Highlights February 2023
27 February - 3 March
Cybersecurity: Arab States
ITU, with the support of the UK Home Office, is working with the lead cybersecurity agency in Morocco to support the development of a new National Cybersecurity Strategy (NCS) which is set to launch later this year.
ITU also organized a national consultation workshop in which participants from national stakeholders, private sector and civil society joined lively discussions and exercises, and developed recommendations on the objectives of the new NCS of Morocco, making for a truly inclusive and participatory process.
Digital inclusion: Global
ITU took part in the 6th Meeting of the UN Working Group on Gender Equality and Disability Inclusion (UNWGGD), organized by UN Women. The meeting brought together various UN representatives and organizations to share good practices, initiatives, and updates on the implementation of UNDIS, as well as projects related to gender and disability inclusion. To ensure a comprehensive approach to inclusion, ITU provided resources on ICT Accessibility and other tools developed by ITU, such as toolkits and training programs, to promote digital inclusion for everyone, thereby ensuring that no one is left behind.
ITU participated in the High-Level Forum on "Promoting Age-Friendly Well-Being Economies to Support Healthy Aging and Mental Health Over the Life Course," organized by the WHO Regional Office for Europe on 2 March 2023. An interactive exploration on well-being economies of age-friendly cities and communities was conducted. During the session, ITU shared Ageing in a Digital World and ICT Accessibility resources, as well as other tools and resources that have been developed to ensure digital inclusion for people of all ages, genders, abilities, and locations.
Digital inclusion: Asia and Pacific
ITU, in collaboration with the Ministry of Information, Communication, and Technology of Indonesia, organized an AI socialization event entitled "AI Socialization: Gender Based AI Policy and Standard in Indonesia." The event consisted of research report dissemination on gender-sensitive AI policy in Southeast Asia, a dialogue series, and networking on 28 February in Jakarta, Indonesia. AI trainings were held on gender-based policy and standards on 2-3 March in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Digital inclusion: Global
ITU attended the "5th Dialogue on Indigenous People in Latin America: Challenges and Opportunities" organized by ILADA and the Centre for Human Rights as part of the "The Dialogues on Indigenous Peoples' Territories: Stories of Resilience" initiative. ITU shared the ICT Accessibility Kit, along with other tools and resources that have been developed to ensure the digital inclusion of Indigenous People, as well as other vulnerable groups.
ITU participated in the Zero Project Conference 2023, on the theme of “Independent Living, Political Participation & ICT”, where we shared insights on how to ensure digital inclusion for all ages and groups in society, especially for disabled and vulnerable groups.
Digital inclusion: Americas
The ITU Regional Office for the Americas held a workshop for INDOTEL facilitators to share the Digital Transformation Kit for entrepreneurs, micro and small companies, which will be used to train more than 70 women entrepreneurs and beneficiaries of the Government of the Dominican Republic’s CANASTA DIGITAL program. The purpose of this initiative is to develop digital skills for the use of ICT tools in small businesses in the country.
Emergency telecommunications: Global
ITU participated in the Mobile World Congress (MWC) panel on ‘Connectivity for humanitarian preparedness and response and the role of mobile technology’ to speak about connectivity for emergency preparedness and early warning. Given the reach of mobile networks, the panel highlighted the importance of mobile networks and services to reach people in advance of disasters to deliver warnings and in the aftermath of disasters to co-ordinate response efforts. In particular, engagement with mobile network operators (MNOs) is critical to promote mobile early warning systems using cell broadcast and location-based SMS in the context of UN Early Warnings for all Initiative, which aims to protect every person in the world with an early warning system by 2027. The panel also highlighted the importance of ITU’s Disaster Connectivity Maps (DCM) initiative, which identifies connectivity gaps and outages after disasters.
Environment: Africa
A newly published StoryMap highlights ITU’s work on e-waste policy development and data collection in the Africa region, with examples of activities in partner countries such as policy consultations, awareness campaigns and e-waste household and business surveys. It is an interactive platform for members, donors and the general public to understand ITU’s collaborative and versatile scope of work.
