At the opening of the ITU’s 2026 Plenipotentiary Conference in Doha on Nov. 9, Secretary‑General Doreen Bogdan‑Martin called for stronger international cooperation to bridge the digital divide and ensure resilient communication networks.
The conference, themed "Together for a connected digital future," will run through Nov. 27, during which delegates will elect new leadership and approve the union’s strategic and financial plans for the next four years.
Bogdan‑Martin warned that countries are entering the next phase of digital transformation from vastly different starting points, stressing 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.
She urged delegates to address 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.
During the conference, new leadership will be elected, and the ITU will chart a four‑year strategic plan aimed at fostering a more connected digital future for member states.
The only uncertainties explicitly noted by Bogdan‑Martin concern whether the international cooperation she calls for will translate into tangible progress in narrowing the digital divide, given the rapid pace at which emerging technologies move faster than institutions can adapt.
