Wednesday, 23 October

13:00 – 14:00

Bridging the digital divide: The role of standards in shaping an inclusive future

ITU Partner2Connect session

This session will showcase the commitments of P2C Champions and pledgers that advance global digital inclusion through ITU standards. It aims to promote the P2C platform’s role in aligning global efforts toward universal connectivity and leverage relationships among participants to develop partnerships for pledge implementation. Additionally, it seeks to inspire members of the WTSA community to join the Partner2Connect Digital Coalition and pledge for universal meaningful connectivity and digital transformation. A key focus will be on the participation of P2C pledgers committed to ICT standards that promote digital inclusion, highlighting their vital role in bridging the digital divide and ensuring universal connectivity.

Opening Remarks:

• Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General, International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

• Sandeep Kumar Gupta, Director, Ministry of Communications, India

Moderator:

Frederic Werner, Chief, Strategy and Operations, AI for Good, TSB, International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

Panelists:

• Joshua Cockerill, Director, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, Australia

• Ronaldo Neves, Head, International Affairs Office, Agência Nacional de Telecomunicações – ANATEL, Brazil

• Rebecca Mukite, Head, Communications Infrastructure and Services, Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Uganda

• Li Tian, Director of Standards Management, ZTE Corporation, China

• Rosanny Arias Castillo, Manager, Office of Information and Communication Technology (OGTIC), The Dominican Republic

• Yamamoto Hiroshi, Director, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT)

Closing Remarks:

Atsuko Okuda, Regional Director, International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific