World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, 17 May 2025
Dear WBBA Board Members, Members, and Industry Friends,
Today, digital transformation is reshaping our lives, work, and social structures at an unprecedented pace. However, gaps in gender, geography, and economics continue to act as invisible barriers to equal internet access, placing women at a disadvantage amid the wave of digitalization. According to data from the International Telecommunication Union, there are 189 million more men than women using the internet, and women represent less than 30% of the workforce in the tech sector. This reveals that women still face challenges in accessing digital resources and that their participation in digital transformation and the digital economy remains limited. Their full potential has yet to be realized.
Gender equality is not only a fundamental requirement of social justice but also a key factor in accelerating progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Achieving gender equality within the context of digital transformation—by encouraging more women to learn, research, and work in ICT, and by providing them with training, mentorship, and support to enhance digital skills and innovation capabilities—holds immeasurable value for driving social progress and promoting sustainable economic development.
Since it was founded in 2022, the WBBA has upheld the principles of openness, inclusiveness, collaboration, and mutual benefit. We are committed to uniting the global industry chain, enhancing communication, strengthening technical cooperation, and promoting high-quality development in the ICT sector. Our membership includes a wide range of industry stakeholders from elecom operators, equipment vendors, vertical industries through to research institutions, all working together to build a more equitable, inclusive, and efficient ICT ecosystem.
In 2024, we hosted the WBBA Broadband Development Congress (BDC) in Africa, where global insights converged to explore how cloud and broadband technologies can reshape Africa’s digital landscape, bridge the digital and intelligence divides, and contribute to a brighter digital future for the continent. This year, the WBBA BDC will take place in São Paulo, South America, to explore how artificial intelligence can lead the next wave of cloud broadband development and accelerate digital transformation in South American nations. Our aim is to provide greater digital opportunities for women in developing countries, advancing the cause of gender equality.
Recently, the WBBA Advisory Committee held its first online meeting with great success. Two new members, Mr. Boris Koprivnikar and Mr. Brahima Sanou, have made outstanding contributions to promoting global digital inclusion and bridging the digital divide. Under the leadership of Mr. Houlin Zhao, former ITU Secretary-General and current Chairman of the WBBA Advisory Committee, we believe this body will further enhance collaboration between the WBBA association and the industry, drive cloud broadband policy development, and help WBBA realize its goal of building a collaborative and innovative cloud broadband ecosystem for all.
We firmly believe that by strengthening infrastructure, promoting technological innovation, and enhancing industry cooperation, more people, regardless of location or gender, can benefit from the convenience and opportunities brought by digital technologies.
Looking ahead, the World Broadband Association will continue to leverage its strengths and work hand-in-hand with global partners to advance the adoption and application of ICT, promote gender equality in the digital transformation, and contribute our wisdom and efforts to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.