New ITU Chief Calls for One ITU and Public-Private Partnerships

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In a statement outlining her vision, American Doreen Bogdan-Martin, who was chosen in September to take over as the ITU’s secretary-general, said she wanted to mobilize public-private partnerships to link the 2.7 billion people who still do not have access to the internet.

“The pandemic demonstrated how much we rely on connectivity and how much digital undercuts every sector of the economy. Covid-19 was a wake-up call. It was a real game changer for connectivity,” she said.

Bogdan-Martin previously made history as the first woman ever elected to serve on ITU’s top leadership team four years ago, when she won her current position as Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT).

It’s about what You can do with that connectivity

There should be unprecedented funds and commitment to achieve the aims. She cited Partner2Connect, a global initiative Bogdan-Martin put together as Director of ITU‘s Telecommunication Development Bureau over the last four years.

“It’s not just connecting you to the internet. It’s about what you can do with that connectivity.” Promoting digital skills to leverage and use connectivity while ensuring that connectivity is trusted and safe, affordable, and empowering, remains an important focus. It’s the whole of what the digital ecosystem can bring – that goes much beyond the actual connection, she added.

Vision for First 100 Days in Office:

Bogdan Martin has a vision of the ITU that inspires, includes, and innovate in her first 100 days in office. She wants much listening and intensive dialogue with ITU staff and member states to make ITU “the preeminent thought leader and reference point on digital issues”.