BDT Director Doreen Bogdan-Martin participated in the Regional Preparatory Meeting for WTDC in the Arab States region.
Noting that the upcoming World Telecommunication Development Conference comes at a defining moment for the world and for ITU's place in it, Ms Bogdan-Martin stated that ''It also comes at a time of enormous transformation for the Arab States region itself, which is already home to some of the world's most connected and technologically advanced nations.''
The WTDC-21 will offer a unique opportunity to harness clear global recognition around the urgency to bridge the digital divide, and build long-lasting partnerships that advance the digital transformation agenda.
Ms Bogdan-Martin described various initiatives that have been included in the preparatory process in the Arab States region in the lead up to WTDC, such as the launch of the Generation Connect Youth Group, to include young people and their ideas while developing the programme of the conference.
The RPM also saw the launch of the Network of Women in the region. Ms Bogdan-Martin announced that an incredible 50% registered delegates for the RPM-ARB were female, and expressed her hope that this gender parity will be maintained in other conferences as well. She congratulated participants for setting a great example for other regions to follow.
She recognized the Arab States region's growing competence as leader in digital innovation and development, and also noted that large disparities remain across the vast region. ITU's Digital Trends report, also unveiled during the RPM, revealed stark contrasts between the GCC countries which have world-class connectivity, and the region's six LDCs , where less than 10% of the population is using the internet.
Ms Bogdan-Martin mentioned various concrete projects underway to deliver on regional priorities on connectivity, including: a network of 22 technoparks and incubators to promote collaboration on innovation and entrepreneurship; the Arab network of the ITU Centres of Excellence; a global project to Create a Safe and Prosperous Cyberspace for Children; a project to support Arab states with e-waste; a cooperation framework agreement with the Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Organization (ARCO) to further support the region in facing emergency situations; and many new partnerships to support other initiatives in the region.
As this year marks 30 years since ITU established the Arab Regional Offices, Ms Bogdan-Martin expressed her hope to continue engagement in a way that ITU can help meet members' needs effectively. Emphasizing the importance of the RPM-ARB to the success of the upcoming WTDC, she remarked that the conference presents ''an incredible opportunity to leverage the power of digital to truly change the world.''
