Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava took office as Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on 1 January 2023. With more than 30 years in telecommunications, including over 20 years in ITU’s Development Sector, Dr Zavazava has promoted and implemented impactful information and communication technology projects around the world.

Prior to his election as BDT Director, he served as ITU’s Chief of Partnerships for Digital Development, overseeing development-related projects, strategic partnerships, and resource mobilization between 2019 and 2022, while launching new initiatives that have boosted the engagement of industry, private-sector, and academia members in ITU’s work. From 2010 until 2019, he was Chief of the Projects and Knowledge Management, responsible for ITU’s project portfolio, statistics, capacity building, and emergency telecommunications activities, as well as coordinating special assistance to least developed countries (LDCs), landlocked developing countries (LLDCs), and small island developing states (SIDS). Previously, as ITU’s Chief of Projects and Initiatives, he oversaw development projects focused on gender, youth, and people with special needs, along with capacity building, emergency telecommunications, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and e-waste management. Earlier, Dr Zavazava headed the Republic of Zimbabwe’s Government Telecommunications Agency and served as a senior diplomat. He also taught MBA classes at the UK’s Nottingham Trent University.

Throughout his career, he has focused on closing the digital and skills divide and accelerating digital transformation to achieve socio-economic development for all.

Dr Zavazava holds a PhD in Multilateral Trade from Business School Lausanne (Switzerland), and a Master of Laws degree in Telecommunications and Information Technology from the University of Strathclyde (UK), as well as a Master’s in International Relations from Webster University (US), and an MBA from the University of Zimbabwe. He also holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and diplomas in Telecommunications and Systems Engineering.

Dr Maria Myutel is an Assistant Director, International Engagement – ITU and APT, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (DITRDCA). She leads the Australian Government engagement with the International Telecommunication Union – Development Sector (ITU-D) and the Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT). Maria holds a Doctorate Degree from the Australian National University and an MA in International Relations and Public Administration from the University of Pune, India.

Roxanne helps oversee her Division’s three Branches (Multilateral & Regional Affairs, Cross Border & Treaty Compliance, and International Radiocommunications) and helps formulate FCC positions in multilateral and bilateral engagements and negotiations. Roxanne has also served as Legal Advisor (wireline issues) for one FCC Commissioner and two FCC Bureau Chiefs. She is licensed to practice law in Washington, D.C., New York, and before the United States Supreme Court.

Roxanne has worked with six of the seven Directors who have led the BDT since it was constituted, is the first woman to lead an ITU Sector Advisory Group, and was the first woman to lead an ITU-D Study Group. As TDAG Chair, she shepherded the group through to its outcomes on WTDC preparations, the draft WTDC-22 Declaration, WTDC-22 Action Plan and D Sector Strategic Plan, the ITU-D study questions, and the BDT Thematic Priorities. Roxanne served as a member of the ITU-D Study Group’s Joint Management Team, and led Study Group 1 (enabling environment, cybersecurity, ICT applications, and Internet-related issues) for 2 terms.

In her first term as Chair of Study Group 1, nearly 400 participants contributed to the final outputs for WTDC which included 300 best practice guidelines and training materials on cybersecurity. In her second term, participation increased to nearly 600 unique participants that made nearly 500 contributions to 8 questions (and Resolution 9) similarly recommending best practice guidelines.

Ms. Webber coordinated the first Global Development Initiative undertaken by an FCC Chairman which over 16 months established working agreements with 11 countries from 4 regions of the world (Ghana, Uganda, South Africa, Peru, Argentina, Jamaica, India, Thailand, Philippines, Hungary, Turkey); facilitated a partnership valued at close to USD 1 million with the United States Agency for International Development and the ITU Development Bureau to assist least developed countries (LDCs) emerging from war, civil strife, or natural disaster (Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia, Sierra Leone); and over three years provided regulatory advice and counsel to support a United Nations Development Program (UNDP) initiative that installed some of the first internet nodes on the continent of Africa (e.g., Gambia, Namibia, Ethiopia).

Roxanne received her Juris Doctor Degree from the Howard University School of Law, and her Bachelor of Science Degree from the American University, both located in Washington, D.C., her hometown.

Ms. Cristiana Flutur joined the National Authority for Management and Regulation in Communications (ANCOM) in 2012, as an expert in the Unit for International Relations and European Affairs. She has an active role in representing Romania in the ITU and other international foras.

In June 2019, she was appointed Director for International Affairs within ANCOM, managing the activity of three units which cover issues such as relationship with international and regional organisations, translations and bilateral cooperation, EU affairs, the organization of events and travels, respectively.

Ms. Flutur is the first woman to hold the position of chair of the Committee for ITU Policy (Com-ITU) and co-president of CEPT (The European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations), for a period of three years that started in June 2018. Furthermore, she has acted as European vice-chair of the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2018 (PP-18) and main coordinator for the European Common Proposals and Positions for PP-18.

