MEDIA ACCREDITATION OPEN – ACCREDIT NOW HERE
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.
Journalists please note:
Formal UN accreditation is essential to attend onsite and access conference livestreams. Accreditation will close on May 27, and no accreditation will be possible onsite. All members of broadcast crews (including technicians) must be accredited to access the venue.
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.
What: ITU World Telecommunication Development Conference
When: Generation Connect Global Youth Summit: 2-4 June
World Telecommunication Development Conference: 6-16 June
Generation Connect Opening Press Conference: 2 June
WTDC Opening Press Conference and launch of ITU's Global Connectivity Report 2022: 6 June
Where: Kigali Convention Centre, Republic of Rwanda. Please register here.
Why: The WTDC conference will adopt the Kigali Declaration and Action Plan, a global roadmap for national, regional, and global digital development. This is the first WTDC happening in Africa since the establishment of ITU's Development Sector in 1992.
Who: Government leaders and experts, the private sector, international and regional organizations, development banks, academia, other ITU Development Sector members, and youth delegates.
Similar to nationals of all countries, any international media participant intending to cover the event onsite can receive a visa on arrival at Kigali International Airport, and all land borders, for a fee of US$50. The visa fee is waived for a visit of up to 30 days for citizens of countries which are members of the African Union, the Commonwealth and La Francophonie. More information is available here.
Note to UN-accredited media: Media already accredited with the UN Office in Geneva or the United Nations Office in New York can email pressreg@itu.int expressing their intention to participate. They will be automatically registered and will only need to show their UN Press badge to collect the WTDC event badge at the venue from Wednesday 1 June.
Note to All non-UN-accredited media: Media are advised to submit their requests for accreditation and registration as quickly as possible to allow enough time for verification of media credentials and to receive key announcements in the run-up to the conference.
If accreditation is approved, journalists will receive an email from the ITU press team and will be able to collect their event badge from the venue from Wednesday 1 June.
Note to broadcast crews: All members of your team (including technicians, sound and camera crews) intending to participate onsite must be accredited to obtain an event badge. There will be strictly no admittance to the venue without an event badge.
Note to media accompanying national delegations: Journalists who are accompanying a national delegation in an official capacity to support the participation of that delegation have the option to register as either Media or Delegate. Dual registration is not possible. Please consult the guidelines outlining the access restrictions related to each type of registration to understand the difference between the two options. You may also refer to the general Media Accreditation and Event Registration guidelines.
Social media packs (Trello Board):
- Generation Connect
- Partner2Connect
- World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC)
Discover what others are saying on social media and join the conversation by searching and posting with the hashtag #ITUWTDC and #Partner2Connect
For questions regarding media accreditation and registration:
Santiago Martorana
Senior Media Relations Officer
Corporate Communications Division
International Telecommunication Union
Email: pressreg@itu.int
Claude Kabengera
Rwanda Office of the Government Spokesperson
Tel: +250788318088
Email: media@ogs.gov.rw
About ITU
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs), driving innovation in ICTs together with 193 Member States and a membership of over 900 companies, universities, and international and regional organizations. Established over 150 years ago, ITU is the intergovernmental body responsible for coordinating the shared global use of the radio spectrum, promoting international cooperation in assigning satellite orbits, improving communication infrastructure in the developing world, and establishing the worldwide standards that foster seamless interconnection of a vast range of communications systems. From broadband networks to cutting-edge wireless technologies, aeronautical and maritime navigation, radio astronomy, oceanographic and satellite-based earth monitoring as well as converging fixed-mobile phone, Internet and broadcasting technologies, ITU is committed to connecting the world. For more information, visit www.itu.int
