The Broadband Commission, ITU and UNOHRLLS

Amir Dossal (Global Partnerships Forum)

Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau,Doreen Bogdan-Martin (ITU)

ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao (ITU)

Moez Chakchouk (UNESCO)

Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu (UNOHRLLS)

Patrick Nyirishema (Regulator, Rwanda

In the midst of global pandemic of Covid-19, the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development has adopted an Agenda for Action advocacy framework which is outlining immediate measures that governments, industry, the international community and civil society can take to shore-up digital networks, strengthen capacity at critical connectivity points like hospitals and transport hubs, and boost digital access and inclusivity, with the aim of strengthening collective response. The Agenda for Action is composed of 3 pillars: resilient connectivity, affordable access, and safe use of online services for informed and educated societies.

This virtual session will serve as the platform for High Level Political Forum 2020 participants and development community to learn, share and explore the measures being taken by UN Agencies, governments and the digital industry to ensure resilient connectivity, access and use, adapting to new realities. The session would include the lessons learned presented by the leaders and best practices of public-private partnership and digital cooperation which led to enable connectivity for the most vulnerable and unconnected populations, identifying measures to connect the remaining unconnected people addressing the specific needs of the LDCs and landlocked countries.

Introduction (5MIN) – Welcome by Ms Doreen Bogdan – Martin, ITU Development Bureau Director, Executive Director of the Broadband Commission

Special remarks (5MIN) – ITU SG, Mr Houlin Zhao

SHORT VIDEO (2MIN) – Broadband Commission 360°

Formal Panel (45MIN) – Moderator to organize panel questions

SHORT VIDEO (2MIN) – Transformative power of Broadband

Open Discussion (20MIN) – Participants are invited to ask questions through the chat function of the call

Guiding questions:

Q: What are your priority actions to increase global connectivity for the next decade towards 2030?

Q: What main challenges are you facing in expanding access to broadband especially in LDCs? What successful experiences and good practices can you share?

Q: What are the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic to build back better and ensure access for all?

Q: What cooperation and collaboration mechanisms are needed to address the connectivity, access, and inclusive usage gaps for the most vulnerable populations?

About the HLPF:

The High-level Political Forum, United Nations central platform for follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals, provides for the full and effective participation of all States Members of the United Nations and States members of specialized agencies.

In 2020, the forum will be held from Tuesday, 7 July, to Thursday, 16 July 2020, under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council. This will include the three-day ministerial meeting of the forum from Tuesday, 14 July, to Thursday, 16 July 2020. The theme will be "Accelerated action and transformative pathways: realizing the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development ". The HLPF will adopt a Ministerial Declaration as the outcome of its session.

About The Broadband Commission:

The Broadband Commission for Digital Development was established in May 2010 with the aim of boosting the importance of broadband on the international policy agenda and expanding broadband access in every country as key to accelerating progress towards national and international development targets. It defines practical ways in which countries — at all stages of development — can achieve this, in cooperation with the private sector.

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