Partner2Connect Annual Meeting 2023
Popov Room, ITU HQ, Geneva, Switzerland
In-Person Meeting with a virtual component
Date and Time: Tuesday, 12 December 2023 14:00 – 16:30 CET. Followed by EQUALS in Tech Awards Ceremony and Cocktail Reception
In 2023 the P2C community continued to grow with a strong emphasis on pledge implementation, matchmaking and pledge mobilization through specific campaigns. At the time of this event, the P2C pledge counter showed more than 830 pledges from over 400 entities and more than 36 billion USD mobilized for connectivity projects around the world.
The P2C Digital Coalition held its second Annual Meeting on Tuesday, 12 December (14:00-16:30 CET) at ITU Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The event offered participants the opportunity to engage with high-level representatives and pledge makers from government, industry, civil society, and other sectors. The meeting was held in-person, with a virtual component to allow anyone around the world to follow the progress of the coalition.
At the P2C Annual Meeting attendees could:
- Discuss the challenges and opportunities for connecting the unconnected; in particular, the 2023 edition of the P2C Annual Meeting featured key elements of the discussions on connectivity for displaced people from the Global Refugee Forum 2023 that took place between 13 – 15 December in Geneva.
- Learn about the progress made on the implementation of selected pledges submitted through the P2C platform.
- Celebrate the announcement of new pledges and commitments.
- Network and share experiences to further advance global digital transformation.
The program was followed by the 10th Annual EQUALS in Tech Awards Ceremony (16:30-17:30 CET), where we celebrated those initiatives, projects, organizations, and institutions around the world that have displayed extraordinary commitment to reducing the digital gender divide. The Awards Ceremony was followed by a cocktail reception from 17:15.
Programme and Panellists
All sessions were available for remote participants who completed their registration.
Event’s Social Media Pack
| Welcome and Opening |
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| Popov Room, ITU HQ, Geneva, Switzerland In-Person Meeting with a virtual component Date and Time: Tuesday, 12 December 2023, 14:00 – 14:10 CET |
Session description
Around the world, an estimated 2.6 billion people have never used the Internet and remain excluded from the benefits and opportunities offered by numerous digital platforms and technologies. P2C has become central in ITU’s work to extend meaningful connectivity to everyone, everywhere. The Welcome and Opening session of the second P2C Annual Meeting will kick-off the conversations of a dynamic programme, which will include updates on pledge mobilization, insights on actual implementation and the announcement of new pledges.
Panellists
- Sulyna Abdullah, Chief, Strategic Planning and Membership Department, International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Moderator
- Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General, International Telecommunication Union
| P2C Status Update and Progress Report |
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| Popov Room, ITU HQ, Geneva, Switzerland In-Person Meeting with a virtual component Date and Time: Tuesday, 12 December 2023, 14:10 – 14:30 CET |
Session Description
This session will provide an overview on the key accomplishments of P2C in 2023 and key facts from the Annual Report. Selected pledgers and P2C Champions will take the floor to discuss current challenges and opportunities in connecting the unconnected and to provide updates on how their pledges are being implemented.
Panellists
- Sulyna Abdullah, Chief, Strategic Planning and Membership Department, International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Moderator
- Maitha Aljamri, Government Relations and International Cooperation Officer, TDRA, UAE
- Lauren Grubbs, Gender Digital Divide Lead, USAID
- Helen Harris, Manager, Public Policy (Digital Rights), Amazon
- Teresa Hutson, Corporate Vice President, Technology for Fundamental Rights, Microsoft
- Nor Akmar Shah Minan, Head, Digital Infrastructure Division, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), Malaysia
- Sameer Sharma, Head, Special Initiatives, ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT)
- Li Tian, Director of Standards Management, ZTE Corporation
- Alex Wong, Senior Advisor, Strategic Engagement and Initiatives, International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
| Implementation of P2C Pledges at the Regional and Country Level through Matchmaking |
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| Popov Room, ITU HQ, Geneva, Switzerland In-Person Meeting with a virtual component Date and Time: Tuesday, 12 December 2023, 14:30 – 15:05 CET |
Session description
Core to the P2C Mandate, along with pledge mobilization and reporting, is the facilitation of actual implementation of P2C pledges with the overall objective of positively impacting the people and communities where connectivity is most needed.
