Page 23 - SAMENA Trends - Gitex Special 2023

SAMENA COUNCIL ACTIVITY SAMENA TRENDS

universal and affordable broadband and supply are shifting despite gains
access, coupled with investments in digital in connectivity. Those trends may not
skills, and the elements that truly define be strong enough to guarantee that the
meaningful connectivity, such as inclusive objective of universal and meaningful
and localized digital content, accessible connectivity will be met by 2030.
hardware, cybersecurity measures, and
policies that ensure digital inclusion for The report offers five considerations for
all," said Hon. Paula Ingabire, Rwanda's how future efforts on connectivity for
Minister of Information Communication digital transformation should be financed
Technology and Innovation representing and funded:
Rwandan President Paul Kagame, • defining measurable goals;
Co-Chair of the Commission. The • addressing barriers to Internet use where
Commission's meeting comes amid the coverage is available;
recent ITU announcement that 2.6 billion • broadening the contributor base
people across the world still lack access and implementing creative funding
to the Internet in 2023. The reduction from approaches;
the estimated 2.7 billion people offline in • aligning and incentivizing funding
2022 leaves about one-third of the global contributors;
population unconnected. This year's • building sustainable network
Annual Meeting also took place ahead infrastructure policies. of digital transformation to everyone, the
of SDG Digital, an event convened by the "Rapid technological advancements hold Broadband Commission puts broadband
International Telecommunication Union transformative potential that, together with connectivity at the forefront of global
(ITU) and United Nations Development a renewed global solidarity and international policy discussions. A Working Group on
Program (UNDP) to highlight how digital cooperation, will play an essential role to Data for Learning, chaired by UNESCO, and
solutions can support the UN's 2030 attain the international development goals," one on Connectivity for MSMEs, chaired by
Agenda for Sustainable Development. said Dr. Tawfik Jelassi, Assistant Director- ITC and the GSMA, presented findings and
"Tech is racing ahead and billions of General for Communication and recommendations of their final reports
people are being left behind,” said ITU Information, UNESCO. “The Broadband during the Annual Meeting. Over 50
Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Commission and UNESCO remain Commissioners and representatives
a Co-Vice Chair of the Commission. “Our committed to fostering this crucial multi- attended the Broadband Commission
task is to invest in affordable broadband, stakeholder dialogue and producing meeting. This included government leaders,
digital skills, and everything that makes strategic foresight that will help us set as well as heads of international
connectivity meaningful." At the meeting, international standards and lead the way in organizations, private sector companies,
the Broadband Commission launched leveraging ICTs for sustainable digital civil society and academia. Special guests
“State of Broadband Report: 2023 transformation." The Broadband attending this year's Annual Meeting
Digital Connectivity – A Transformative Commission develops policy included: Mondli Gungubele, Minister of
Opportunity." The latest edition of the recommendations and thought leadership Communications and Digital Technologies
annual report reviews the progress of seven focused on the use of broadband of South Africa; Jessica Rosenworcel,
Global Advocacy Targets and highlights connectivity to accelerate progress toward Chairwoman of the U.S. Federal
the opportunities that would come from achieving the UN's 2030 Agenda for Communications Commission; and Kyoung
broadband that is universally available, Sustainable Development and universal Yul Bae, President, Korea Information
equitable and affordable. This year's report and meaningful connectivity. To mobilize Society Development Institute (KISDI).
notes that market trends for consumption efforts to bring the life-changing benefits

23 GITEX SPECIAL 2023