Connecting the Unconnected | ITU Set to Host WTDC in Rwanda

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) will host its World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC) in Kigali, Rwanda, between 6 and 16 June.

This landmark conference is dedicated to driving digital transformation in line with the global Sustainable Development Goals set out by the United Nations. It represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the international community to forge bold and innovative digitally focused strategies to help break down chronic socio-economic development barriers.

The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown a sharp spotlight on the importance of Internet access and connectivity to boost economic resilience and ensure social inclusion everywhere.

WTDC, with an emphasis on 'Connecting the Unconnected to Achieve Sustainable Development', aims to adopt a global roadmap for digital transformation and ultimately help put meaningful access to digital technologies in the hands of billions worldwide.

Mobilizing diverse voices

Normally held every four years, the global conference calls for harnessing the untapped power of digital technologies to accelerate the achievement of the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals and ITU's Connect 2030 Agenda.

The conference is expected to attract more than 1,200 participants, including Heads of State, government ministers from around the world, and many other high-level delegates.

For the first time, WTDC will be preceded by the Generation Connect Global Youth Summit, welcoming an estimated 400 young delegates aged 18-29 from around the world, along with up to 5,000 remote participants.

Showcasing pledges and strategies

This year's conference also features a roundtable series under the Partner2Connect (P2C) Digital Coalition, a new public-private partnership initiative bringing together companies, non-governmental organizations, development financing bodies, academia and research institutions, along with other stakeholders from across the digital ecosystem.

Participants are set to debate effective digital development strategies, as well as showcase key pledges and commitments to connect the world. More than 120 pledges and commitments are expected to be announced at these sessions.