Doreen Bogdan-Martin elected as ITU Director of Telecommunications Development Bureau
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a United Nations agency dedicated to information and communications technology standardization, this week elected its leadership at the 20th Plenipotentiary Conference in Dubai. Of note is the election of the U.S.’s Doreen Bogdan-Martin to the role of director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau, the first time a female has held a top leadership position.
Bogdan-Martin has been with ITU since 1994 and previously worked for the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
NTIA Chief David Redl, writing in The Hill, said Bogdan-Martin “plans to increase global connectivity, strengthen partnerships, improve resource mobilization, and encourage digital inclusion and skill development. Drawing upon her proven track record as a strategic leader with the ability to build teams and programs around a common vision, she will deliver high quality, relevant and practical solutions for all ITU members.”
Ajit Pai, chairman of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, was on hand in Dubai for the conference and said in a statement that Bogdan-Martin “has deep expertise in development issues and will play a pivotal role in accelerating the spread of digital communications throughout the globe.” In addition to the historic elevation of a female to a key role, Pai also noted she’s “the first elected official from the Americas region since 2002.”
Vice President Mike Pence, writing on Twitter, said he spoke to Bogdan-Martin after the vote and, “Her leadership will make sure new information technologies benefit all people and nations.”
Rounding out the leadership roles are:
- Houlin Zhao who will continue to serve as ITU Secretary-General.
- Malcolm Johnson will serve as ITU Deputy Secretary-General.
- Chaesub Lee of Republic of Korea was re-elected as Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Standardization Bureau.
- And Mario Maniewicz was elected Director of ITU’s Radiocommunication Bureau.