This session will shed light on the work that BDT has been doing throughout the year at the different Regional Development Forums and more specifically through the Regional Partner2Connect Matchmaking Roundtables.
Panellists
- Cosmas Zavazava, Director, Telecommunication Development Bureau, International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Moderator
- H.E. Héctor Virgilio Alcántara, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Dominican Republic to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva
- Julissa Cruz Abreu, Executive Director, Indotel, Dominican Republic
- Joyce Dogniez, Vice President, Empowerment and Outreach, ISOC
- Gabriela Eguidazu, Director of Innovation and Inclusive Growth, BBVA Microfinance Foundation
- Asma Ennaifer, Secretary General, Orange Digital Center Foundation, VP CSR and Communications, Orange Middle East & Africa
- Nicholas Mayencourt, Founder and Global CEO, Dreamlab
- Beatrice Mok, Corporate Development Director, Kacific
- H.E. Belete Molla Getahun, Minister of Innovation and Technology, Ethiopia
- H.E. Tsegab Kebebew Daka, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva
- Mustafa Yasin Sheikh, General Manager of the National Telecommunications Authority, NCA Somalia
| Spotlight 1 – P2C and Green Digital Action |
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| Popov Room, ITU HQ, Geneva, Switzerland In-Person Meeting with a virtual component Date and Time: Tuesday, 12 December 2023, 15:05 – 15:25 CET |
Session description
Participants in the first spotlight session will explore how information and communication technologies (ICTs) can help fight the global climate crisis, particularly as outcomes emerge the United Nations climate conference, COP28. Ahead of the climate conference, partners from across the industry have joined ITU’s call to cut greenhouse gas emissions, improve industry-wide data gathering and reporting, and start building circular digital economies. At the P2C meeting, key partners will report on this Green Digital Action track.
Panellists
- Sulyna Abdullah, Chief, Strategic Planning and Membership Department, International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Moderator
- Tomas Lamanauskas, Deputy Secretary-General, International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
- Jean-Manuel Canet, Vice-Chair, ITU Study Group 5 (EMF, environment, climate action, sustainable digitalization, and circular economy) – ICT Sector GHG Emissions
- Isabelle Mauro, Director General, GSOA
- Chrissy Martin Meier, Director, Policy, Digital Impact Alliance (DIAL)
- H.E. Marie Chantal Rwakazina, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Rwanda to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva
- Eric Zie, CEO, GoCodeGreen
| Spotlight 2 – P2C and Connectivity for Refugees |
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| Popov Room, ITU HQ, Geneva, Switzerland In-Person Meeting with a virtual component Date and Time: Tuesday, 12 December 2023, 15:25 – 15:45 CET |
Session description
At mid-2023, the total number of forcibly displaced people is estimated to be 110 million. Among many other missing resources, forcibly displaced people are also 50% less likely than those not displaced to have an internet-enabled phone. For those forced to flee, meaningful connectivity can bring access to life-saving information, online learning, new sources of income, and more. However, unreliable electricity, unaffordable devices and connectivity, low digital literacy and unfavourable policy and regulatory environments hinder all these opportunities.
The Global Refugee Forum pledge, and the Connectivity for Refugees initiative championed by ITU, GSMA, UNHCR and the Government of Luxemburg, aim to mobilize the expertise, resources, and investments needed to ensure that all major refugee hosting areas have available and affordable connectivity by 2030, advancing the digital inclusion of more than 20 million people and their host communities.
In this segment participants will hear from the initiative partners and pledge makers who are already contributing to this cause.
