Connecting the world and beyond

RDF ASP: Leadership Dialogue

RDF-ASP2020( 中文) RDF-ASP2020

The world is currently not on track to achieve many of the Sustainable Development Goals. The COVID-19 has further deepen the inequalities and magnified the impact of digital divide. School closures, inability to access healthcare and loss of income are leading to psychological stress, discrimination as well as domestic violence amongst vulnerable communities. As of July, the pandemic has shut down schools in some 160 countries, affecting more than 1 billion students, while at least 40 million children have missed out on pre-school”. With 10 years remaining to connect the 3.9 billion of the world’s population, Digital Inclusion efforts is crucial in building back better. An inclusive development requires giving due consideration to people from all communities and backgrounds. Formal opening session is structured with policy statements from leadership level. The theme of the session would be *“Cross-sectoral collaboration to drive digital development and progress towards SDGs”.* Outlines of topics: What are the emerging challenges related to digital connectivity and services in your sector due to COVID-19? How are your countries tackling them? How can ITU support them in the post-COVID new normal and accelerating the achievement of SDGs?	Ms. Doreen Mogdan-Martin Director Telecommunication Development Bureau [Short bio]
	H.E. Mr. Bob Loughman Weibur Prime Minister Vanuatu [Short bio]
	Ms. Bolor-Erdene Battsengel Chairwoman of CITA, Mongolia [Short bio]
	Hon’ble Lyonpo Karma Donnen Wangdi Minister of Information and Communications, Royal Government of Bhutan [Short bio]
	H.E. Mr. Abdul Halim Iskandar Minister of Villages, Development, Advantaged Regions and Transmigration, Republic of Indonesia [Short bio]
	H.E. Mr. Mustafa Jabbar Minister of Posts, Telecommunications & IT, Bangladesh [Short bio]
	H.E. Shafqat Mahmood Minister of Federal Eductaion and Professional Training, Islamabad, Pakistan [Short bio]
	H.E. Mr. Johnny Gerard Plate Minister of Communication and Informatics, Republic of Indonesia [Short bio]
	Ms Areewan Horangsi Secretary General Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT) [Short bio]
	Mr Woochong Um Director General Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department, Asian Development Bank (ADB) [Short bio]