Smart Africa Steering Committee Meeting
Opening remarks
ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin
Madam Commissioner, Mr Director General, dear colleagues, it's good to see you all here today.
I understand this is the second time Smart Africa has come to Barcelona for Mobile World Congress.
It's really important that the issues we care about get the attention they deserve in all the discussions taking place this week.
I'm talking about climate change, AI (artificial intelligence), cybersecurity, skills development, affordability, infrastructure investments, digital health, women's empowerment, data governance, sustainability — among others.
All these issues are reflected in the decisions that are being implemented from our last meeting in Kigali just a few months ago, as well as the blueprints and projects on our agenda for today.
Let me highlight a few of them, starting with skills development, which was at the heart of the recent summit of the African Union in Addis.
The entire year is centered on the theme of education, and how to “Educate an African fit for the 21st century."
For me, education is something that's critical, because it cuts across all issues — and because it can leverage the continent's vibrant youth.
Another issue that I look forward to hearing your views on AI.
First of all, I want to congratulate Smart Africa on its position paper on AI, and on putting inclusivity front and centre.
This is a moment of uncertainty. There's no doubt about it. Not just for Africa, but for the entire world.
But it's also an opportunity to reaffirm our values and ensure that all Africans have a voice in shaping an AI future that serves the interests of Africa.
Colleagues,
There's a lot of expectations for the continent, and from Africans themselves.
We have entered the second decade of Agenda 2063, and the home stretch of the SDGs.
In the next few months, we will have the opportunity to carry the voice and vision of Smart Africa at the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States; The third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries in Kigali; and the UN Summit of the Future.
There will also be the Transform Africa Summit, and ITU's own World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly.
This is our moment.
Let's seize it, and make it the Africa moment.
Thank you.
