Dr Fadel Digham, Chair of Study Group 2, Ms Roxanne McElvane Webber, Chair of TDAG, Vice-Chairs, Rapporteurs and Vice-Rapporteurs of Study Group 2, distinguished guests, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, welcome!
It is with great pleasure that I open this third meeting of ITU-D Study Group 2, a pivotal gathering in our journey towards fostering global digital transformation. Especially pivotal because it comes at a time when our commitment to digital progress is also being championed on the global stage, a vision that was also articulated at the Summit of the Future in September. That pledge by world leaders to nurture digital transformation by the year 2030 is a testament to our shared mandate.
The World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly has also added its voice to the chorus by approving decisions on standards in domains such as cybersecurity, mobile device theft prevention and the advancement of smart cities and communities, all aligning closely with this group's developmental goals.
Simultaneously, the UN Climate Change Conference, COP29, opens today in Baku, underscoring the need for investment to tackle climate change, with ICTs to play an essential role.
Of course, the World Telecommunication Development Conference will take place in the same city next year, so the coming period is of critical importance. This provides a powerful indication of the urgency and pertinence of this group's work in driving transformational change through ICTs.
So, I thank you for the substantial progress you have made, as evidenced by numerous insightful contributions and the presentation of a new interim deliverable for this group's consideration. United in our efforts, we are not merely adapting to change, but actively shaping a digital future that promises greater connectivity, resilience and inclusiveness.
Your unwavering dedication is the cornerstone of the group's success, and I look forward to the breakthroughs that will stem from this week's discussions. The BDT remains resolute in its commitment to support your endeavours. Our engagement spans various initiatives, each intertwined with the subjects of this study group.
For example, the "VaMoz Digital!" programme, a collaboration with the EU, through which we are helping the Government of Mozambique to refine and amplify its digital transformation strategies. Or our efforts to empower farmers in Papua New Guinea with ecommerce knowledge, enabling them to become digital ambassadors within their communities. Or our launching of a series of global, regional, and national e-waste monitors, which will enhance e-waste data intelligence and heighten awareness about e-waste challenges across diverse regions.
My team and I are ready to lend our full support at every juncture, but it is your expertise, insight, and steadfast commitment to our collective objectives that propel us toward our vision of a digitally inclusive world.
So, let us proceed with determination and a spirit of optimism, confident that the endeavours we undertake today will reverberate into a more interconnected and empowered tomorrow. As ever, I wish you a successful meeting. Thank you!
