Applications for the fellowship will open next year, and the programme is slated to run for a duration of three years.
Huawei has successfully connected 90m individuals in remote areas spanning nearly 80 countries. This accomplishment follows Huawei’s commitment to the International Telecommunication Union‘s (ITU) Partner2Connect (P2C) Digital Coalition, as detailed in the company’s first progress report since joining the Coalition last year.
Dr Liang Hua, Chairman of the Board of Huawei, disclosed this achievement during the 2023 Sustainability Forum themed “Thriving Together with Tech: Realising Sustainable Development.” The forum featured key figures such as Doreen Bogdan-Martin, the Secretary-General of ITU; Jeffrey Sachs, President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network; and representatives from telecommunications ministries and regulators, including Pakistan and Ghana. Discussions centred around the role of digital infrastructure in propelling sustainable development and fostering a more environmentally friendly and inclusive intelligent world.
Dr Liang said: “Next-generation digital infrastructure, like connectivity and computing power, are as vital to driving socio-economic development as our physical infrastructure, just like roads. This new infrastructure will be crucial to sustainable development for all of society. Computing is a core driver of productivity in the digital economy. Faster rollout of computing infrastructure will help speed up digital transition in many industries, and promote deeper integration of the digital and real economies. This can further promote global economic stability and sustainable development.”
Doreen Bogdan-Martin added: “Let’s not choose between tech and sustainable development. We need both! Let’s thrive together with tech. Let’s build a digital future that advances progress for people and the planet.”
Recognising the importance of nurturing digital talent for future innovation, Huawei expanded its partnership with ITU by launching the “ITU Generation Connect Young Leadership Programme in Partnership with Huawei.” This three-year fellowship, open for applications next year, will support 30 young visionaries (aged 18-28) annually in leveraging digital technology for community development projects.
Jeff Wang, President of Huawei’s Public Affairs and Communications Department, noted: “Huawei is proud to partner with ITU for this important cause, and to see young visionaries making a tangible impact for digital inclusion all across the world. The support that participants will receive includes financial contributions to their projects, mentoring from ITU and Huawei experts, and opportunities to participate in joint events.”
Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau, stated: “Through ITU and Huawei’s joint efforts, young people will learn, contribute and lead in the digital world. Digital is a prerequisite for accelerating the achievement of the SDGs. We want youth to push the envelope on the evolving global digital ecosystem and make their transformative contributions. I thank Huawei for this great partnership, and I look forward to seeing the global impact of this innovative project.”
The Partner2Connect (P2C) Coalition, initiated by ITU, continues to drive meaningful connectivity and digital transformation on a global scale, with a focus on underserved communities lacking digital access. Huawei, having signed the commitment last year, aims to connect approximately 120m people in remote areas across over 80 countries by 2025. Notably, the company has already provided 2,066 training opportunities in Cambodia, the ITU’s first P2C partner country, in collaboration with local ministries and universities.
