ITU Europe kicks off regional preparations for the World Telecommunication Development Conference 2021

The first Regional Preparatory Meeting (RPM) for the ITU World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-21) was held in Europe virtually from 18–19 January 2021. The meeting was attended by more than 150 participants from over 30 countries to report progress on their preparations for the WTDC-21. The main outcome of the meeting was to gather proposed regional priorities for digital development in Europe to be discussed and considered at the WTDC-21, as well as the launches of Digital Trends in Europe 2021, a Youth Declaration, and a Network of Women. The WTDC-21, which will take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 8–19 November 2021, is expected to develop innovative approaches and new models of collaboration for connectivity and digital solutions in this final Decade of Action to achieve the sustainable development goals. ‘Digital infrastructure development is a crucial precondition for the services to reach the end-users, thus placing meaningful connectivity at the centre of sustainable development. In particular, in times of COVID-19, the digital branch has a lot of potential to support our citizens in overcoming the current uneasy situation in Europe and beyond. Therefore, strengthened collaboration on digital development to reinforce resilience will lead to a better, improved world in the future,’ noted  Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade Deputy Minister and the Chairman of RPM Europe Petr Očko.