Huawei has announced that it has already brought connectivity to 90 million people in remote areas in nearly 80 countries following its commitment to the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) Digital Coalition Partner2Connect (P2C).
The announcement was made as part of Huawei’s first progress report since joining the Coalition last year.
Dr. Liang Hua, Chairman of Huawei’s Board of Directors, made the announcement at the company’s 2023 Sustainability Forum, which is themed “Thrive with Technology: Realizing Sustainable Development.”
The event was also attended by Doreen Bogdan-Martin, the Secretary General of the ITU. Jeffrey Sachs, Chair of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and Commissioner of the UN Broadband Commission for Development. as well as representatives of telecommunications ministries and regulatory authorities, including some from Pakistan and Ghana. Attendees explored how digital infrastructure can better drive sustainable development and help create a greener and more inclusive smart world.
“Next-generation digital infrastructure, such as connectivity and computing power, is as vital to driving socio-economic development as our physical infrastructure, such as roads. This new infrastructure will be vital to sustainable development for all society,” said Dr. . “Computers are the key driver of productivity in the digital economy. Faster development of computing infrastructure will help accelerate the digital transition in many industries and promote deeper integration of the digital and real economy. This can further promote global economic stability and sustainable development.”
Adding further to the comment of Dr. Liang, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, ITU Secretary General, said: “Let’s not choose between technology and sustainable development. We need both! Let’s thrive together with technology. Let’s build a digital future that promotes progress for people and the planet”.
Huawei firmly believes digital talent is the key to future technological innovation. To promote more widespread digital engagement and develop future leaders, the company has deepened its partnership with ITU by launching a scholarship called the “ITU Generation Connect Young Leadership Program in Partnership with Huawei.”
The scholarship will be open for applications early next year and will last for three years. Each year, 30 young visionaries (aged 18-28) from around the world will receive support in their plans to use digital technology for community development.
Jeff Wang, President of Huawei’s Public Affairs and Communications Department, noted: “Huawei is proud to partner with the ITU on this important cause and to see young visionaries making a tangible impact on digital inclusion around the world. The support that participants will receive includes financial contributions to their projects, guidance from ITU and Huawei experts and opportunities to participate in joint events.โ
“Through the joint efforts of ITU and Huawei, young people will learn, contribute and lead in the digital world,” said Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of the ITU Telecommunications Development Office. “Digital is a prerequisite for accelerating the achievement of the SDGs. We want young people to push the envelope in the evolving global digital ecosystem and make their transformative contribution. I thank Huawei for this great partnership and I look forward to seeing the global impact of this the innovative work”.
The P2C Coalition, launched by the ITU, promotes significant connectivity and digital transformation worldwide, prioritizing remote communities in countries and regions without digital access. Huawei signed the global pledge last year, setting goals to bring connectivity to about 120 million people in remote areas in more than 80 countries by 2025. So far, Huawei has provided 2,066 training opportunities in ITU’s first P2C partner country, Cambodia. in collaboration with local ministries and universities.