Ms Flutur is an Economics graduate from the Faculty of Finance and Banking, Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies and holds a master’s degree from the same university in European Economics. She has an extensive experience in the public sector, in both national and international institutions.

Shahad is the Director of international representation at The Communications, Space and Technology (CST).

She actively contributed to the development of key initiatives and partnerships at national and international levels related to empowerment of women and youth, and capacity building in the digital sector. She also actively involved in international ICT indicators and reports. Shahad serves as vice chair of the Telecommunication Development Advisory Group (TDAG) on behalf of the Arab states.

She received her Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology from King Saud University and her Master’s degree in computer sciences from Stevens Institute of Technology‧

Carla Licciardello is Digital Inclusion Coordinator at the International Telecommunication Union, based in Geneva.

She is responsible for supporting digital inclusion activities including online protection for children and women’s empowerment. Before joining ITU, Carla has worked for the Italian Mission in Geneva and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction with a focus on the communication and policy aspects of humanitarian assistance for victims of natural disasters. 

Carla holds a Master’s degree from the University of Turin​ in international relations and human rights with a particular focus on combatting sexual exploitation of children.

Director Broadband & Universal Access and Services- BOCRA

Mrs. Maitseo Ratladi makes part of the executive management of the Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA), currently holding the position of Director-Broadband & Universal Access and Services. She has contributed to the growth of Botswana’s communications landscape for over twenty (20) years, serving at regulatory level, policy advisory level and overseeing implementation of connectivity projects under the Universal Access and Service Fund. She has successfully led teams responsible for economic regulation and market development; pricing and licensing of communication services, as well as digital inclusivity for the benefit of rural and remote communities, disadvantaged groups and grassroot learners. Mrs. Ratladi contributes to the strong collaboration that exists between Botswana and the international world on the digital development front, through working closely with local, regional and international stakeholders.</>

Qualifications: Bachelor of Arts Economics and Accounting, Master of Business Administration (MBA), Post Graduate Diploma in Telecommunications, Post Graduate Diploma in Banking.

Santiago is a Senior Policy Advisor for International Telecommunications and Internet Policy at the Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development of Canada (ISED) and Canada’s Councillor to the ITU.

He has over 20 years of experience in international telecommunications and Internet policy. His responsibilities with the Canadian Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) include ITU Governance (Plenipotentiary Conference and Council) the Development Sector (ITU-D), the World Telecommunications Policy Forum (WTPF) and the World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT). He has been the Head of the Canadian Delegations at WTDC-17 and WTDC- 22, Deputy HoD at PP-14, PP-18 and PP-22. He has been the Vice-Chair of the ITU Expert Group on the ITRs for the Americas region, and chaired the Global Capacity Building Initiative (GCBI).

He also represents Canada at the Permanent Executive Committee of the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL), the Asia-Pacific Telecommunications and Information Working Group (APEC Tel), the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (ITSO), and the International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO). He is the former Chairman of CITEL’s Working Group on Conference Preparations for the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference and of CITEL’s Working Group in preparation for the WTSA, WTDC and WCIT.

Prior to joining the International Telecommunications Policy Directorate in 2003, Santiago was the Associate Director of the Office of International Partnerships (OIP) at the Information Highway Applications Branch of the Department of Industry of Canada, responsible for the promotion of the “Connecting Canadians” strategy in Latin America and the Caribbean. Santiago is co-author of the Agenda for Connectivity in the Americas and Plan of Action of Quito (ACAPAC) and a former member of the Institute for Connectivity in the Americas (ICA).

He is fluent in English, French and Spanish.

Belongs to the Indian Telecom Service (ITS) of 1988 batch at Department of Telecom, Ministry of Communication & IT, Government of India. Presently working as Technical Expert at the Permanent Mission of India at Geneva, Switzerland.

Having experience of more than 31 years in policy formulation, technology deployment, service delivery, administration, research & development and capacity building at senior positions in diverse organizations such as Department of Telecom (DoT), National e-Governance Division (NeGD), Center for Development of Telematics (C-DoT), Telecom Engineering Centre and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). Served as the Government Nominee Director on the Board of ITI Limited from August 2018 to October 2022 and on the Board of Tata Communications Limited from March 2019 to May 2021.

Fellow of the Indian Institute of Management Indore in Information Systems area. Completed the Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) from MDI Gurgaon in the year 2001. Graduated in Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering from SGSITS Indore in the year 1988. Visiting faculty at IIM Indore, IIIT Sri City and Delhi Technological University, Delhi from 2017-18 onwards. Selected as India’s national expert in February 2021 for the Asian Productivity Organization, Tokyo, Japan for publishing a case study on ‘Direct Benefit Transfer in India’ as part of their ongoing research project on ‘Digitization of Public Service Delivery’ in Asian countries.

Published several widely cited research papers, case studies, book reviews in internationally reputed journals. Areas of interest in academic research include e-Government, technology acceptance, interoperability, service quality, green IT, recommender systems, knowledge management, sustainability, business process re-engineering etc.