Huawei unveils joint fellowship with ITU to advance digital Inclusion

Chinese multinational technology corporation Huawei says it has brought connectivity to 90 million people in remote areas of nearly 80 countries as part of its “Partner2Connect” (P2C) pledge in support of meaningful connectivity and digital transformation for all.

The P2C Digital Coalition, launched by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), mobilizes commitments across the industry, prioritizing remote communities in countries and regions that lack digital access.

Huawei Chairman Dr Liang Hua announced the company’s P2C pledge progress at the company’s 2023 Sustainability Forum in Dongguan, China.

Fostering young digital leaders

At the same “Thriving Together with Tech: Realizing Sustainable Development” session on 21 November, the event also brought together Doreen Bogdan-Martin, the Secretary-General of ITU; Jeffrey Sachs, President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and Commissioner of the UN Broadband Commission for Development; as well as representatives from telecommunications ministries and regulators, including some from Pakistan and Ghana.

Attendees explored how digital infrastructure can better drive sustainable development and help build a greener and more inclusive, intelligent world.

Dr. Liang said Next-generation digital infrastructure, like connectivity and computing power, are as vital to driving socio-economic development as our physical infrastructure, just like roads. This new infrastructure will be crucial to sustainable development for all of society.

According to him, “Computing is a core driver of productivity in the digital economy. Faster rollout of computing infrastructure will help speed up digital transition in many industries, and promote deeper integration of the digital and real economies. This can further promote global economic stability and sustainable development,”

The ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin said “Let’s not choose between tech and sustainable development. We need both. Let’s thrive together with tech. Let’s build a digital future that advances progress for people and planet.”

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The Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau, Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava explained that through ITU and Huawei’s joint efforts, young people will learn, contribute and lead in the digital world.

“Digital is a prerequisite for accelerating the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. We want youth to push the envelope on the evolving global digital ecosystem and make transformative contributions. I thank Huawei for this great partnership, and I look forward to seeing the global impact of this innovative project” Zavazava said .

The ITU Generation Connect Young Leadership Programme in Partnership with Huawei will be open to applications from all regions of the world for three years.

Each year, the company says, 30 young visionaries aged 18–28 will win a place in a 12-month leadership project supported by Huawei and ITU.

Huawei signed the global commitment 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 the ITU’s first P2C partner country Cambodia, in collaboration with local ministries and universities.

Huawei signed its global P2C commitment last year, setting goals to bring connectivity to about 120 million people in remote areas in more than 80 countries by 2025.

Since then, the company has worked with government departments and universities in Cambodia to train over 2,000 information and communication technology (ICT) professionals, with plans to train at least 10,000 in five years.

In another P2C-related initiative, the company notes how extending connectivity to remote villages in Ghana has enabled live-stream marketing, smart tourism, and farming that have boosted local economic growth and employment.