Road to Addis: Shaping the 2021 digital development agenda
 

The ITU's World Telecommunication Development Conference, known as WTDC, sets the strategies and objectives for the global digital development agenda. Held every four years, it repres​ents a unique opportunity for the international community to gather together and discuss the future of the tech sector and its contribution to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. 

On 9 November, a special virtual session, hosted by ITU, formally launched the WTDC countdown and the Road to Addis series and introduced the role of WTDC in helping to advance connectivity for all. The session presented today's global digital development challenges and opportunities and proposed solutions for discussions at WTDC.

The Road to Addis is building momentum towards WTDC, strengthens partnerships and engagement and helps to shape with key stakeholders the WTDC agenda. The events focus on specific issues relevant to digital development and feature the participation of key stakeholders.​​​​



Quicklinks

If you have missed the opening session, watch it here​

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T​he session consisted of a formal opening session with keynote speeches by high-level representatives of ITU and Ethiopia. It was followed by Youth Conversations -  a series of short dialogues between young people​ and guest speakers. Guest speakers included key ITU partners, including the UN Under-Secretary General and Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Digital Cooperation,  key multilateral/UN partners, such as representatives from UNICEF, UNDP, UN Women and selected business leaders. 


The disc​ussion also included interludes to focus on​:

    • ​​​The launch and presentation of the Road to Addis series
    • The launch and presentation of Generation Connect​
    • Virtual signing of the WTDC​ Host Country Agreement​

 

ITU Secretary-General Mr. Houlin Zhao and State Minister Ahmedin Mohammad signed the WTDC Host Country Agreement​ on 9 November 2020.​