Highlights – August 2025
28 July – 8 August
LLDC3: Global
The Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3) was held in Awaza, Turkmenistan from 5 to 8 August 2025. The international community — including over 100 Member States and 3000 participants, the UN system, international financial institutions, the private sector, civil society, academia, and youth representatives — gathered to review progress since the Vienna Programme of Action (2014–2024) and to discuss the newly adopted Awaza Programme of Action.
The ITU delegation, led by Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT), co-organized several events to highlight how digital connectivity is a catalyst for overcoming geographic and economic barriers. Events included the main Connectivity Track and two side events on ‘Emerging Technologies: Bridging the Gap in LLDCs’ and ‘Institutional Building Blocks and Digital Public Infrastructure for E-Commerce in LLDCs’. The BDT Director delivered the Statement of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) during the LLDC3 General Debate.
Africa-BB-Maps: Africa
BDT, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the Nigerian government, the European Commission and stakeholders from both public and private institutions gathered in Abuja, Nigeria to launch the Africa Broadband Maps project in the country. The event gave a global overview of the current state of broadband mapping and outlined the policy and technology requirements to help establish harmonized broadband mapping systems in Nigeria.
[This activity is the result of a BDT project. You can find more details of the project here]
Digital Inclusion: Global
From 28 July to 1 August 2025, the 2025–2026 cohort of Generation Connect Young Leadership Programme (GCYLP) fellows gathered in Geneva for an inspiring Development Week. Over five days, 31 young leaders from 25 countries engaged in immersive sessions on innovation, project management, and leadership. They connected with industry experts, exchanged ideas, and refined their digital development projects aimed at driving inclusive connectivity and empowering their communities worldwide.
Activities also included a tour of the UN Palais des Nations, hands-on masterclasses, and dynamic pitch sessions. By the end of the week, they left with actionable plans, strengthened networks, and the confidence to drive real digital impact. This transformative week was made possible thanks to the support of Huawei and the collaboration of partners such as the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the International Trade Centre.
The 31 fellows were selected by a global jury from a pool of 6,800 applicants.