IGF 2021
Open Forum: Strengthening Global Digital Capacity Development
Doreen Bogdan-Martin
Director, ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau
8 December 2021
Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening, everyone, and welcome to this IGF session on Strengthening Global Digital Capacity Development.
I am pleased to share with this community the 'Multistakeholder Network on Digital Capacity Development'. A network that has been built with many of you.
As the Assistant Secretary-General just mentioned, this new network is an outcome of the Digital Cooperation Roundtable co-championed by ITU and UNDP to support implementation of key actions around capacity building envisioned in the Secretary-General's Roadmap for Digital Cooperation.
Brand new data from ITU show a 'COVID connectivity boost' that has brought more nearly 800 million more people online the bad news is that 2.9 billion remain totally offline.
In the LDCs, in particular, a vast 'connectivity divide' remains, with almost 1 in 4 people connected and in a handful of countries have 1 in 10 or less than 1.
The overwhelming majority of these 'digitally excluded' face formidable challenges, including in capacity development from lack of digital literacy, skills and awareness.
In a world where billions remain offline and millions more are afforded only extremely limited access to digital tools, barriers to digital inclusion are further exacerbating global inequalities.
Changing this picture demands innovative ways of working, and concerted efforts on many fronts. Everyone has something unique and valuable to bring to the table.
It is only by integrating a wide range of perspectives and pooling our strengths, that we will empower ourselves to truly make a difference.
This principle is central to our work with the Multistakeholder Roundtable, supported by UNDP and the Office of Secretary-General's Envoy on Technology.
Leveraging our respective know-how and networks, we have put together a database of training providers around the globe covering nine core focus areas (all centered around sustainable digital transformation), along with hundreds of digital capacity development resources.
With the help of our Multistakeholder Network members, we will continue to expand this database, so that those looking for digital capacity development training can rapidly identify the resources available that match their needs. We will also be creating new resources to support groups that might still be underserved.
Our efforts can only benefit from a more diverse range of voices. So, if you would like to contribute your own insights, experiences or services, we warmly invite you to join us. We will include the link in the chat.
Ladies and gentlemen, in his opening remarks yesterday, Secretary-General Guterres reinforced the messages of the 'Our Common Agenda' report, placing strong emphasis on global cooperation, and on reinvigorating efforts to build an inclusive digital future for all. Capacity development is a critical piece of ensuring an inclusive digital future.
With your support and participation, the Multistakeholder Network will serve as a key building block in strategies and initiatives to leverage the power of digital to make good on our pledge to Leave No-one Behind.
I look forward very much to working with you to further strengthen the effectiveness of our digital capacity development efforts worldwide.
Thank you.