Statistics: Global
On 5 March, ahead of the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5), ITU launched Facts and Figures: Focus on Least Developed Countries, a special edition of our flagship Facts and Figures series. Since the last LDC conference in 2011, the connectivity challenge has become more complex and demanding. Bringing everyone online is no longer enough. Meaningful connectivity – the possibility to enjoy a safe, satisfying, enriching, productive and affordable online experience – is the new imperative. The new study reveals that for LDCs, this remains a major challenge. The digital divide between LDCs and the rest of the world shows little sign of narrowing. As the world becomes increasingly adept at leveraging the Internet for value creation, LDCs risk falling further behind.
20 - 24 February
Cybersecurity: Asia and Pacific
The ITU Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific delivered a Child Online Protection training as part of Pakistan's “Girls in ICT Day“ digital skills training programme. The Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) and Welchman Keen organized the training in partnership with ITU and the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication Pakistan (MoITT).
Digital inclusion: Asia and Pacific
The ITU Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific organized an event on "AI Socialization: Gender-Based AI Policy and Standard in Thailand". The event targeted Thailand Government officials, seeking to develop awareness among policymakers. Topics covered included the importance of gender-sensitive AI in regulatory processes, capacity building, and fostering knowledge and experience exchange on AI policy between policymakers in Southeast Asia.
Digital services and applications: Asia and Pacific
The ITU Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific held various trainings on Digital Skills, Agro-Met Services, and Financial Literacy in Papua New Guinea. The trainings were part of the Support to Rural Entrepreneurship, Investment and Trade in Papua New Guinea (EU-STREIT PNG) programme's e-agriculture and financial inclusion components. ITU organized the trainings in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF). Aiming at building capacities of selected stakeholders, the trainings benefited participants from cocoa and vanilla farms as well as fisheries.
Digital services and applications: Asia and Pacific
The BDT Director and the ITU Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific delivered welcome remarks at the launch of the Smart Villages initiative in Pakistan. The first Smart Village, Gokina, was officially inaugurated by H.E. Mr. Syed Amin Ul Haque, Federal Minister of Information Technology and Telecommunication of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The initiative is implemented by ITU, the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) Pakistan, the Universal Service Fund, and Huawei.
The event strengthened ITU’s position as a development partner, enhanced the visibility of the Smart Villages and Smart Islands initiative and attracted new partners. As part of the launch, representatives from the ITU Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific visited Gokina, the first Smart Village in Pakistan. ITU engaged in interactive discussions with village communities. Community awareness-raising sessions, e‑Learning (smart classes with digital equipment) and e-Health (a telemedicine clinic) services were introduced. Members of the local community greatly appreciated the new services.
13 - 17 February
Cybersecurity: Asia and Pacific
On 15 February, the ITU Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific took part in a panel discussion on "Making Space for Conversation About Life Online," with a special emphasis on the Child Online Protection Agenda in Pakistan. As part of the “Safer Internet Day Pakistan” event organized by Telenor Pakistan, the panel promoted conversations on online safety challenges and learning opportunities in the country.
Digital inclusion: Americas
The ITU Regional Office for the Americas took part in the awards presentation ceremony for the best digital gender violence prevention campaigns in Honduras. Organized by the Comisión Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (CONATEL)-Honduras, the event was conducted within the framework of the Girls in ICT strategy and Honduras’ Partner2Connect pledge. This was part of the annual celebration of Girls in ICT and the country’s permanent campaigns, impacting thousands of women and girls nationwide.
Digital inclusion: Global
ITU participated in the "9th IAGA UN Partnering Meeting for The Decade of Healthy Ageing," on 15 February. At the meeting, the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), the UN General Assembly (UNGA) and the United Nations Inter-Agency Group on Ageing (IAGA), among other UN agencies, presented their programme. They covered 2023 priority actions and followed-up on the monitoring and evaluation of last year’s activities in Healthy Ageing. ITU and all UN agencies expressed the dedication to continuing joint work and activities for older people's human rights, supported by plans and policies in line with the Decade of Healthy Ageing.
