GSLDC Attends Exclusive Bilateral Meeting with ITU Deputy Secretary-General

Geneva – 6 July 2026 – The Global SDGs and Leadership Development Center (GSLDC) convened an exclusive bilateral meeting with Mr. Tomas Lamanauskas, Deputy Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), at the ITU Under-Secretary-General Office. The high‑level engagement brought together the GSLDC delegation and senior ITU officials to address critical intersections of digital transformation, climate action, and global governance.

The discussions centred on three interconnected priority areas. First, digital infrastructure standards for carbon markets, where both sides explored the need for harmonised technical frameworks that can support transparent, interoperable, and verifiable carbon credit transactions across borders. Second, connectivity support for real‑time Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems, recognising that robust, low‑latency networks are essential to enable accurate emissions tracking, enhance climate accountability, and build trust in environmental data. Third, the meeting addressed concrete follow‑up actions emerging from the WSIS+20 review process, with a shared commitment to leverage digital technologies as enablers of the 2030 Agenda, particularly in bridging connectivity gaps and fostering inclusive digital economies in developing regions.

Throughout the dialogue, GSLDC reaffirmed its role as a bridge between capacity‑building and practical implementation, facilitating multi‑stakeholder collaboration across policy, technology, and finance. The meeting underscored the importance of aligning ITU’s standardisation work with on‑the‑ground project needs, especially in smart city and digital governance domains where GSLDC maintains active programmes.

Both parties agreed to sustain dialogue and explore joint initiatives in the coming months, with further outcomes expected to be announced as cooperation deepens. This engagement reflects GSLDC’s continued commitment to strengthening partnerships with UN agencies and translating policy discussions into actionable solutions for sustainable development worldwide.

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