This has been nothing short of an exhilarating session!
In the last 90 minutes, we have seen the vision, the mechanism, and the state of play of P2C clearly articulated to accelerate universal and meaningful connectivity in the hardest-to-connect communities.
201 pledges, 12 billion dollars! And we still welcome more.
It is a pleasure to see pledges coming in, and the response of the pledgers to our LDC Pledge Campaign.
Now, to operational matters.
Let me give a bird's eye view.
The global platform that Partner2Connect offers allows not only to mobilize resources and commitments for connecting the unconnected But as we may have heard here, it allows us to also monitor and track progress on implementation and to establish potential partnerships among pledges and countries in need of digital transformation.
In the monitoring and tracking of implementation, we will be able to see the impact created through the Coalition and its pledgors on the ground.
I therefore look forward to continually strengthening the role of ITU in monitoring and tracking progress on pledges, starting with Cambodia, as a pilot ccountry.
So, what are our key operational ideas? How can we facilitate implementation, matchmaking and impact on the ground?
We are looking to undertake a holistic and inclusive digital transformation in implementing the mandate under the auspices of Partner2Connect.
The objective is to leverage the P2C current- and potential pledges in order to mobilize all interested stakeholders.
This is new thinking. The digital sphere is dynamic. Digital transformation is demonstrably moving toward the core of economic planning, especially in developing countries.
I see three key overlapping themes: resource mobilization, implementation by the pledgers, and reporting.
Pledges are very important.
We are looking to speedily leverage intention, action, and partnership.
But the lifeblood of everything is data. Data at the beginning and reporting as projects progress. Monitoring and tracking are fundamentally key here.
Effective data will strengthen our joint work. It will give us focus on key tasks.
So, we really encourage you to report progress, and thanks to the 35 entities that have already done so.
This is one of a series of information sharing events in 2023. I will also be focusing on regional roundtables to provide opportunities for matchmaking, updates and expertise sharing.
Please keep your eyes on the P2C website for updates.
This will be a pivotal year for P2C in the LDC community.
If we get it right, major digital transformation benefitting many communities around the world is in prospect.
Thank you.
