In brief
At the opening of the ITU’s 2026 Plenipotentiary Conference in Doha, Secretary‑General Doreen Bogdan‑Martin appealed for stronger collaboration to make communication networks resilient, affordable and trustworthy. She warned that countries are at vastly different stages of digital transformation and urged members to work together to expand connectivity and navigate emerging technologies. The conference, themed "Together for a connected digital future," will elect new leadership and set the ITU’s strategic plan for the next four years.
At the opening of the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) 2026 Plenipotentiary Conference in Doha on Nov. 9, Secretary‑General Doreen Bogdan‑Martin called for stronger international cooperation to bridge the digital divide.
Bogdan‑Martin said countries are entering a new phase of digital transformation from vastly different starting points and stressed that communication networks must remain resilient, reliable and available in times of crisis.
"No country, and no institution, can make those systems resilient, secure, and inclusive on its own," Bogdan‑Martin said.
The Union’s chief urged delegates to close the gap in connectivity, making technology cheaper, more relevant and trustworthy while helping nations navigate rapidly advancing technologies that outpace institutional adaptation.
Under the theme "Together for a connected digital future," the conference runs through Nov. 27. Delegates will elect the union’s leadership and decide on its strategic and financial plans for the next four years.
No other reports have presented an alternative or unconfirmed view of the Secretary‑General’s remarks.
