BDT Director Doreen Bogdan-Martin participated in the Partner2Connect Meeting— the last event, of the first chapter on the Road to Addis series leading to the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in June 2022. The event examined key outcomes of the Road to Addis Series, presented "The Connectivity Road to Sustainable Development" booklet, and launched the Partner2Connect Digital Coalition.
In her introductory remarks, Ms Bogdan-Martin explained how the discussions at the Road to Addis Series have led to a common understanding that progress can be achieved through multi-stakeholder collaboration.
During the session, many distinguished speakers from governments including policy makers, members of the regulatory community and the private sector, provided expert recommendations on strategies to facilitate a multi-stakeholder alliance and foster universal connectivity.
Building on the discussions in the Road to Addis Series, Ms Bogdan Martin launched the Partner2Connect Digital Coalition – a multi-stakeholder alliance to foster meaningful connectivity and digital transformation in the hardest-to-connect communities, including in Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States.
The Coalition aims to mobilize commitments, resources and partnerships to implement solutions and projects across four focus areas including: Connecting people everywhere; Empowering communities; Building digital ecosystems and Incentivizing investments.
Recognizing the Coalition as a platform to mobilize multilateral action, the BDT Director said “The Partner2Connect Digital Coalition can help pave the way forward for the Global Digital Compact and the 2023 UN Summit of the Future, outlined in the Common Agenda recently presented by the UN Secretary-General."
While closing the event, Ms Bogdan-Martin encouraged the global community to join ITU in the second chapter of the Road to Addis Digital Development series and continue the journey together through the Partner2Connect Digital Coalition, and bridge the digital divide to achieve meaningful connectivity for all by 2030.
