{"id":508,"date":"2026-03-26T15:31:13","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T15:31:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/itu-d\/sites\/bdt-highlights\/?page_id=508"},"modified":"2026-03-30T13:08:55","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T13:08:55","slug":"highlights-march2026","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/itu-d\/sites\/bdt-highlights\/highlights-march2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Highlights – March2026"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Digital inclusion:<\/strong> Global<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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On the margins of MWC Barcelona and at the Tech Cares Forum organized by Huawei, ITU\u2019s Telecommunication Development Bureau officially announced the opening of applications for the newest cohort of the Generation Connect Young Leadership Programme. The programme seeks 30 visionary young leaders aged 18 to 28 from every corner of the globe, ready to transform their boldest tech ideas into impactful local action. Applications are open until 31 March 2026.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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[This activity is the result of a BDT project. You can find more details of the project here<\/a>]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Digital inclusion<\/strong><\/strong>: Asia and the Pacific<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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On 16 February, the ITU Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific jointly conducted a session on \u201cAI and Economic Power \u2013 A Roadmap to Women-Led Prosperity\u201d in partnership with the National Commission for Women (NCW) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), during the India AI Impact Summit held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, India. The discussion highlighted the importance of empowering women as creators, innovators, and owners in the AI ecosystem, with emphasis on capacity building, AI literacy, digital ethics, and cybersecurity awareness, as well as the need to address digital risks such as deepfakes, strengthen platform accountability, and ensure supportive policies that protect women online.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Other<\/strong><\/strong>: Asia and the Pacific<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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The ITU Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific participated in the 13th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD), held 24-27 February at the United Nations Conference Center (UNCC) in Bangkok, Thailand, under the theme \u201cTransformative, equitable, innovative and coordinated actions for the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs for a sustainable future for all\u201d. As an annual intergovernmental forum, APFSD supports follow-up and review of the progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs at the regional level, aiming to inform, empower, and support Asia-Pacific countries in achieving the SDGs by identifying regional trends and sharing best practices. In alignment with the focus of the 2026 High-level Political Forum (HLPF), the 13th APFSD assessed progress on the SDGs under review in 2026: Goal 6, 7, 9, 11, and 17. Together with other UN agencies, The ITU Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific contributed to the Round Table on SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, by moderating the Breakout Group discussion on the topic of “Fostering Innovation” and provided inputs to the SDG 9 Goal Profile.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Digital innovation ecosystems<\/strong><\/strong>: Africa<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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On 6 March, the African Digital Transformation Centre was launched in Pretoria, South Africa, as part of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance for Digital Development led by ITU\u2019s Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT). The Centre is hosted by the Department of Digital Communications and Technologies of South Africa and is a nationally owned institution developed in cooperation with BDT under a project funded by the Republic of South Africa.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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The Centre will support ICT small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and digital entrepreneurs by providing access to world-class facilities, business development support, mentorship networks, funding pathways and market linkages. By bringing together government, private sector, academia and civil society, the Centre will strengthen innovation ecosystems and help translate emerging technologies into inclusive economic opportunities, supporting digital transformation in South Africa and across the region.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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[This activity is the result of a BDT project. You can find more details of the project here<\/a>]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Other<\/strong><\/strong>: Asia and the Pacific<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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The ITU Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific participated in the 30th Meeting of the Regional Interagency Working Group on Information and Communication Technology (ICT), which was held on 16 February 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand. Hosted by the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT), seven international organizations (ITU, APT, UNESCAP, ICAO, WMO, WFP, UNU) participated in the meeting to discuss ICT initiatives and collaboration opportunities. During the meeting, each organization presented the updates and planned activities in 2026 and discussed potential areas of collaboration. The ITU Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific highlighted the outcomes from WTDC-25, particularly the Baku Action Plan and the Regional Initiatives for Asia and the Pacific 2026-2029, and introduced key activities of the ITU Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Cybersecurity<\/strong><\/strong>: Asia and the Pacific<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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From 3 to 5 March, the ITU Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific supported the INTERPOL Cybercrime Operations Coordination Meeting and Cyber Drill in Bangkok, Thailand, serving as an exercise facilitator during the Cyber Drill.