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REGULATORY NEWS

Partner2Connect: Mobilizing Pledges to Bridge the Connectivity Gap

The Partner2Connect Digital Coalition
(P2C) led by the International Telecom-
munication Union (ITU) seeks a more eq-
uitable and inclusive world through digital
technologies. ITU Secretary-General Do-
reen Bogdan-Martin has set an ambitious
goal of mobilizing USD 100 billion worth of
pledges through the platform by 2026. P2C
is now more than halfway there, surpassing
the USD 50 billion mark in commitments by
May 2024, and reaching USD 54.27 billion
by year end. More than 450 entities, includ-
ing governments, private sector entities,
international organizations, academia, and
civil society groups, have submitted over
950 commitments through the P2C online
platform. Infrastructure development, nota-
bly, constitutes almost half of P2C commit-
ments to date, involving mobile, satellite,
and broadband technologies, as well as
artificial intelligence (AI).
Strategic investments and impact
P2C pledges represent concrete regularly report how implementation of projects. Private-sector companies,
commitments covering a wide range their pledges is progressing. Aggregated including major tech companies and
of projects, policies and programmes data and key indicators about progress are telecom operators, have pledged to invest
aimed at increasing digital access and publicly available through the P2C online at scale, pursue innovative solutions, and
usage for all. P2C pledges typically platform. form strategic partnerships to connect the
strive to create societal value by building Success stories last one-third of humanity and advance
digital ecosystems where innovation and Many pledges have already translated into sustainable digital transformation for all.
entrepreneurship can flourish, as well as tangible progress, both in connecting the Civil society organizations, for their part,
by identifying ground-breaking investment unconnected and in empowering individuals have pledged on-the-ground support to
models for financing meaningful global with the tools and skills needed to thrive ensure connectivity initiatives are inclusive
connectivity. More than USD 17 billion in in the digital age. In Africa, for example, and reach even the most marginalized
pledges were submitted in 2024, of which new broadband networks are helping populations.
97 per cent are dedicated to improving connect rural schools, while connectivity The road ahead
people’s access and the affordability of in healthcare centres is improving access The journey towards universal and mean-
connectivity. Other pledges address digital to education and medical services for ingful connectivity is far from over. Con-
skills, inclusive policies and regulations, and remote and underserved communities. necting everyone, everywhere will take
digital innovation and entrepreneurship. In Asia, digital literacy programmes are continued investment, innovation, and
All pledges are publicly accessible via the empowering women and youth to launch cooperation, along with steady implemen-
P2C pledging portal. Partner2Connect online businesses. In Latin America, tation. Partner2Connect aims to demon-
serves as an open and impartial platform investments in digital infrastructure are strate what leadership, resources, and
for mobilizing resources and partnerships facilitating e-government services, making inclusive collaboration can do. ITU hopes
and enhancing collaboration to bridge the it easier for citizens to access public this multi-stakeholder model will catalyze
digital divide. It also enables cooperation services online. These examples and further action. Ultimately, the coalition rep-
across the public and private sectors others illustrate the transformative power resents a shared commitment to open op-
through meetings at the country, regional of digital connectivity. Governments around portunities, create a fully connected world,
and global levels. Importantly, the P2C the world have committed significant public and build a digital future for all.
online platform enables pledgers to funds to support digital infrastructure

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