By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Côte d’Ivoire has called for
a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient digital future, with the country
contributing to global discussions on digital inclusion, women’s empowerment
and the role of emerging technologies at the seventh World Telecommunication/ICT
Policy Forum (WTPF-26).
The forum was held from
September 1 to 4, 2026, in Nassau, Bahamas, under the theme “Accelerating the
construction of an inclusive, sustainable, resilient and innovative digital
future.”
Representing Côte d’Ivoire,
Regina Fleur A. Bessou, Technical Adviser to the Director General of the
Telecommunications and ICT Regulatory Authority (ARTCI) and Chair of the ITU
Development and Regulatory Advisory Group, participated in the forum as part of
the Ivorian delegation.
The event brought together
governments, regulators, private-sector representatives, academia, civil
society and the technical community to develop a shared vision on the policy
priorities shaping the future of digital technology.
Discussions focused on five
major areas: closing digital divides linked to gender, age, skills and
connectivity; advancing the green digital transition; strengthening
telecommunications and ICT resilience; expanding space and satellite
connectivity; and developing stronger innovation ecosystems.
Bessou participated in a
high-level panel on the digital inclusion of women, young people and persons
with disabilities, highlighting the importance of ensuring that vulnerable and
underrepresented groups are able to participate meaningfully in the digital
economy.
She also participated in an
ITU Women’s Network session, where a cooperation agreement on women’s digital
empowerment was signed, reinforcing calls for commitments on inclusion to be
translated into practical actions.
Bessou said sustainable
digital development requires inclusion to be placed at the centre of
policymaking and implementation, particularly as countries expand access to new
technologies and digital services.
Côte d’Ivoire’s
participation at WTPF-26 provided an opportunity to contribute to international
discussions on digital policy while highlighting the country’s commitment to
building technology systems that are accessible, innovative and resilient.
