ITU launches Partner2Connect Digital Coalition to bridge the digital divide by 2030

​The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) announced the launch of the Partner2Connect Digital Coalition to foster meaningful connectivity and digital transformation in the world’s hardest-to-connect countries. These include the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing States – groups facing specific development challenges and designated for priority assistance in pursuit of the United Nations-backed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030. The Partner2Connect Digital Coalition aims to create a platform for global leadership to mobilize commitments, resources, and partnerships, and to implement solutions and projects, to drive digital transformation. Coalition actions will focus on four key areas: connecting people everywhere; empowering communities; building digital ecosystems; and incentivizing investments. Each focus area will be supported by a working group. Convened by ITU, the four working groups will meet on a regular basis to discuss issues, define key actions, and make recommendations to advance coalition aims in each focus area. The coalition will work through a pledge and commitment mechanism set to be launched in early 2022. A tracking system will be developed to monitor implementation and report on a regular basis on progress and impact achieved.