Foreword

In 2021, ITU launched the Partner2Connect Digital Coalition, a multistakeholder platform that mobilizes resources, partnerships, and commitments to foster meaningful connectivity and digital transformation globally, in the hardest-to-connect communities.

Reflecting on this past year, I could not be prouder of what we have accomplished together:

• An Action Framework, which has served as the guiding document for the Coalition.
• The Partner2Connect online pledging platform, through which resources from public and private sector players around the world are being mobilized.
• The adoption of Resolution 88 ⁴ on Partner2Connect at the World Telecommunication Development Conference in Kigali, Rwanda, reinforcing the mandate of this Coalition and giving it further impetus to extend its reach and impact.
• The 552 pledges worth around USD 29.74 billion, submitted by 263 entities based in 115 countries around the globe.
• The self-monitoring and reporting process and tool, which promote accountability and allow pledgers to share progress, challenges and opportunities in the implementation of their commitments.
• And finally, the extraordinary Partner2Connect (P2C) community — a vibrant and action-oriented group, striving to change the status quo and advance progress towards a meaningfully connected planet.

It is in the spirit of accountability, transparency, partnership and action-oriented leadership that I am happy to present the first Annual Report of the Coalition’s activities.

This publication summarizes the key milestones of the Coalition so far; presents progress reported on pledges; describes the P2C approach with partner countries; and outlines the plans for the Coalition in 2023. 

The digital divide is no longer just a technology divide — it is an opportunity divide. P2C has started to mobilize efforts to narrow that gap. Although there are plenty of reasons to feel satisfied about the road travelled so far, the Coalition must continue to mobilize pledges, collect data, and monitor and self-report on the implementation of pledges.

I thank all pledgers for their commitments, especially those who shared details on the progress they have made on implementation to help produce this Annual Report. I also would like to thank the Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology, and the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States for their steadfast support to the Coalition since its inception. A special message of gratitude also goes to the focus area leaders who championed the development of the Focus Areas Action Framework and set a strong example of the collaborative spirit that this Coalition embodies.

I invite you to read this document, continue submitting pledges and progress reports, and spread the word about our platform, so that we can continue scaling up commitments and delivering sustainable impact in the years to come.

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