On Monday, *International Telecommunication Union* (ITU) Secretary‑General *Doreen Bogdan‑Martin* delivered an opening address at the ITU’s 2026 Plenipotentiary Conference in Doha, calling for a strengthened global partnership to close the digital divide and to ensure that communication networks remain resilient, reliable and available during crises.
The conference, which runs through November 27, adopted the theme "Together for a connected digital future" and will serve as a platform for delegates to elect new officeholders, decide on the union’s strategic agenda, and set its financial plans for the next four years.
*Bogdan‑Martin* emphasized that countries are entering a new phase of digital transformation from very different starting points. She warned that this disparity makes it impossible for any single nation or institution to secure communication systems that are both resilient and inclusive.
"No country, and no institution, can make those systems resilient, secure, and inclusive on its own," she said.
In her remarks, the Secretary‑General urged delegates to address how to expand meaningful connectivity, to make technology more affordable, relevant and trustworthy, and to help countries navigate emerging technologies that are advancing faster than institutions can adapt to.
The call to action focuses on several civic stakes: ensuring that the public, especially in vulnerable communities, has access to reliable communication infrastructure; protecting citizen information and privacy during national crises; and fostering a global public good that reduces inequalities in information and service provision.
As the ITU’s 2026 Plenipotentiary Conference convenes, the dialogue will likely centre on the establishment of policies that guarantee robust and trustworthy networks. These policies will have implications for the regulation of internet access, the affordability of telecommunication services, and the development of standards that underpin digital resilience.
Moreover, the conference will determine the union’s leadership composition for the next four years. Elections held during this event will influence the direction of international cooperation on network resilience, as new directors are tasked with ensuring that the outlets issued by the ITU remain aligned with the needs of a rapidly evolving technology landscape.
Strategic plans set by the ITU will guide the union’s technical work on five‑year objectives, shaping future initiatives that address the challenges of connectivity security, affordability and the integrity of information systems. This planning will directly influence how member countries respond to technology disruptions, cyber threats and other crises that threaten digital infrastructure.
While no new data or metrics appear in the Secretary‑General’s statement, the emphasis on cooperation suggests a unified approach to measuring progress in digital resilience. The effort to expand meaningful connectivity will involve joint efforts and measuring progress across a variety of indicators from accessibility to affordability.
For citizens watching the outcome of this conference, the stakes are clear: only collective action can turn the gap in network resilience and dependable communication into a global standard, thereby ensuring that every country – and all its inhabitants – can participate in the digital era on a level footing.
