Rwanda officially presented its candidacy for re-election to the Council of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for the 2027–2030 term at a reception held in Geneva on the sidelines of the ITU Council, bringing together ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Chair of the ITU Council Bosun Tijani, senior UN officials, Member States and partners.

In her welcoming remarks, Ambassador Urujeni Bakuramutsa recalled Rwanda’s service on the ITU Council since 2010, highlighting its consistent advocacy for meaningful connectivity, digital inclusion, and the priorities of developing countries. She emphasized Rwanda’s contributions across key areas of the Union’s work, including spectrum management, digital policy and artificial intelligence, as well as its active engagement in global platforms such as the World Summit on the Information Society and the Broadband Commission.

In her remarks, Doreen Bogdan-Martin highlighted Rwanda’s growing leadership in digital development, noting that “Kigali has become one of Africa’s most dynamic hubs for innovation and digital development,” and commending the country’s role in advancing global initiatives such as the Partner2Connect Digital Coalition, which has mobilized over 1,000 pledges from 149 countries.

She further recognized Rwanda’s efforts in areas including artificial intelligence, space technology and e-waste management, as well as its role in convening the global digital community through major platforms such as the World Telecommunication Development Conference and Mobile World Congress Africa.

The ITU Council, which serves as the Union’s governing body between Plenipotentiary Conferences, plays a central role in shaping global digital policy and overseeing the implementation of ITU programmes. Rwanda’s continued membership reflects its commitment to contributing to global digital governance and advancing inclusive digital transformation.