Good afternoon to you all.

I wish I could be with you to celebrate this milestone anniversary.

To begin, I want to commend ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin, as well as former Secretaries-General Houlin Zhao, and Hamadoun Touré, for your exceptional leadership.

I also take this opportunity to thank my fellow Commissioners, and all partners, for your support and tireless efforts throughout this journey.

It has been a pleasure to be part of this distinguished body, and I look forward to continuing to work together, alongside my co-chair, Carlos Slim.

It has been a joy to lead the Commission together with Carlos, from whom I and all the commissioners have learned a tremendous amount.

Fifteen years ago, we began with the simple conviction that broadband must reach everyone, everywhere, because it is an essential driver of sustainable development.

At the time, connectivity was out of reach for many people, especially in Africa.

Today, broadband powers economies, expands access to knowledge in rural as well as urban areas, and brings communities closer, across continents.

Together, we have lowered the cost of access, increased reach, and opened digital pathways for millions of people.

However, connectivity gaps remain in coverage and usage.

Millions of people remain disconnected, either because networks do not reach them, or because other barriers hold them back.

The evidence shows us that traditional investment models are not enough, if we want to reach low-income users.

Our continent is home to a young and talented population, who need to be given the means and opportunity to use their creativity.

The good news is that we are seeing more and more investment in digital infrastructure, but we can certainly do more.

We have to address affordability, digital skills, local content, and gender gaps with the same urgency we give to infrastructure.

Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence bring both promise and risk, but without deliberate action, these tools could widen gaps instead of closing them.

In Rwanda, we have benefited from strong partnerships, including with ITU, UNESCO, UNDP, Smart Africa, and the African Union, among others.

Bridging the remaining gaps will require innovation in both policy and financing. We need new mechanisms that can scale and adapt quickly.

With just five years to the 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals, time is not on our side.

Above all, we need political resolve. Connectivity is a public good.

The next phase of the Commission’s work must be to accelerate and finish what we have started.

Once again, I thank you.