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Emergency telecommunications<\/strong><\/strong>: Global<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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At the Mobile World Congress 2026 Ministerial Programme session on “Mobile alerts save lives: Industry perspective” on 2 March, BDT underscored the potential of cell broadcast technology to turn mobile networks into life-saving alerts when integrated into early warning systems. With most of the infrastructure already in place\u201499% of the world’s population covered by mobile networks, and 8 out of 10 people owning a mobile phone\u2014cell broadcast represents a cost-effective but proven solution that can save lives. The session also highlighted the importance of partnerships among governments, private sector actors, and multilateral organizations to ensure early warning systems work for everyone.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Emergency telecommunications<\/strong><\/strong>: Global<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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On 10 March, BDT participated in the Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Weeks 2026 session on \u201cEarth Intelligence for Humanitarian Action,\u201d organized by the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) and the Risk informed Early Action Partnership. The event brought together partners from the humanitarian, disaster risk reduction, and early warning communities to explore how earth observation data and derived solutions can strengthen decision making and support anticipatory action, including under the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative. BDT presented the Early Warning Connectivity Map, a tool that uses earth observation data to assess communication infrastructure resilience by integrating three core layers: network connectivity, population density, and hazard exposure. BDT also emphasized the importance of investing in and piloting solutions at the country level to demonstrate impact and scalability, inviting stakeholders working on the use of AI and earth observations for people centred early warning systems to engage with the AI for EW4All Group led by ITU.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Emergency telecommunications<\/strong><\/strong>: Africa<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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From 3 to 6 March, the Regional Emergency Telecommunications Workshop for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries took place in Harare, Zimbabwe. Participants from across the region engaged in a simulation exercise that helped strengthen national emergency telecommunications capacities for disaster management. During the workshop, Zimbabwe showcased the implementation of its National Emergency Telecommunication Plan (NETP) and the gap analysis conducted on Pillar 3: Warning dissemination and communication of the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative aimed at ensuring everyone, everywhere is protected through life-saving early warning messages.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Environmental<\/strong><\/strong>: Global<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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The “India study tour webinar – International e-waste exchange insights,” took place on 17 March, as part of the ITU\u2013Government of Colombia joint project, \u201cInternational Exchange Initiative on Regulating E-waste and Engaging Tech Companies.\u201d The session provided a platform to share lessons learned from the recent e-waste study tour in India. The webinar brought together over 60 participants, including national focal points and sector partners, to reflect on key insights and explore opportunities for advancing sustainable e waste management at the country level. Building on the momentum of the India study tour and webinar, BDT will continue facilitating the project’s implementation through knowledge exchange and regional collaboration, with the next study tour scheduled to take place in South Africa on 20-24 April 2026.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n \n Reference document <\/a>\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[This activity is the result of a BDT project. You can find more details of the project here<\/a>]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Network and digital infrastructure<\/strong><\/strong>: Asia and the Pacific<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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The ITU Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific addressed the 12th Asia Pacific Spectrum Management Conference in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on 11 March. The event brought together regional experts and policymakers to exchange views on the future of spectrum management in the Asia Pacific region. The intervention underscored BDT\u2019s work in efforts supporting to strengthen national spectrum management frameworks and promote resilient emergency telecommunications in disaster-prone regions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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New Members<\/strong><\/strong>: Arab States<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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The Iraqi Association for Information and Communication Technology (IAICT) is a professional organization dedicated to advancing the ICT sector in Iraq through education, networking, and innovation. Founded in 2022, IAICT brings together professionals, students, and organizations to foster growth in technology and digital transformation across Iraq. IAICT\u2019s mission is to advance Iraq’s technological capabilities through cutting-edge research, innovative solutions, and comprehensive education programs in ICT.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Digital inclusion: Global On the margins of MWC Barcelona and at the Tech Cares Forum organized by Huawei, ITU\u2019s Telecommunication Development Bureau officially announced the opening of applications for the newest cohort of the Generation Connect Young Leadership Programme. The programme seeks 30 visionary young leaders aged 18 to 28 from every corner of the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":13,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-508","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/itu-d\/sites\/bdt-highlights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/508","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/itu-d\/sites\/bdt-highlights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/itu-d\/sites\/bdt-highlights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/itu-d\/sites\/bdt-highlights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/itu-d\/sites\/bdt-highlights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=508"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/itu-d\/sites\/bdt-highlights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/508\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/itu-d\/sites\/bdt-highlights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/itu-d\/sites\/bdt-highlights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=508"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}