The United Nations has announced a significant step forward in its efforts to bridge the global digital divide by securing new pledges worth $4.8 billion (€4.4 billion). This brings the funds raised by the UN since 2021 to more than $50 billion. This amount now represents half of the $100 billion target set by theInternational Telecommunications Union (ITU) for 2026.
ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin hailed the breakthrough as a “huge victory for global connectivity”. Based in Geneva, the ITU launched the coalition in 2021 Partner2Connect (P2C) to establish public-private partnerships aimed at connecting the hardest-to-reach populations. “These commitments will enable millions of people to have access to more accessible and affordable digital technologies, thereby promoting socio-economic growth, improved health and other essential aspects of connectivity,” he said. -she commented. According to the ITU, some 2.6 billion people worldwide were still without Internet access in 2023.
Future North American donors
During the World Summit on the Information Society, which is being held from May 27 to 31 in Geneva, notable commitments were announced by the UN body. Thus, the American telecoms giant AT&T has promised an envelope of 3 billion dollars, an increase of a billion compared to its previous commitments. The American company intends to help 25 million people in the United States in the most difficult to connect regions.
For its part, the Canadian government has made a promise of $1.7 billion aimed at supporting artificial intelligence (AI) companies and researchers in Canada and creating a new institute for AI security. Elle International has committed $106 million to improve the quality of life of 20 million women in South Africa through digital platforms, smart solutions, data and intelligence models artificial.
Finally, Microsoft reaffirmed its commitment to supporting projects and prioritizing partnerships to rapidly accelerate how people with disabilities are included and represented in technology systems, designs, and features.