90 million people connected under Huawei's pledge to ITU's Partner2Connect
Huawei announced it has already brought connectivity to 90 million people in remote regions in nearly 80 countries following its pledge to the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) Partner2Connect (P2C) Digital Coalition.
The
announcement was made as part of Huawei's first progress report since it joined
the Coalition last year.
Dr. Liang Hua,
Chairman of the Board of Huawei, made the announcement at the company's 2023
Sustainability Forum, which is themed "Thriving Together with Tech:
Realizing Sustainable Development." The event also brought together Doreen
Bogdan-Martin, the Secretary-General of ITU; Jeffrey Sachs, President of the UN
Sustainable Development Solutions Network and Commissioner of the UN Broadband
Commission for Development; as well as representatives from telecommunications
ministries and regulators, including some from Pakistan and Ghana. Attendees
explored how digital infrastructure can better drive sustainable development
and help build a greener and more inclusive intelligent world.
"Next-generation digital infrastructure, like connectivity and computing power, are as vital to driving socio-economic development as our physical infrastructure, just like roads. This new infrastructure will be crucial to sustainable development for all of society," Dr. Liang said.
"Computing is a core driver of
productivity in the digital economy. Faster rollout of computing infrastructure
will help speed up digital transition in many industries, and promote deeper
integration of the digital and real economies. This can further promote global
economic stability and sustainable development."
Further adding
to Dr. Liang's comment, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, the Secretary-General of ITU,
said: "Let's not choose between tech and sustainable development. We need
both! Let's thrive together with tech. Let's build a digital future that
advances progress for people and planet."
Huawei firmly believes digital talent is key
to future technological innovation. To foster more widespread digital
engagement and develop future leaders, the company has deepened its partnership
with ITU by launching a fellowship called "ITU Generation Connect Young
Leadership Programme in Partnership with Huawei".
The fellowship
will be open for applications early next year, and will last three years. Each
year, 30 young visionaries (aged 18-28) from around the world will receive
support in their projects to use digital technology to drive community
development.
Jeff Wang, President of Huawei's Public Affairs and Communications Department, noted: "Huawei is proud to partner with ITU for this important cause, and to see young visionaries making a tangible impact for digital inclusion all across the world.
The support that
participants will receive includes financial contributions to their projects,
mentoring from ITU and Huawei experts, and opportunities to participate in
joint events."
"Through ITU and Huawei's joint efforts, young people will learn, contribute and lead in the digital world," said Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of ITU's Telecommunication Development Bureau.
"Digital is a prerequisite for accelerating the achievement of the
SDGs. We want youth to push the envelope on the evolving global digital
ecosystem and make their transformative contributions. I thank Huawei for this
great partnership, and I look forward to seeing the global impact of this
innovative project."
The P2C Coalition, launched by ITU, fosters meaningful connectivity and digital transformation globally, prioritizing remote communities in countries and regions that lack digital access. Huawei signed the global commitment last year, setting goals to bring connectivity to about 120 million people in remote areas in more than 80 countries by 2025.
So far, Huawei has provided 2,066
training opportunities in the ITU's first
P2C partner country Cambodia, in collaboration with local ministries and
universities.
Comments
Post a Comment