Page 6 - SAMENA Trends - May-June 2022

SAMENA COUNCIL ACTIVITY SAMENA TRENDS

ITU/UNESCO Broadband Commission 2022

ITU/UNESCO Broadband Commission Urges Faster Global Action on Digital
Development

The Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development met in e-health, and e-commerce, among many other digital services," he
Kigali, Rwanda, this weekend to pinpoint new actions that can drive said.
faster progress towards universal meaningful access to digital
networks and services. Commissioners and Special Guests representing government
leaders, heads of international organizations and private sector
The high-level advocacy group came together for its annual companies, along with civil society and academia, discussed the
Spring Meeting at the invitation of the Commission Co-Chair, H.E. power of digital transformation to create broad and positive socio-
President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, ahead of the landmark digital economic impact and looked at ways to rapidly increase access
development conference held every four years by the International to broadband, foster innovative partnerships, empower youth, and
Telecommunication Union (ITU): the World Telecommunication build trust in online spaces.
Development Conference (WTDC).
“We are still living in tough times,
In his opening remarks to the meeting, President Kagame told
Commissioners: “We are still living in tough times, economically, economically, politically, and in terms
politically, and in terms of global public health. The immediate of global public health. The immediate
future is full of uncertainties and risks. But one thing is sure: All
of the challenges we face can be handled faster, better, and more future is full of uncertainties and risks.
equitably, by investing in universal, affordable broadband." But one thing is sure: All of the challenges

Commission Co-Chair Carlos Slim also emphasized the importance we face can be handled faster, better,
of connectivity in the wake of the ongoing global health crisis. and more equitably, by investing in
“For the adoption gap, carriers could provide the devices, and
government programmes could pay the monthly subscription for universal, affordable broadband."
families that qualify, ensuring reasonable packages with unlimited - H.E. President Paul Kagame of Rwanda
minutes and enough data. This would support remote education,

6 MAY-JUNE 2022