ITU's 160 anniversary

Обеспечение связи по всему миру и за его пределами

BDT Director’s Corner

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava - Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau​It is an honour to serve as Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) at a time of great challenges and opportunities. Today, the world is grappling with climate change, hunger, natural hazards, and epidemics, among others. Yet, more people are getting online, and the role of space has become even more important. An estimated 5.5 billion people are online. For the remaining 2.6 billion people that are still offline, we are doubling our efforts to get them online in the shortest time possible. How? We are applying a Results Based Management approach with a core focus on achieving results. Our processes, activities, products, and services contribute to the delivery of clearly stated expected accomplishments and objectives that bring impact to the people. We also recognize the importance of partnerships based on win-win outcomes that will help us achieve universal and meaningful connectivity by closing the digital divide, digital skills gap, and achieving inclusivity: Through continuous innovation, as requested by our Member States in the Kigali Action Plan, our work is greatly contributing to global efforts towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. To see the achievements that we are making, see our Impact Stories. I know that working together with industry and private sector, we will get there.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava​​
Director, Telecommunication ​Development Bureau​
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Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava​ took office as Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on 1 January 2023. Read biography

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Latest Bilaterals

Meeting with the Government of the State of Palestine
03 September 2025  Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Bilateral Meeting
Meeting with SPIDER
03 September 2025  Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Bilateral Meeting
Meeting with Amazon.com Services, LLC
03 September 2025  Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Bilateral Meeting
Meeting with Nigerian Communications Commission
03 September 2025  Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Bilateral Meeting
All B​ilaterals​​​​​

BDT Director's News

News, 03 September 2025
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR-25)
The Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR-25) was held from 31 August to 3 September 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, bringing together over 1,200 participants, including ministers and heads of regulatory authorities, to explore the future of digital regulation. Under the theme Regulation for Sustainable Digital Development, the symposium addressed key issues such as AI governance, the space economy, e-waste management, and inclusive digital transformation. 

A major outcome of the event was the adoption of the GSR-25 Best Practice Guidelines, which offer actionable tools for regulators to foster resilient, inclusive digital ecosystems. ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin and BDT Director Cosmas Zavazava emphasized the critical role of regulation in shaping a connected future for all. 



News, 08 August 2025
Awaza, Turkmenistan
Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3)
The Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3) was held from 5 to 8 August 2025 in Awaza, Turkmenistan. ITU actively contributed to the conference, emphasizing the role of digital connectivity in overcoming the geographic and economic challenges faced by LLDCs. 

ITU co-organized several high-level sessions focused on bridging the digital divide, fostering innovation, and enabling e-commerce. These included “Bridging the Digital Divide in LLDCs,” “Emerging Technologies: Bridging the Gap,” and “Digital Development: Is Digitalization the Solution to Landlockedness?” 

A key highlight was the launch of ITU’s new data report, Facts and Figures – Focus on LLDCs, which revealed that while mobile broadband coverage has expanded significantly, actual internet usage remains low due to affordability, digital literacy gaps, and limited relevant content. 

ITU’s engagement at LLDC3 reinforced its commitment to inclusive digital development and its support for the Awaza Programme of Action, which aims to accelerate sustainable development in LLDCs through enhanced connectivity and innovation. 


News, 11 July 2025
Geneva, Switzerland
WSIS+20 High-Level Event 2025
The WSIS+20 High-Level Event took place from 7 to 11 July 2025 in Geneva, marking two decades of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) process. The event brought together global digital development stakeholders to assess progress and chart future directions for inclusive and sustainable digital transformation. The Telecommunication Development Bureau played a central role in organizing sessions focused on connectivity, capacity building, and partnerships for development.


News, 05 June 2025
Virtual
Greening Digital Companies: ITU and WBA release climate accountability report
ITU and the World Benchmarking Alliance published a report assessing the climate performance of 200 leading digital companies. The findings reveal gaps in emissions transparency and science-based targets. The Telecommunication Development Bureau supports national greenhouse gas monitoring through its Expert Group on Telecommunication/ICT Indicators. BDT Director Cosmas Zavazava urged companies to adopt transparent, science-aligned climate strategies. 



News, 16 May 2025
Geneva, Switzerland
32nd Meeting of the Telecommunication Development Advisory Group (TDAG-25)
The 32nd meeting of the Telecommunication Development Advisory Group (TDAG-25) was held from 12 to 16 May 2025 at ITU Headquarters in Geneva, in a hybrid format. The meeting brought together global stakeholders to review progress on the Kigali Action Plan and ensure alignment with the ITU Strategic Plan. Delegates examined reports from Regional Development Forums, discussed new initiatives and partnerships, and explored strategies to accelerate digital transformation. 

TDAG-25 also served as a key preparatory step for the upcoming World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-25). The meeting emphasized inclusive connectivity, youth engagement, and innovation, reinforcing ITU’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and empowering communities worldwide. 

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