The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has launched Connect2Recover to help countries recover from Covid-19 by expanding access to affordable and reliable connectivity in some of the least-connected regions.
With the support of Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre of Saudi Arabia, Connect2Recover will initially focus on selected countries in Africa.
Out of the 25 least-connected countries in the world, 21 are in Africa, with nearly 300-million Africans living more than 50 km from a fibre or cable broadband connection, hindering the ability to fully harness the potential of digital transformation.
Established digital infrastructure, essential for fully fledged participation in society and the economy, has helped countries, businesses and consumers adapt and respond to the Covid-19 pandemic, enabling them to access the latest health information and continue working, learning and socialising remotely.
The least-connected countries, however, will likely be hardest hit in socioeconomic terms.
“Covid-19 has demonstrated the vital importance of meaningful connectivity and it has also served as a wake-up call to the global community to renew efforts to connect the 3.6-billion people still offline,” says ITU telecommunication development bureau director Doreen Bogdan-Martin.
The pandemic has affected the global economy, financial markets, trade and global supply chains, says King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre health and environmental assistance director Dr Abdullah Almoallem, noting that Saudi Arabia recognises the devastating impact that is hampering growth and development and reversing the gains accomplished in previous years.
The project aims to improve connectivity by developing resilient broadband networks to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic, especially among African countries, adds Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan State Minister Minoru Terada.
Connect2Recover represents a first step in the journey to recovery and preparedness, continues Bogdan-Martin.
The global initiative aims to reinforce the digital infrastructure and ecosystems of beneficiary countries, providing the means of using digital technologies such as telework, ecommerce, remote learning and telemedicine to support Covid-19 recovery efforts and preparedness for the new normal and potential future pandemics.
Connect2Recover will comprise three key elements, including the development of a methodology for identifying gaps and bottlenecks at country level in the use of digital networks and technologies to respond to and mitigate the consequences of the pandemic.
It will then assist countries in assessing their needs, gaps and bottlenecks and developing strategies in line with global best practices.
Further, Connect2Recover will conceptualise and implement pilot projects to test specific technological solutions.