Doreen Bogdan-Martin
Secretary-General, International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Remarks at the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity Ministerial Meeting (APT-MM)
(delivered by Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of the
ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau)
[As prepared for delivery]
Excellencies, Ministers, distinguished delegates, colleagues, and friends,
It is an honor to address you today on behalf of ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin.
She sends her warmest wishes to you all and extends her appreciation to the Government of Japan and the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity for convening at such a pivotal moment for our digital future.
I can think of no better place for this gathering than the dynamic metropolis of Tokyo: a global symbol of how technological innovation and resilience can totally transform societies.
But if we widen our scope to cross the vast and diverse Asia-Pacific region, we witness a digital paradox unfolding.
While some nations are pioneering 6G research and AI governance frameworks, others still struggle to deliver basic broadband access.
While megacities like this one become living laboratories of smart technologies, remote villages and islands remain disconnected from the digital revolution.
And as our reliance on digital infrastructure grows exponentially, so too does its vulnerability to climate disruptions, cyber threats and systemic failures.
This is why our collective mission here in Tokyo carries such urgency and promise.
The International Telecommunication Union stands shoulder-to-shoulder with all of you to build not merely connectivity, but smart, resilient connectivity; not just economic growth, but inclusive and sustainable digital transformation.
Let me outline where our united efforts can create the greatest impact.
First and foremost: we must future-proof our digital infrastructure against the growing threats of our time.
The devastating earthquakes, catastrophic typhoons, and unprecedented floods that have recently battered the region serve as stark reminders that connectivity is not only about convenience; it is about survival.
Through ITU's emergency telecommunications initiatives, we are pioneering redundant systems, rapid-deployment technologies, and regional backup networks. But we need every nation's commitment to make resilience a non-negotiable pillar of national digital strategies.
Second, we are standing at the threshold of a connectivity revolution through next-generation solutions.
While low-altitude platforms like drones and high-altitude platforms are already bridging gaps in remote Pacific islands, we must use all means at our disposal to connect the unconnected.
This includes fully leveraging the game-changing potential of non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) systems and low Earth orbit (LEO) constellations.
These technologies promise to deliver high-speed, low-latency connectivity to the most challenging geographies ꟷ from mountainous terrains to far-flung island communities.
The ITU is actively working to: Coordinate spectrum allocation for these next-generation systems; develop interoperability standards; create regulatory frameworks that encourage innovation while ensuring equitable access to spectrum on Earth and in space.
But to truly harness this potential, we need bold commitments from all stakeholders ꟷ commitments to infrastructure investment, to policy harmonization, and to innovative partnership models.
Third, we have both the opportunity and the obligation to deploy these advanced technologies for life-saving purposes.
In a region prone to disasters, it's unacceptable that millions still lack adequate early-warning systems.
By integrating AI-powered analytics with universal connectivity ꟷ whether through terrestrial networks, LEO satellites, or hybrid systems ꟷ we can create intelligent alert networks that don't just react, but anticipate; that don't merely inform, but actively protect.
To translate these priorities into concrete progress, I warmly invite you to join ITU at three landmark events:
In August 2025, Saudi Arabia will host the Global Symposium for Regulators, bringing together regulators from around the globe to share their views and experiences on the most pressing regulatory issues they have identified.
In November 2025, Azerbaijan will host the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC), where we will shape the global digital development agenda for years to come.
Then in 2026, the World Telecommunication Policy Forum (WTPF) will address our most pressing digital governance challenges ꟷ from AI regulation to cybersecurity cooperation to the new space race for connectivity.
This is our chance to establish frameworks that foster innovation while protecting our citizens' interests.
Excellencies, the Asia-Pacific region has consistently led the world in digital transformation.
From pioneering Beyond 5G initiatives to revolutionary digital public infrastructure, from Smart Islands and Villages to innovative leapfrog solutions — your collective experience proves what's possible when innovative vision meets collaboration.
A robust and enabling policy strategy must cut across all verticals —healthcare, education, finance, and agriculture to enable the use of digital connectivity — to maximize impact.
Equally critical is building interoperable digital government infrastructure and services through a whole-of-government approach, ensuring seamless interoperability and citizen-centric delivery of solutions that are accessible to all, and supported by necessary digital skills.
Prioritizing and incentivizing private investment in digital ecosystems, infrastructure, and skills is critical to reaping the benefits of technologies.
Let us act decisively to create a future-ready, and meaningfully connected Asia-Pacific.
Dear colleagues, our most important work lies ahead.
Over the next two days, let us bear in mind these commitments: To build networks that can weather any storm - literal or metaphorical; to develop and implement enabling policy environments that incentivize resilient digital infrastructure; to create opportunities that uplift every community through next-generation, innovative, impactful digital solutions and the necessary skills to use them meaningfully and safely; and to ensure that our shared digital future leaves no one behind as we work to bridge every digital divide.
ITU is your steadfast partner in this mission.
Together, let us harness the full potential of digital technology to create a more connected, resilient, and inclusive future for all people across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
