Established in 2010 by ITU, UNESCO, H.E. President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, and Mr. Carlos Slim Helu of Mexico, the Broadband Commission elevated the importance
This podcast series examines the future of connectivity, from satellite broadband and space technologies, to Africa’s digital transformation, and the role of broadband in education, skills,
Commission reviews progress on bringing benefits of broadband to all Originally published on itu.int Geneva, 06 July 2025 The UN Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development met today in
As CEO of Orange Group, Broadband Commissioner Christel Heydemann has advanced efforts to expand broadband access, lower connectivity costs, and promote digital skills. Through major
As the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development marks 15 years of impact, it reaffirms the critical role of global cooperation in making broadband a foundation for equitable,
As the Executive Director of the International Trade Centre (ITC), Pamela Coke-Hamilton has brought a clear focus to the role of digital connectivity in driving
Contributions to the Commission’s early direction As a founding member of the Broadband Commission, Amir Dossal has helped shape its work since its creation
The Broadband Commission Working Group on Data Governance, co-chaired by UNESCO, alongside ITU, UNDP, and the African Union Commission, is making significant strides in shaping the future of global data governance.
The Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development met for its Annual Fall Meeting, urging governments, industry, academia and civil society to collaborate to support the implementation of the forthcoming UN Global Digital Compact.
In an effort to address the digital divide faced by MSMEs in developing countries, the Co-Chairs of the Working Group on Connectivity for MSMEs—Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director of the ITC and Mats Granryd, Director General of the GSMA—have recently signed an MoU. This new partnership aims to turn the key recommendations from the Commission Working Group’s outcome report, “Making Connectivity Work for MSMEs,” into actionable initiatives.
The Broadband Commission released the first part of the report today at its virtual Spring Meeting, which brought together government leaders and heads of international organizations alongside representatives of private sector companies, civil society and academia.
The WSIS+20 Forum High-Level Event, taking place from 27 to 31 May 2024, celebrated two decades of remarkable progress since the inception of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). The agenda for the WSIS+20 Forum High-Level Event featured a diverse lineup of esteemed panelists, including several Broadband Commissioners, all coming together to shape the future of global digital cooperation.
To advance Broadband Commission Target 4 on Digital skills, Millicom (Tigo) has launched its digital platform educacioncontigo.com. The platform combines two of Millicom’s flagship digital education programs, Conectadas and Maestr@s Conectad@s, into one location where users will have access to free education tools.
The SAMENA Telecommunications Council Leaders’ Summit 2024 took place on May 13th, 2024, bringing together together more than 400 top-level stakeholders to discuss the future of digital development and telecommunications
On May 17th, the global community celebrated World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD), marking a significant occasion that underscored the transformative impact of digital technologies on creating a sustainable and inclusive future.
The Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona is an annual trade show organized by the GSMA dedicated to the mobile communications industry. Several Commissioners and their entities participated in the gathering as speakers, attendees and session moderators. In addition to the general agenda, a Ministerial Programme was featured under the “Mobile for Development ” Track, this Programme is noted to be the largest gathering of policymakers and industry leaders in the world.
Many Broadband Commissioners attended the WEF Annual Meeting this year to bring the issues of digital inclusion, new technologies as a driving force for the economy and society and universal connectivity center stage. Covering topics from, the future of AI, e-government services, space connectivity and more, they presented insightful discussions and shared innovative strategies aimed at closing the digital divide and promoting equal access to the internet as a means of advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Many members of the Broadband Commission and representatives of their entities participated in COP28, including the Honourable Prime Minister Mia Mottley, Ms Doreen Bogdan- Martin, Ms Rabab Fatima, Ms Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Professor Jeffrey Sachs, Mr Filippo Grandi and others. Below are selected events highlighting their participation and contributions to the conference in the area of ICT for Development (ICT4D).
On 7 December 2023, the Broadband Commission Working Group on Connectivity for MSMEs, co-chaired by ITC and GSMA, hosted an in-person session at UNCTAD eWeek to explore the findings of their recent report, “Making Connectivity Work for MSMEs”, and discuss how improved uptake and usage of digital connectivity, especially for e-commerce, supports development.
