Virtual ITU event "The Road to Addis Ababa: the formation of the agenda in the field of Digital Development in 2021" was held November 9, 2020 using the Zoom platform.

Opened the above meeting and welcomed the event Moderator David Kirkpatrick, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Techonomy Media.

The event was attended by representatives of regional and international telecommunication organizations.

Opening remarks were made by ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau Doreen Bogdan-Martin and Dr. Ahmedin Mohammed Minister of State, Ministry of Innovation and Technology of Ethiopia.

In their interventions, they emphasized that this ITU event will officially begin the countdown of WTDC-21 and the Road to Addis series, and will present the role of WTDC in promoting connectivity for all.

The Road to Addis will provide momentum for WTDC, strengthen partnerships and synergies, and help shape the WTDC agenda with key stakeholders.

The meeting consisted of an official opening with keynote speeches from high-level representatives of ITU and Ethiopia, in addition to this, the UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Digital Cooperation, key UN multilateral partners / partners such as representatives of UNICEF, UNDP, structures UN Women and Elected Business Leaders.

The agenda of the above meeting included the following issues:

Part One: WTDC-21: Start of the Road to Addis series:

Part Two: Youth Talks:

Part Three: Generation Connect:

Part Four: A Visionary Approach: The Impact of the 2021 Digital Development Conference:

At the closing of the “Road to Addis Ababa” event, Moderator David Kirkpatrick thanked all the participants of the meeting for their constructive and fruitful work, and also thanked the observing participants for their participation in this meeting.