ITU Appoints Dr. Umar Saif to Digital Innovation Board for Global Development

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has named Dr. Umar Saif as a member of the Digital Innovation Board within the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance for Digital Development.

Dr. Umar Saif currently serves as Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Information Technology & Telecommunication.

The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance for Digital Development aims to bridge the global digital innovation gap and assist ITU members in creating a fair digital future.

Dr. Umar Saif joins 17 other distinguished individuals, nominated based on their innovation track record, to provide strategic guidance for the alliance’s goals.

The Digital Innovation Board will offer expertise and advocacy for building critical local enablers, fostering innovation, and promoting entrepreneurship in digital development for a more inclusive and equitable digital future.

As the Alliance accelerates innovation capacity globally, the Board will lead discussions on fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in digital development with UN agencies, governments, and the private sector.

The Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT), Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, and another Co-Chair will lead the Digital Innovation Board.

The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance for Digital Development, initiated by the BDT Director, will build local enablers to navigate the evolving digital landscape and enhance organizational capabilities.

The ITU, founded in 1865, is the UN specialized agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs), working to improve ICT access globally.

ITU Board Members Link: ITU Innovation Alliance Board Members

List of Board Members and Their Countries:

1. H.E. Dr. Umar Saif – Federal Minister for Information Technology & Telecommunication (MoITT), Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
2. H.E. Ms. Enkelejda Muçaj – Albania Deputy Minister, Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy.
3. H.E. Mr. Mohamed bin Thamir Al Kaabi – Bahrain Minister, Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications.
4. Mr. Nestor Rios Rivero – Bolivia National Executive Director, Regulatory Authority for Telecommunications and Transportation (ATT).
5. Mr. Carlos Baigorri – Brazil President, National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel).
6. Dr. Li Tian – China Head of Standards Strategy of ZTE & Vice-President of China Association for Standardization, ZTE Corporation.
7. Mr. Bocar Ba – Cross-regional CEO, SAMENA Telecommunications Council.
8. Mr. Eng. Hossam El-Gamal – Egypt Executive President, National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA).
9. H.E. Ms. Laurence Ndong – Gabon Minister & Government Spokesperson, Ministry of Communication and Media.
10. H.E. Dr. Neeraj Mittal – India Secretary of the Department of Telecommunications (Vice-Minister), Ministry of Communications.
11. H.E. Mr. Hiroshi Yoshida – Japan Vice-Minister, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.
12. H.E. Mr. Eliud O. Owalo – Kenya Cabinet Secretary (Minister), Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy.
13. Mr. Daud Suleman – Malawi Director-General, Malawi Communication Regulatory Authority.
14. H.E. Mr. Bosun Tijani – Nigeria Minister, Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy.
15. H.E. Mr. Mondli Gungubele – South Africa Minister, Ministry of Communications and Digital Technologies.
16. Dr. Jabiri Kuwe Bakari – Tanzania Director-General, Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority.
17. Mr. Bernardo Mariano Jr. – UN Assistant Secretary-General, United Nations Office of Information and Communications Technology (OICT).
18. Dr. Gift Kallisto Machengete – Zimbabwe Director-General, Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe.

Reported By: Muhammad Hanif Gul