In brief
At the opening of the ITU’s 2026 Plenipotentiary Conference in Doha, Secretary‑General Doreen Bogdan‑Martin stressed that countries are at disparate stages of digital transformation and called for stronger international cooperation. She warned that resilient and inclusive communication systems cannot be built by any single country or institution alone, and urged delegates to focus on affordability, trust and crisis readiness as the union shapes its four‑year strategic plan.
In a speech at the opening of the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) 2026 Plenipotentiary Conference in Doha on Monday, Secretary‑General Doreen Bogdan‑Martin called for stronger international cooperation to bridge the digital divide and to ensure resilient communication networks.
Bogdan‑Martin said that while countries are entering the next phase of digital transformation, they are starting from vastly different positions. She emphasized that communication networks must remain resilient, reliable and available in times of crisis, and that none of the world’s ITU members or institutions can achieve these goals alone.
"No country, and no institution, can make those systems resilient, secure, and inclusive on its own," she said, urging delegates to consider how to expand meaningful connectivity, make technology more affordable, relevant and trustworthy, and help countries navigate emerging technologies that are advancing faster than institutions can adapt to.
"No country, and no institution, can make those systems resilient, secure, and inclusive on its own,"
She underlined that the pace of technological advancement is outstripping the ability of existing regulatory and institutional frameworks to keep up, and that joint action is required to address the gaps in infrastructure, capacity and financing that exist across regions.
The conference, which runs through Nov. 27, is themed “Together for a connected digital future.” Delegates will elect the union’s leadership and decide on its strategic and financial plans for the next four years.
In the context of the conference’s agenda, Bogdan‑Martin highlighted the urgency of strengthening global collaboration to build networks that can withstand natural disasters, pandemics and other crises. She noted that resilient communication systems are a prerequisite for safe, secure and inclusive digital services worldwide.
Attendees included government officials, private‑sector representatives and experts, all of whom are expected to shape the ITU’s newly drafted strategic plan. The plan is meant to guide the union’s work in areas such as broadband access, cybersecurity, spectrum management and technology standardisation.
The call for cooperation was framed in light of the uneven progress in digital transformation worldwide, with some countries having advanced infrastructure and digital services and others still lacking basic connectivity. Bogdan‑Martin’s remarks were received as a reminder of the ITU’s global mandate to foster inclusive growth through technology.
As the conference proceeds, delegates will continue to discuss and eventually vote on the leadership elections and the technical programme for the next four-year cycle, setting the direction for international communication policy and practice.
