All about Connect2Recover, the ITU Digital Infrastructure Reinforcement for COVID-19 Recovery and Preparedness
Information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure has proven vital in helping countries and consumers adapt and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. ICTs have enabled them to continue working and learning remotely, and to access the latest health information, updates and directives from local and national authorities.
Connect2Recover is a global initiative that aims to reinforce the digital infrastructure and ecosystems of beneficiary countries. In addition, its objective is also to provide means of utilising digital technologies such as telework, e-commerce, remote learning and telemedicine to support the COVID-19 recovery efforts and preparedness for the ‘new normal’ (and potential future pandemics), and, where it is still needed, to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infections while maintaining socio-economic activities.
Connect2Recover seeks to galvanise action for affordable and reliable connectivity as part of COVID-19 recovery strategies. Whereas it heralds the beginning of ITU’s transition from COVID-19 response activities to helping countries to prepare for and adjust to the new circumstances caused by the pandemic, it also reinforces continuity of ITU’s core work and mission, which is to extend connectivity to everyone.
Connect2Recover will initially focus on Africa, the region which is both the least connected and expected to be hit hardest by COVID-19 in socio-economic terms. In addition to ITU’s existing COVID-19 activities and work programmes in Africa, Connect2Recover reinforces the organisation’s long-standing efforts to accelerate digital transformation on the African continent and lays the groundwork for the achievement of long-term development goals.
The key focus of the initial phase of Connect2Recover will be to ensure its further scalability, including through engaging additional partners and donors, and widely sharing the results of the outcomes.
Where appropriate, in particular where partners so request, Connect2Recover could include other activities aligned with its objective.
Connect2Recover will be funded by voluntary contributions. ITU will be engaging other organisations to mobilise additional resources for the initiative and will partner with other organisations and the private sector to amplify its impact.
Partnerships may be formalised through cooperation agreements with accompanying project documents, as well as other mutually acceptable forms, including memoranda of financial contribution.