Dr Peter Vari, Deputy Director General of NMHH, Mr Oli Bird, Co-President of CEPT, Ms Gwi-Yeop Son, Regional Director, United Nations Development Coordination Office, excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, it is my great pleasure to welcome you to the Regional Development Forum for the Europe Region.
I would like to thank the National Media and Infocommunications Authority of Hungary for hosting this Forum and all of you for being here, whether in person or remotely.
This year we are celebrating the 160th anniversary of the ITU, founded in the age of the telegraph, but with an even more important role to play in the age of the internet. Last year, world leaders came together to affirm that our common future is digital, by signing the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations. Our role is to ensure everyone benefits from that digital future, and we must work with our UN colleagues towards achieving that goal in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.
In recent years, our work has been guided by the Kigali Action Plan, as decided at the 2022 World Telecommunication Development Conference. The Regional Initiatives for the Europe Region adopted there involve support for countries in developing digital infrastructure, accelerating digital transformation, strengthening digital skills and promoting digital inclusion, as well as enhancing confidence and security in use of ICTs and fostering digital innovation.
That work is having a demonstrable impact on people's lives. Here in Europe, we have supported several countries in strengthening their capacities. In broadband development and strategy. Mapping systems for Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Moldova. An IPv6 laboratory in Montenegro. Emergency telecommunications projects in Moldova and Georgia. We've also helped countries develop Digital Innovation Profiles, Digital Development Country Profiles and Child Online Assessments. To provide skills development for women in cyber, and build enabling environments for sustainable digital transformation.
All this has been made possible by our supporters, so let me take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to the European Union, its Member States and European Commission being our largest supporters, with current ongoing projects exceeding 30 million euros in value.
And that brings me to the Status of Digital Development and Trends report, which we are launching today. The Europe region, consisting of 46 countries, has made some important achievements in the ICT sector. Europe stands out as the region with the most affordable broadband services globally. Entry-level mobile broadband services account for just 0.3 per cent of gross national income per capita, compared to a global average of 1.1 per cent. It's no coincidence that 91 per cent of the population were using the Internet in 2024, far exceeding the global average of 68 per cent. Mobile network coverage has seen rapid expansion, with 5G networks already covering 72 per cent of the population. The region has achieved gender parity in Internet use and 98 per cent of young people are using the Internet.
Of course, there remains some challenges. Urban-rural divides persist, particularly in access to high-speed networks, underscoring the need for continued investment in rural areas. And among those aged 75 years and above, Internet penetration is much more variable, ranging from 92 per cent to as little as 19 in some areas. So we still have work to do.
That is why I am as passionate as ever about Partner2Connect, and of matchmaking to mirror various initiatives. Currently the number of pledges pertaining to Europe stands at 213, amounting to a total estimated value of $10.17 billion. Our continuing goal is to match the Partner2Connect commitments with member states' connectivity needs, including supporting less developed countries through regulatory frameworks, digital infrastructure and cybersecurity initiatives. We call on Member States and the private sector to join forces through matchmaking and make even more of a difference.
Finally, let me mention the joint BDT and the European Commission's EUR 3 million project on promoting and universal and meaningful digital connectivity. Our comprehensive assessment of Europe's digital landscape shows the region is well on track to achieving UMC. Certainly, Europe will have much to contribute to the World Telecommunication Development Conference 2025 in Azerbaijan in November so I hope many of you will join us there.
Thank you!
