Connecting the unconnected | Secretary-General of the ITU Doreen Bogdan-Martin

Key Concepts

• ITU (International Telecommunication Union): A UN agency established in 1865, focused on global connectivity, technical standards, and interoperability.
• Connect the Unconnected: The core mission to provide internet access to the remaining one-third of the global population.
• AI for Good: A global initiative to leverage artificial intelligence to solve development challenges in health, education, agriculture, and disaster management.
• Digital Infrastructure Investment: The estimated $2.8 trillion requirement to achieve universal connectivity by 2030.
• Multi-stakeholderism: A collaborative framework involving governments, the private sector, academia, and civil society to drive digital progress.
• Early Warnings for All: A UN-led initiative to ensure every country has an early warning system for natural disasters by 2027.

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1. The Role and Evolution of the ITU

The ITU, founded in 1865, originally focused on telegraphy standards. Today, it serves as the backbone of global communication, ensuring that devices, networks, and services (from telephones to AI) can interoperate across 194 member states. Unlike many UN agencies, the ITU uniquely integrates over 1,000 private-sector members, academic institutions, and civil society, fostering a collaborative environment essential for global digital governance.

2. The Challenge of the "Unconnected"

Doreen Bogdan-Martin highlights that approximately 2.2 billion people remain offline. Connectivity is described as the "onramp" to essential services, including:

• Digital Finance: Access to mobile money.
• Education: Remote learning opportunities, particularly vital for refugees.
• Healthcare: Access to remote medical solutions.
• Crisis Response: Maintaining contact with family and safety networks.

Case Study: During a visit to the Farchana refugee camp in Chad, Bogdan-Martin observed how a small ICT center with 20 PCs provided a "digital lifeline" for refugees, enabling them to pursue education and language learning despite having lost their homes.

3. Frameworks for Digital Development

To bridge the digital divide, the ITU utilizes the "Partner to Connect" framework, which focuses on three pillars:

1. Access: Building the necessary infrastructure.
2. Skilling: Ensuring populations have the digital literacy to use the technology.
3. Value Creation: Empowering individuals to create local businesses and sustainable digital lifelines.

The organization estimates a $2.8 trillion investment is required by 2030 to achieve universal connectivity, necessitating a shift from traditional government-only models to robust public-private partnerships.

4. AI for Good and Global Governance

The ITU manages a UN AI hub that tracks over 900 real-world use cases for AI. A primary focus is the "Early Warnings for All" initiative. By using AI to identify "cold spots" (areas lacking connectivity), the ITU can better target humanitarian aid and disaster warnings.

Key Argument: Bogdan-Martin argues that while AI offers immense potential for predictive analytics in crisis management, its effectiveness is entirely dependent on the underlying connectivity. Without the "onramp," the most advanced AI tools cannot reach those most in need.

5. Leadership and Collaboration

Bogdan-Martin defines her leadership style as "collaborative," emphasizing the shift from "I" to "we."

• Consensus Building: She acknowledges that finding common ground among 194 nations is increasingly difficult but essential.
• Youth Engagement: She actively consults a youth advisory group, noting that young people are "digital natives" who provide fresh perspectives on how the ITU can modernize its outreach and social media presence.
• Optimism: Her optimism is fueled by witnessing the tangible, life-changing impact of digital solutions on marginalized populations.

6. Notable Quotes

• "We still have a third of the world that has never, ever connected to the internet. We have to make sure that that third actually gets connected and can participate in this incredibly exciting digital time." — Doreen Bogdan-Martin
• "If you want to go fast, go by yourself, but if you want to go far, you've got to put together a group." — Discussing the necessity of collaborative leadership.
• "Connectivity is the onramp." — A recurring theme regarding the prerequisite for all digital progress.

Synthesis

The future of global technology hinges on the ITU’s ability to balance rapid innovation with inclusive development. By shifting the focus toward public-private partnerships and prioritizing the "unconnected," the ITU aims to ensure that the AI revolution does not exacerbate existing inequalities. The path forward requires a combination of massive infrastructure investment, regulatory agility, and a collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach that empowers the next generation to lead the digital transformation.