On February 16, ITU participated in the WHO Digital Accessibility Webinar Series, "The Power of Accessible Stories". Panellists highlighted the importance of creating accessible data to leave nobody behind. The webinar stressed the fact that accessibility is situational, but also permanent as well as intersectional and that it needs to be considered from the design stage to testing. ITU highlighted the importance of including target groups in the conversation to support stakeholders’ efforts. The “Ageing in the Digital World: From Vulnerable to Valuable” report, and other ICT accessibility resources were presented to participants.
Digital inclusion: Global
ITU-D contributed to two events focusing on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve health and well-being for individuals of all ages, on fostering ICT innovation, and accessibility as a means towards building inclusive communities. On February 6, ITU and the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) of Korea co-organized an event on “AI For Improving Health and Well-being At All Ages”. ITU-D promoted related digital inclusion work and shared knowledge on how ICTs, new emerging technologies and AI can improve the health and wellbeing of all. The webinar underlined relevant actions, efforts and practical applications of AI to advance the SDGs and scale those solutions for global impact.
On February 10, ITU joined a side event of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) 2023 on “Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), Innovation and Accessibility: Towards Building Inclusive Communities”. The session was co-organized by ITU, WSIS, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), and the State of Qatar. The BDT Director’s opening remarks set the scene of the event, stimulating discussions around the power of technologies and the underpinning innovation ecosystem in fostering digital and social inclusion for everyone, including persons with disabilities in all aspects of life.
Digital services and applications: Arab States
On 5-9 February, the GovStack team conducted a third mission in Djibouti as part of the GovStack implementation in the Horn of Africa. GovStack is a multi-partner initiative led by the ITU, the Estonian government, the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) on behalf of the German government, and the Digital Impact Alliance (DIAL). Construction permits and eCabinet were the two priority services to be digitized as part of the implementation. Through digitizing these two services, reusable software components like digital ID, information mediator, digital signature, workflow, and payments would enable Djibouti to strengthen its technology stack and re-use components for digitizing other government services.
Emergency telecommunications: Americas
On 6 February, the ITU Regional Office for the Americas attended the regional launch of the UN Early Warnings for All Initiative (EW4ALL). ITU is a key partner of the EW4ALL initiative. This launch aimed at mobilising Caribbean Prime Ministers to support the EW4ALL initiative and to accelerate national and regional governance mechanisms that will facilitate its implementation. The Prime Minister of Barbados, H.E. Ms. Mia Amor Mottley, delivered the keynote address. The Executive Action Plan for the implementation of the EW4ALL initiative was unveiled by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres during the COP 27 Climate Change Conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.
Emergency telecommunications: Global
ITU activated the Disaster Connectivity Map (DCM) in response to the earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria on 6 February. The DCM produces near-live data to identify connectivity gaps and outages following disasters and it has been accessed nearly 1,000 times from 42 countries during the first two weeks of February. ITU presented the system to partners and first responders of the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC). The DCM data showed a significant decrease in network coverage. Connectivity right after the earthquake stood at 79% of the normal cellular coverage, with outages mostly in less-populated rural areas. This period was followed by a steady recovery to over 90% of pre-disaster coverage, with some remaining pockets where connectivity has not been detected compared to normal.
Policy and regulation: Americas
On 13-15 February, the ITU Regional Office for the Americas joined a workshop on Effective Legal Frameworks for Building the Digital Economy organized by the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) and Commonwealth Telecommunications Secretariat. ITU delivered a presentation on “Digital Regulation for Digital Transformation and Access for All”, covering measuring digital economies, creating enabling regulatory environments for financial innovation, intellectual property, consumer protection and Caribbean Harmonization. Based on the recommendations from this session, the ITU Caribbean Area Office Representative will follow up with CTU to discuss a possible subsequent joint workshop.
