Skip to content
News Releases
April 18, 2024

Strengthening Global Connectivity: WBBA and ITU Forge Collaborative Partnership

Image (2)

World Broadband Association and ITU Join Forces to Bridge Digital Divide

On April 16th, 2024, Li Zhengmao, the Chairman of the WBBA Board, visited the headquarters of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and met with Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. This strategic meeting marked a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to bridge the global digital divide and drive sustainable development.

During the meeting, Li Zhengmao provided an overview of WBBA's establishment, its remarkable progress over the past year, and the association's ambitious goals for the future. He emphasized WBBA's unwavering commitment to bridging the global digital divide and contributing to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

Doreen Bogdan-Martin, the ITU Secretary-General, expressed her enthusiasm for the alignment between WBBA's objectives and the Partner2Connect digital alliance commitment initiated by ITU. She highlighted the potential for close collaboration between the two organizations, focusing on increasing investment and construction of broadband infrastructure in underserved regions and working together to promote green and sustainable development.

To further strengthen the partnership, Li Zhengmao proposed three key suggestions:

  1. Inviting WBBA to join ITU as a member, enabling the association to play a significant role in the global digital landscape.
  2. Seeking advice and support from ITU on WBBA's development, fostering a mutually beneficial relationship.
  3. Extending a cordial invitation to the ITU Secretary-General to attend the upcoming WBBA Shanghai Summit.

Doreen Bogdan-Martin welcomed these proposals, recognizing the immense value that WBBA's expertise and network can bring to the table. She expressed her eagerness to collaborate closely with WBBA in the future, leveraging their combined resources and expertise to drive transformative change.

This strategic meeting between WBBA and ITU laid a solid foundation for future cooperative development between the two parties. By aligning their visions and leveraging their respective strengths, WBBA and ITU are poised to make significant strides in bridging the global digital divide, promoting green and sustainable development, and building a more inclusive and prosperous digital future for all.

Discover the benefits of WBBA membership and inquire about joining today by clicking HERE.

Sign Up to Receive News Updates

Key Messages
Key Messages
Recommendations
Recommendations
The Importance of Greater Broadband Investment​
Download White Paper
Martin Creaner
Director General of the World Broadband Association

Martin Creaner is one of the leading strategic thinkers in the global communications industry with a successful career as an executive with Motorola and British Telecom, as well as over a decade as President and CEO of the TM Forum.

Martin currently advises the boards of a number of companies in the communications and high tech industries, ranging from up-and-coming digital economy companies, to market leaders.

Martin has been named among the 25 Most Influential People in Telecom Software by Billing World and has twice been named as one of Global Telecoms Business’ Top 100. Martin holds a Master of Business Administration from Cranfield University, Cranfield School of Management; a Master of Science in Telecommunications from the University of East Anglia; and Bachelor’s degrees in Engineering and Physics from Dublin City University and the University College Dublin, respectively.

Martin is also a recognized thought-leader on digital transformation and the trends of the emerging digital economy. His most recent book “Transforming the Telco” explains the opportunities and challenges that digital transformation presents and outlines how the Telco might navigate this difficult process.

Previous books include “Delivering the Digital Economy”, which outlines the dynamics of the digital economy, and “Frameworx Distilled” & “NGOSS Distilled”, which provide a detailed guidebook to the standards that underpin the Telecom software industry.

Martin was appointed unanimously to the role of Director General by WBBA members.

Martin lives in Cork, Ireland.

Li Zhengmao
Doctor of Engineering, Professor, WBBA Board Chairman

Li Zhengmao, Doctor of Engineering, Professor. He was awarded the title of “Chinese Doctors with Outstanding Contribution” by the Academic Degrees Committee of the State Council & the former State Education Commission, and granted the China Youth Science and Technology Award by the China Association for Science and Technology, and the 2017 Distinguished Industry Leader Award by IEEE; he was inducted into the 2020 IPv6 Internet Hall of Fame and enjoyed special government allowances.

Li served as Vice-Chairman of China Institute of Communications, Vice President of Internet Society of China, Vice-Chairman of the Association of Communications Across the Taiwan Straits, Vice-Chairman of All-China Environment Federation, Board member of GSM Association (GSMA), Board Director of Next Generation Mobile Networks (NGMN) Alliance, Executive Director of Global TD-LTE Initiative (GTI), Vice President of China United Communications Corporation Limited, Vice President of China Mobile Communications Corporation Limited, and President of China Telecommunications Corporation Limited.

Membership Enquiries

[gravityform id="3" title="false"]

Testing New Form