Huawei has announced that 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.
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye