UN’s telecoms agency elects its first woman leader

Member States of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a United Nations agency focused on information and communications technology, have elected Doreen Bogdan-Martin as the body’s next Secretary General. Ms Bogdan-Martin will become the first woman to lead the ITU in its 157-year history when she assumes the role in January 2023.

Ms Bogdan-Martin, a US citizen, received the United States government’s endorsement for her candidacy. Her election to the role of ITU Secretary General has been hailed as an opportunity to promote digital inclusion and accessibility, especially in developing countries.

On 3 October 2022, the ITU also announced the Member States that were elected to the ITU Council for 2023-2026.

Mauritius and Tanzania were elected to join the 13 African states represented on the Council, with Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia and Uganda each being re-elected to their seats. The ITU Council acts as the Union’s main governing body; its members are elected by other member states every four years.

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