Panellists
- Sulyna Abdullah, Chief, Strategic Planning and Membership Department, International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Moderator
- Peter Batali, Director of the Community Technology Empowerment Network
- H.E. Marc Bichler, Ambassador Permanent Representative of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva
- Kimberly Brown, Head of Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation, GSMA
- Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General, International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
- Kelly T. Clements, United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR
- Lisa Felton, Head of External Affairs Strategy & Global Policy and Director of Vodafone Foundation
- Shahira Selim, International Relations Director, National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, Egypt
| Announcement of New P2C Pledges and Outlook 2024 |
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| Popov Room, ITU HQ, Geneva, Switzerland In-Person Meeting with a virtual component Date and Time: Tuesday, 12 December 2023, 15:45 – 16:20 CET |
Session description
In this segment, participants will hear from entities making a new pledge to advance global meaningful connectivity and sustainable digital transformation. Pledges announced at this segment will be added to P2C’s goal of mobilizing USD 100 billion in connectivity projects by 2026.
Panellists
- Sulyna Abdullah, Chief, Strategic Planning and Membership Department, International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Moderator
- H.E. Salima Monorma Bah, Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation, Sierra Leone, Video address
- Antonio Garcia Zaballos, Lead Specialist Telecommunications – Broadband Platform Coordinator, IDB
- H.E. Lansana Gberie, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Sierra Leone to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva
- Kamelia Kemileva, Co-Director, Programmes and Administration, Global Cities Hub
- Staffan Lindmark, Deputy Director General, Ministry of Finance, Division for Digital Infrastructure and Security, Sweden
- Nathalie Schnelle, Senior Director, Global Government Affairs Business Development, SAP
- Ivan John E. Uy, Secretary, Department of Information and Communications Technology, Philippines, Video address
- Jeffrey A. Valdez, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva
- Stephen Wyber, Director, Policy and Advocacy, International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)
- Vicky Zhang, VP of Corporate Communications, Huawei
| Closing of P2C Annual Meeting |
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| Popov Room, ITU HQ, Geneva, Switzerland In-Person Meeting with a virtual component Date and Time: Tuesday, 12 December 2023, 16:20 – 16:30 CET |
Session description
To conclude the Annual Meeting, participants will hear the perspectives on the need for increased partnerships on digital and more pledge mobilization efforts targeting LLDCs and SIDS from the Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, UN-OHRLLS Ms Rabab Fatima.
Panellists
- Sulyna Abdullah, Chief, Strategic Planning and Membership Department, International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
- Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General, International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
- Rabab Fatima, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, UN-OHRLLS, Video address
- Ishmael Dabutha, Deputy Permanent Representative of Botswana to the United Nations and, on behalf of the Landlocked Developing Countries
| EQUALS in Tech Awards Ceremony |
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| Popov Room, ITU HQ, Geneva, Switzerland In-Person Meeting with a virtual component Date and Time: Tuesday, 12 December 2023, 16:30 – 17:30 CET |
Session description
The EQUALS in Tech Awards is the flagship social event of the EQUALS partnership, a multi-stakeholder initiative created to promote awareness; build political commitment, and leverage knowledge, efforts, and resources to achieve digital gender equality at both the global and national levels.
The 10th annual EQUALS in Tech Awards celebrates initiatives that are closing the gender digital divide. This award will be presented in the following categories: Access, Skills, Leadership in Tech, Leadership in SMEs and Research. Click here for the detailed agenda.
Panellists
- Sulyna Abdullah, Chief, Strategic Planning and Membership Department, International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Masters of Ceremonies
- Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General, International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
- HRH Princess Beatrice of York
- Tofara Chokera, EQUALS in Tech Awards Winner (2022 edition) in the Leadership in SMEs category, Video address
- Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director, Telecommunication Development Bureau, International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Highlights of the Partner2Connect Annual Meeting 2022
On 8 December 2022, the first Partner2Connect Annual Meeting was held at the ITU Headquarters in Geneva. With over 700 registered participants, and an almost equal split between physical and virtual attendees, the event marked a very important milestone in the history of the Coalition. On this occasion, representatives from government, the private sector, civil society, academia and international organizations gathered not only to celebrate their commitment and the achievements of the Coalition, but also to report on the progress attained so far with the implementation of their pledges.
The Annual Meeting also embraced the 9th Annual EQUALS in Tech Awards Ceremony, which celebrated those initiatives, projects, organizations, and institutions around the world that have displayed extraordinary commitment to reducing the digital gender divide.
Watch the highlights from the P2C Annual Meeting 2022 in the video below.