Policy and regulation: Americas
On 13-15 February, the ITU Regional Office for the Americas joined a workshop on Effective Legal Frameworks for Building the Digital Economy organized by the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) and Commonwealth Telecommunications Secretariat. ITU delivered a presentation on “Digital Regulation for Digital Transformation and Access for All”, covering measuring digital economies, creating enabling regulatory environments for financial innovation, intellectual property, consumer protection and Caribbean Harmonization. Based on the recommendations from this session, the ITU Caribbean Area Office Representative will follow up with CTU to discuss a possible subsequent joint workshop.
6 - 10 February
Cybersecurity: Asia and Pacific
ITU participated in the national conference on “Children in the Digital Age: Together for Safer Internet for Children in Thailand” organized by UNICEF Thailand in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, ITU and End Child Prostitution and Trafficking (ECPAT) International from 8-9 February. ITU presented the rapid assessment for Thailand and gave an update on the regional work on Child Online Protection.
Digital inclusion: Asia and Pacific
ITU and UNDP co-led a session on “Ensuring meaningful connectivity to close the gender digital divide and promoting gender transformative technology design, development, and deployment" during the Asia-Pacific Regional Consultation on the Sixty-Seventh Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 67) from 8-9 February. The Government of Pakistan, Vanuatu and Indonesia and the Global Digital Inclusion Partnership, a civil society organization, participated in the session. A recommendation to promote a multi-sector whole-of-Government approach including the Smart Village and Smart Island Programme, as well as the Smart City initiative, was added as one of the Agreed Conclusions of the Consultation.
Digital inclusion: Asia and Pacific
ITU, thanks to the support of the Government of the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), translated the ITU Child Online Protection (COP) guidelines into Bahasa Indonesian. These guidelines will support the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) of Indonesia roadmap to prevent cyber violence, cyber addiction, and cyber bullying. The guidelines will support the fulfilment of Children's Rights and Protection in Indonesia and target policymakers, industry players, teachers, parents, and children themselves.
On 8 February, on the occasion of Safer Internet Day, H.E. Ms. Bintang Darmawati, Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection of the Republic of Indonesia, officiated the launch of the Indonesian-adaptation of the ITU Child Online Protection Guidelines. ITU together with British Embassy in Jakarta and the Indonesia Child Online Protection Network joined the Minister in the launch event.
Digital inclusion: Global
ITU participated in “Youth Dialogue on Investing in Sustainable, Inclusive and Resilient Future of Work for Youth” on 31 January, hosted by the Global Initiative on Decent Jobs for Youth (DJY) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Making Cents International’s Youth Economic Opportunities (YEO) 2030 Initiative. ITU emphasized the importance of access, digital skills as well as the need to make the job market more accessible for everyone.
On the same day, ITU participated in the UN DESA Global Policy Dialogue, "Leaving no one behind in an Ageing World”, analysing the progress on the SDGs and the need to strengthen their implementation to ensure that nobody is left behind. ITU highlighted the need for integration between technology and older person’s lifestyles to empower and support them. In support of stakeholders’ efforts to plan an accessible future, ITU shared the 'Ageing in the digital world: from vulnerable to valuable report', as well as other resources and training courses with the attendees.
Policy and regulation: Global
With the support of Government of the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Digital Access Programme (DAP), the ITU Universal Service Financing efficiency toolkit was developed as a practical guide for countries looking to achieve impactful and sustainable universal access and service implementation. This toolkit helps to navigate the multitude of business models that need financial support in order to have a local, municipal and national impact, as well as to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and related targets.
The online self-paced course developed to better understand how to use the toolkit, is available on the ITU Academy. The main objective is for participants to understand and apply the analytical tools, examples and templates provided in the toolkit to navigate common questions and challenges faced when using public funds to design, implement and finance programmes and projects that facilitate access to digital technologies and communication infrastructure.