Leaders TalkX: Partnership pivot: rethinking cooperation in the digital era


WSIS

Session 433

Wednesday, 9 July 2025 17:15–17:45 (UTC+02:00) Physical (on-site) and Virtual (remote) participation Plenary Room C, Palexpo Real-time captioning Interpretation: EN/FR/AR/ZH/ES/RU Leaders TalkX 1 Document

The digital revolution has the potential to propel societies forward, yet a significant divide, 2.6 billion people remain without access to information and communication technologies (ICTs).

This Leaders TalkX underscores the critical need for enhanced international collaboration to ensure the implementation of the WSIS Action Lines. Speakers will examine the pivotal role of international cooperation among various stakeholders, including governments, the private sector, international organizations, and UN to support infrastructure development and digital projects, particularly within developing countries. 

More information available related to Action Lines, WSIS 2003: https://www.itu.int/net/wsis/docs/geneva/official/poa.html

Panellists
Ms. Lori Schulman
Ms. Lori Schulman Sr. Director, Internet Policy International Trademark Association (INTA) High-Level Track Facilitator Moderator

H.E. Dr. Aminata Zerbo Sabane
H.E. Dr. Aminata Zerbo Sabane Ministre Ministère de la Transition Digitale, des Postes et des Communications Électroniques, Burkina Faso

H.E. Prof. László Palkovics
H.E. Prof. László Palkovics Government Commissioner Ministry of Energy, Hungary

Prof. Dr. László Palkovics serves as the Hungarian Government Commissioner for Artificial Intelligence. Previously, he held the positions of Minister of Innovation and Technology (2018–2022) and Minister of Technology and Industry (2022). With a background in mechanical engineering, he has held prominent roles in both academia and industry, including at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, MTA SZTAKI, and Knorr-Bremse. His expertise encompasses innovation policy, higher education, and industrial R&D. He has played a pivotal role in shaping Hungary’s AI strategy and advancing technological modernization. In recognition of his contributions to engineering and innovation, he has been honored with several prestigious awards, including the Széchenyi Prize and the Gábor Dénes Prize.


H.E. Mr. Alioune Sall
H.E. Mr. Alioune Sall Minister Ministère de la Communication des Télécommunications et du Numérique, Senegal

 Mr. Alioune Sall is a telecommunications engineer and digital specialist. He was appointed in April 2024 as Minister of Communication, Telecommunications and Digital of the Republic of Senegal. 
He graduated from the École Supérieure d’Ingénieurs Léonard de Vinci and holds a University Diploma of Technology (DUT) in Networks and Telecommunications from the IUT of Villetaneuse (France). He has over 15 years of experience in the telecommunications, digital, and territorial development sectors. 
He began his career in France, notably with the telecom operator SFR, where he held positions of responsibility in network deployment and optimization. He then expanded his scope as a digital development consultant for local governments and as an entrepreneur in digital technologies, strengthening his knowledge of issues related to connectivity, inclusion, and digital governance. 
With this diverse background, Alioune Sall has committed himself to the digital transformation of Senegal, with a vision resolutely oriented towards Africa. He focuses on service accessibility, infrastructure modernization, and digital sovereignty. As head of the Ministry, he is leading ambitious reforms in areas such as universal connectivity, cybersecurity, digitalization of public services, and support for technological innovation. 
His pragmatic approach, technical expertise, and strategic vision make him a committed actor in digital transformation, serving sustainable development and the integration of Senegal into the global digital economy. 
 


H.E. Ms. Enkelejda Muçaj
H.E. Ms. Enkelejda Muçaj Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Republic of Albania

Ms. Muçaj held the position of General State Advocate from March 2020 to June 2021. For a period of 20 years (December 2000 - February 2020), she practiced as a lawyer at the international law office Tonnuci & Partners, during which she provided legal expertise in Telecommunication, Intellectual Property (Copyright and Industrial Property), Company Law, Contract Law, Tax Law, Mining Law, Administrative Law, related to the harmonization of national legislation with International Intellectual Property law and is specialized in the preparation and interpretation of trade contracts international, concession contracts as well as project financing contracts. 
 
Ms. Muçaj was graduated in law from the Tirana University (1998) and has a master’s degree in Intellectual Property Law from University of Turin (Italy) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (2007); Diploma in International Practice on Capital Markets and Credit, and Diploma in International Mergers and Acquisition operations issued by the International Bar Association and College of Law of England and Wales. 
 