Broadband Commissioners and leaders convened at WRC23 to assess Radio Regulations, aiming to ensure a rational, equitable, efficient, and economical utilization of the radio-frequency spectrum, while also working to prevent detrimental interference among diverse radiocommunication services.
Broadband Commissioners are actively engaged in various international, regional, and national events worldwide, united in their commitment to achieving universal meaningful connectivity. Their collective efforts
Broadband Commissioners played a prominent role at SDG Digital, sharing invaluable insights and firm commitments to achieving universal and meaningful connectivity.
The Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development called for a joint global effort to achieve universal and meaningful connectivity by 2030 at its annual Fall Meeting held today at UN Headquarters in New York.
According to the Commission, the collaborative effort must ensure that people around the world are not only connected, but that they also have the skills and knowledge to use that connectivity
Broadband Commissioners attended the AI for Good Global Summit, held in Geneva, Switzerland 6-7 July 2023, with a focus on the fundamental role of AI in getting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals back on track by 2030.
On June 27th, in celebration of MSME Day 2023, the Broadband Commission’s Working Group on Connectivity for MSMEs hosted a webinar titled “The Power of Connectivity and Digital Tools for Small Businesses.” The event was broadcasted through WSIS&SDG TalkX, a platform dedicated to sharing experiences and stories on ICT for development by stakeholders all over the world.
In May 2023, the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development, UNESCO, and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) conducted a webinar on “Leading in the Digital Era: How can Public Sector Leaders Use AI for the Good of All?” hosted on the AI for Good platform.
Nokia reports progress on its pledge made to the ITU Partner2Connect (P2C) Digital Coalition. The company has committed in May last year to improve the lives of 1500000 through social digitalization projects, digital skills building, and connecting the unconnected or underserved by 2025.
The 2023 World Summit on Information Society Forum (WSIS Forum) kicked off the in-person portion of the event 13-17 March 2023 at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Headquarters in Geneva, with the leadership and attendance of many Broadband Commissioners.
The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. It is instrumental in promoting women’s rights, documenting the reality of women’s lives throughout the world, and shaping global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women
LDC5 is a once-in-a-decade event for gaining international support and fostering partnerships to advance sustainable development in the 46 Least Developed Countries by 2030, helping them make progress on the road to prosperity.
Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona is an annual gathering organized by GSMA, dedicated to connectivity and mobile ICTs, and is considered the “largest and most
In line with Broadband Commission’s Advocacy Target 4 to promote digital skills development, Millicom Tigo is now offering free, digital education courses to all teachers, mentors, and educators looking to acquire more digital skills and take their educational mission to virtually anywhere.
The Broadband Commission has provided substantive inputs to HLPF 2022, including findings, research, data, and policy recommendations drawn from the Commission’s connectivity-based response to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the flagship State of Broadband Report.
Smart Africa Digital Academy (SADA) is a dynamic pan-African learning ecosystem in which African citizens of all ages and social classes can acquire or improve their digital skills, gain qualifications and meet the emerging talent needs of employers, industry or be self- sufficient.
At its Spring Meeting in Kigali, Commissioners outlined next steps for accelerating inclusive universal connectivity, setting the stage for tomorrow’s opening of the ITU WTDC
A founding member of the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development, CEO of Verizon, Hans Vestberg, has been committed to achieving meaningful universal connectivity.
For experts taking part in Davos Agenda online sessions this week, the world’s push for inclusive and sustainable social and economic development in the wake of COVID-19 hinges on intensifying cooperation to boost connectivity.
Progress on Universal Connectivity in 2021 Over the course of this year, the Broadband Commission has developed new thought leadership on the addressing the barriers to reaching
On Dec 13, over 100 representatives from Permanent Missions to the United Nations in both New York and Geneva, as well as various UN organizations,
Channeling public-private partnerships to close the digital divide Contributed by Nokia Nokia had the honor of hosting His Excellency Mr. Courtenay Rattray, United Nations High
A warm welcome to our new Commissioners The Broadband Commission would like to express a warm welcome to its new Commissioners this Fall. Some members
Global call for frontier technologies, impactful partnerships and collaborative financing approaches to unleash the power of connectivity Originally published on itu.int More than a year