Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, ladies and gentlemen…
I am honoured to be part of this timely and vital discussion on science, technology and innovation, on behalf of the International Telecommunication Union.
The constraints of geography, infrastructure, and trade access demand new strategies for growth.
And the most powerful of these, is innovation.
Structural transformation will depend on how well LLDCs harness science, technology, and innovation – or STI- to unlock new industries and new opportunities.
Yet across many LLDCs, innovation ecosystems remain underdeveloped.
Research & Development is limited, entrepreneurship is underfunded,
and too many talented young people are left without the skills or tools to bring their ideas to life.
We are at a turning point where potential can become progress.
When countries invest in STI, they create momentum across all industries.
- Farmers gain access to precision tools.
- Health workers gain diagnostic support and patients access health care more easily.
- Schools are connected to the internet and students can access quality education irrespective of their location.
- Governments tap real-time data for smarter policymaking.
- Entrepreneurs build services that respond to local needs, and much more.
But for this to happen, digital ecosystems must be built.
That means investing in the full chain of innovation from infrastructure, to institutions, to skills and financing, to policy and regulation that reward creativity while ensuring cybersecurity so that users can have the confidence and trust in the use of ICTs.
This is beginning to take shape.
Through targeted partnerships, digital innovation profiles, and the ITU's Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance, ITU is helping LLDCs develop local innovation roadmaps rooted in evidence and led by national priorities.
The Alliance aims to accelerate digital transformation by strengthening local innovation ecosystems, building entrepreneurial capacity, and supporting sustainable, inclusive growth. Whether through our annual global innovation forums, our network of acceleration centres, training, or innovation challenges, we are committed to giving young people, and women the expertise they need to shape their own digital futures.
Ladies and gentlemen,
From AI and machine learning to big data and automation offer LLDCs the chance to leapfrog legacy systems and unlock new models of growth.
We see this as an imperative including in disaster risk reduction and management.
We are committed to supporting LLDCs in building robust connectivity, national strategies, and enabling environments that support innovation while protecting rights.
As we move into this next wave of digital transformation, we must ensure no one is left behind and that existing divides are not deepened.
Countries need targeted support to develop inclusive policies, ethical safeguards and forward-looking frameworks that make digital work for everyone.
Critically, we're seeing the value of South-South and triangular cooperation in this space, as countries exchange what works, adapt approaches to local needs and build STI capacity through local leadership and knowledge-exchange.
But innovation goes beyond technology. True innovation creates systems that serve people it unlocks potential and makes space for self-determined growth.
LLDCs must design approaches informed by their own priorities, realities, and strengths and today's conversation gives us a tangible opportunity to move that design forward.
ITU stands ready to support you on this journey. This dialogue continues in Baku, Azerbaijan when we hold our next World Telecommunication Development Conference in November this year.
Thank you.