Ms. Muçaj was a lecturer in the course of Intellectual Property at the University of New York Tirana (2013-2016) and is fluent in English and Italian.
 


Ms. Eneng Faridah
Ms. Eneng Faridah Chief Enforcement Officer Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), Malaysia Platinium Partner

As Chief Enforcement Officer, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), Eneng’s role is to provide strategic leadership on all matters relating to the enforcement of all laws within the Commission’s jurisdiction. 
She served MCMC for 25 years, 15 years of which at Senior Management level; headed divisions responsible for industry monitoring and regulation, consumer protection, strategic communications as well as advocacy and outreach. 
Eneng holds an LLB Hons Business Law and LLM Master of Laws.


Mr. Philip Marnick
Mr. Philip Marnick General Director Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, Bahrain

Philip Marnick is the General Director of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA). 
Mr. Marnick leads the TRA, including the development of consumer protection initiatives and resolving disputes. The TRA develops regulatory rules that promote competition, innovation, and investment in broadband services and facilities, as well as developing a more comprehensive and competitive framework that aligns with international best practices. Ensuring that Bahrain remains a center of innovation and that its telecommunications sector serves everyone while supporting Bahrain’s strategic objectives. 
Mr. Marnick has worked in the telecommunications sector for over 30 years. He has served as a senior executive in technology, operations, and strategy. Mr. Marnick has worked in both start-ups (from inception to sale) and major corporations, in firms such as UK Broadband, O2, Orange, BT, J-Phone in Japan (now Softbank Mobile), Extreme Mobile, and SpinVox (now Nuance). 
From analogue to 5G, he has engaged across every mobile generation. Throughout his carrier he has been at the forefront of industry developments – in both fixed and mobile. He has collaborated on the first deployments of mobile networks utilizing new technologies and standards, this has also included innovative products such as the first camera phone and photo messaging service, as well as mobile internet and hosted voice services.


Ms. Anne Marie Engtoft Meldgaard
Ms. Anne Marie Engtoft Meldgaard Tech Ambassador Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Denmark

TechPlomacy is a pioneering initiative elevating technology and digitalization to a crosscutting foreign and security policy priority of the Danish government. Anne Marie and her team have a global mandate and a physical presence in Silicon Valley and Copenhagen, transcending borders and regions in rethinking the traditional understanding of a diplomatic representation.

Prior to her appointment, Anne Marie worked at World Economic Forum in Geneva (2017-2020) where she led the World Economic Forum's work on the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Global Public Goods. Her focus was on mobilizing technology companies, governments and civil society to collaboratively tackle the barriers that prevent emerging technology from scaling responsibly to help solve society's biggest challenges.

Before joining the World Economic Forum, Anne Marie co-founded an innovation house for student entrepreneurship; co-founded Democratic Capital; worked as political advisor in the Danish Parliament; and served on the Board of Directors of Copenhagen Business School and The Danish Consumer Council.

Anne Marie Engtoft Meldgaard holds a M.Sc. in International Development from The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in International Business & Politics from Copenhagen Business School and is a 2017 Global Leadership Fellow with the World Economic Forum.


Ms. Whitney Baird
Ms. Whitney Baird President and CEO US Council for International Business

 Whitney Baird is President and CEO of the US Council for International Business (USCIB), an organization dedicated to powering the success of American businesses.  
Baird's international affairs experience gives her perspective on the complex challenges and opportunities facing American businesses in today’s global economy. Prior to USCIB, Baird served as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs at the US State Department, leading efforts to promote American economic interests abroad. Baird also led the US Mission to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) as Chargé d'Affaires from 2020-2022. 
During her diplomatic career, Baird was appointed Minister Counselor for Economic Affairs at U.S. Embassy London, Director of Multilateral Trade, Director of European Union Affairs, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for West Africa and Security Affairs, and Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Western Europe and European Union and Regional Affairs. She also served at US embassies in Madrid, Dakar, Lome, and Yaoundé, earning distinction as the recipient of the Secretary’s Career Achievement Award and multiple Superior Honor Awards. 
Baird holds an MS in International Security Studies from the National Defense University and a BS in Political Science from the University of North Carolina.


Topics
Digital Divide Digital Economy Digital Inclusion Digital Transformation WSIS+20 Review
WSIS Action Lines
  • AL C11 logo C11. International and regional cooperation
Sustainable Development Goals
  • Goal 17 logo Goal 17: Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development