Esteemed Excellencies, Secretary General and Directors, colleagues,  

On behalf of the United States, it is an honor and a pleasure to be with you. 

We’ve come together today because we all understand that new and emerging technologies can empower people to realize economic opportunity and sustainable development in the 21^st century.  

Yet, as we gather, ITU data shows that 37 percent of the world’s population is not connected to the internet.  Put simply, we cannot allow more than one in three people to be left behind in the digital darkness. 

Discussions like this one can help to bridge this global connectivity gap.  Because when we work together, we multiply our strength across the globe. 

As the draft Opinions we are considering at this Forum lay out, we have a path forward for our collective efforts to spur technological innovation and bring the benefits of broadband connectivity to everyone, everywhere. 

That path is built on a set of core building blocks/guiding principles. 

First, government should promote competitive markets that encourage private investment and enable innovative business models.  

Second, in places where it doesn’t make economic sense for private companies to build networks, it is appropriate for government to help fill the gaps.  Targeted policies like public-private partnerships are an effective way to spur investment. 

Third, technology should not just be available, it should be accessible.  We should invest in greater education and training to build digital literacy and reduce digital divides, including the gender digital divide.  

Fourth, network security must be a forethought, not an afterthought.  Strong cooperation across all stakeholders is critical to mitigating security challenges and building confidence and security in the use of telecommunication/ICTs. 

Building on that point, the fifth building block/guiding principle is that we can’t seize the opportunities of new and emerging technologies if we don’t address the challenges.  That’s true not just for connectivity, but also issues like inequality and skills.  

Sixth, and finally, we can learn from our experiences and let the lessons of the past guide us in the future.  The COVID-19 pandemic is a great example of what I’m talking about.    

This pandemic has taught us like nothing before that broadband is no longer a nice to have, it’s a need to have, for everyone, everywhere.  This harsh reality is also a moment to seize.  

The attention of the world’s policymakers has never been so focused on the power of new and emerging technologies to connect us to one another. The ITU is well positioned as an organization to support the global community as we face these opportunities and challenges. 

The work of BDT Director Doreen Bogdan-Martin is a great example of what I’m talking about.  She has marshalled technical expertise, expanded public-private partnerships, and mobilized resources towards closing connectivity divides and promoting digital transformation for all.   

Under her leadership, we all look forward to the upcoming World Telecommunication Development Conference and the Partner2Connect initiatives as an opportunity to show the world what is possible when we leverage new and emerging technologies to further economic growth, sustainable development, and human progress.   

Doreen’s leadership and vision is why the United States is excited to nominate her as the next ITU Secretary-General. 

In closing, I wanted to thank the Chair, all of the members of the WTPF Informal Experts Group, its Chairman Mr. Fabio Bigi, as well as Secretary General Zhao and the ITU staff for all of the critical work they have undertaken to get us to where we are today. I am sure it has not always been easy, but by working together we are indeed able to achieve great things. 

Thank you.