Highlights March 2024
25 - 29 March
Environment: Africa
An e-waste workshop introduced participants to the basics and key elements of e-waste and circular economy. It acquainted private sector participants with the CST-ITU e-waste project and implementing and enforcing extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulations. It also engaged producers and got their commitment on the key provisions regarding the regulation of EPR in Zambia, including exploring the potential business opportunities in the e-waste sector. The workshop was impactful with many valuable inputs gathered that will inevitably direct the effective preparation of the regulation.
ITU Regional Development Forum for CIS (RDF-CIS) 2024
Hosted by the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the ITU Regional Development Forum (RDF) for the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) identified trends and discussed opportunities to achieve universal, affordable and meaningful connectivity and sustainable digital transformation in the CIS region. The RDF welcomed over 105 participants from 10 countries, regional stakeholders and decisionmakers including Ministers involved in digital development and innovation. While Partner2Connect matchmaking roundtables unveiled new mechanisms to enhance impact, new pledges were taken and multistakeholder partnerships were forged.
18 - 22 March
Environment: Global
The Global E-waste Monitor 2024 2024, launched by ITU and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), shows that the world generates 62 million tonnes of e waste and only 22.3 per cent of this is documented to be formally collected and recycled. The report warns of a pending, global e waste disaster due to lagging recycling efforts efforts. The BDT Director said that “From discarded televisions to dumped telephones, an enormous amount of e waste is generated around the world. The latest research shows that the global challenge pose d by e waste is only going to grow. With less than half of the world implementing and enforcing approaches to manage the problem, this raises the alarm for sound regulations to boost collection and recycling. The Global E waste Monitor is the world's foremost source for e waste data allowing us to track progress over time and to make critical decisions when it comes to transitioning to a circular economy for electronics."
Policy and regulation: Asia and Pacific
The ITU Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific hosted the first 5G Webinar session on key enablers for 5G adoption among Asia Pacific countries countries, with the collaboration of the Ministry of Posts and Telecom Cambodia and the Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia Cambodia. A study based on econometric analysis was conducted by the ITU Regional Office. The session included experience sharing from Member States on 5G opportunities and issues. The presentations focused on key drivers to enable effective and efficient rollout including Demand & Pricing, Spectrum, Infrastructure and Laws & Regulations.
Other: Africa
ITU contributed to the validation of the Data Protection regulations and Computer and Cyber crime laws in Eswatini. ITU worked hand in hand with the Ministry of ICT and Eswatini Communication Authority to implement the laws and develop the prerequisite regulations. ITU reviewed and analyzed the regulatory powers under the Acts, and conducted virtual consultations with the Eswatini Communications Commission (ESCCOM) and Ministry to obtain legislative drafting instructions that were used to submit the zero draft.
11 - 15 March
Digital inclusion: Asia and Pacific
The ITU Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific organized the 14th Asia & Pacific Digital Transformation in Learning and Education Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting with participation from United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), EdTech, and KaiOS. ITU highlighted the upcoming Girls in ICT Day 2024 and Generation Connect, as well as introduced the ITU Area Office for South Asia and Innovation Centre in New Delhi. Participants reviewed the TWG objective, workplan, collective goals and aspirations as a TWG.
Digital services and applications: Asia and Pacific
The ITU Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific joined the Digital Government Forum Cambodia to share best practices and knowledge on the digital transformation of government through GovStack, as well as the benefits of digitalization to rural and remote communities through Smart Villages and Smart Islands. The event was attended by several countries from Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in addition to participation from Cambodia.
Digital services and applications: Global
After eight weeks of dedication, collaboration, and learning, the GovStack Women in GovTech Challenge was completed by 139 participants from 59 countries. The Challenge was designed to help participants obtain the necessary knowledge to develop citizen centric digital government services, learn technical and soft skills, and accelerate their GovTech careers. Over the past 8 weeks, the GovStack team and experienced mentors provided guided support enabling participants to design citizen centric digital services with the GovStack approach. In addition, the participant participants became part of a strong network and community of practice that will help them exchange knowledge and advance their work on the digital transformation of the public sector.
Policy and regulation: Asia and Pacific
The ITU Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific actively engaged in the International Christian University (ICU) UN Seminar which took place in Tokyo, Japan. During this event, ITU made a significant intervention in the session “The Role of Digitalization in Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”. This participation underscored ITU’s unwavering commitment to leveraging digital technologies for the advancement of global sustainable development objectives, in alignment with the broader initiatives of the United Nations. By emphasizing the pivotal role of ICTs in achieving the SDGs, ITU demonstrated its dedication to driving positive change through technological innovation on a global scale.
Policy and regulation: Asia and Pacific
The ITU Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific was invited to participate as the advisor in the annual assembly of the Asia Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD). Throughout the General Conference, participants, including representatives from ITU, assessed the extensive array of activities and projects executed by AIBD over the preceding year, while also engaging in discussions regarding forthcoming initiatives and collaborative endeavors.
Policy and regulation: Asia and Pacific
At the 28th Meeting of the Regional Interagency Working Group on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), Bangkok, ITU presented the Partner2Connect Digital Coalition as well as planned events for 2024.
New Members: Americas
People Centered Internet joins ITU D as its newest Sector Member. Founded in 2015, People Centered Internet (PCI) aims towards a society that uses digital systems for “people, community, and planet”. The entity is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in the United States. PCI’s current focus areas include Access and Connectivity, People centered Apps & Content , Ethics & Trust, Diversity & Opportunity, Digital Health & Security and Policy Governing. PCI was an organizer of the UN’s Science Summit at the 78th General Assembly 2023 in New York.
Connect2Recover: Americas
The report on “Telecommunication networks and infrastructure resilience assessment in Haiti” was published in English and French, based on collaboration between Connect2Recover, ITU Area Office for the Caribbean. This report on Haiti provides lessons learned for least developed countries and small island developing states to strengthen the resilience of their digital infrastructure against the threats posed by
pandemics and natural hazards.
4 - 8 March
Digital inclusion: Asia and Pacific
The ITU Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific participated in the “Ambassador for a Day” event held in conjunction with International Women’s Day. The event was hosted by the Australian Ambassador. The ITU Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific also participated in “The Asia-Pacific Regional Commemoration of International Women’s Day 2024”, jointly convened by UNESCAP and UN-Women.
Digital services and applications: Asia and Pacific
Under the EU-funded STREIT program, BDT in partnership with FAO, UNICEF, Department of ICT Papua New Guinea (PNG), and PNG University of Technology, conducted Hybrid Capacity Building Training of Trainers (ToT). By the end of the ToT, 30 participants had improved skills on team building and pedagogical skills, e-commerce and online marketing, developed online training materials and conducted online trainings in Moodle Learning Management System (LMS) platform, Government to Citizens (G2C) Services, digital literacy and drafted sustainability business plans for the resource centers in East and West Sepik Provinces.