand opportunities for communities around the world.
This initiative builds on a very strong foundation that we built at ITU especially at the Telecommunication Development Bureau. Our focus on Gap is of immense importance for us. A few years ago, we entered into a partnership with Telecentre.ORS where we connected 6 million women across the world.
After taking office, I launched the HerCyber Tracks initiative that empowers women in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence with four pillars: Training, mentoring, inspiring and networking. We recently had 550 women graduating. I thank many of our partners: German Federal Foreign Office, EU, Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, GIZ, UN Office on Drugs and Crime, and the Latin America and Caribbean Cyber Competence Centre.
Let me move on to our Generation Connect:
Young Leadership Programme which I launched two years ago with Huawei. Annually, including this year, it attracts 6000+ applications. The jury which I also sit on selects 30 best of the best who demonstrate potential through their projects design grounded in innovation and aimed at solving challenges faced by their communities. The winners receive seed funds to implement their ideas.
We have also achieved a lot of impact partnering with Ernst and Young through our joint initiative to train or help young women to build capacity in AI. We have a lot of testimonials on the impact of this initiative.
Finally, the Women in GovTech Challenge is a tool in our toolbox. We are pleased for contributing to its development. ITU celebrates Girls in ICT Day in April every year. In 2023 we were hosted by Zimbabwe and 1000 girls participated. In 2024, hosted by the Philippines, and in 2025 and 2026 by Kyrgyzstan and Mauritania, then by Albania and Brazil. Then we are proud of the work we do in the Development Sector on Network of Women in ITU-D and its Advisory Board that provides mentorship to other women and girls.
Congratulations to all the finalists of the Women in GovTech Challenge 2026.
Your work matters, your leadership matters, and your impact is only just beginning.
Thank you!
