Zimbabwe vies for top UN position
THE country’s Information Communication Technology sector could reap huge rewards should Zimbabwe’s candidate for the post of Telecommunications Development Bureau (BDT) director at the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Dr Cosmas Zavazava, clinch the powerful position.
Elections for the post will be held at the forthcoming ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in Romania between September 26 and October 14.
The ITU is a specialised organisation of the United Nations (UN) responsible for all matters related to information and communication technologies.
The BDT is the development arm of the ITU, which facilitates projects in third world countries, small islands and other underdeveloped areas.
Postal and Telecommunication Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) director general Dr Gift Kallisto Machengete, who chairs Dr Zavazava campaign team said: “In this case, the world at large, the developing world and Zimbabwe in particular are poised to benefit in their digitalisation agendas.
“The digital divide between the developed and developing world can only be bridged by someone who has distinguished himself in this area like Dr Zavazava.”
The campaign team also comprises the acting permanent secretary in the Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, Dr Beullah Chirume, and Zimbabwe’s representative to the Permanent Mission in Geneva, Ambassador, Stuart Comberbach.
Zimbabwe’s Campaign for the position of ITU director BDT was officially launched on Friday at the ongoing ITU Council Session in Geneva, Switzerland, by the Deputy Minister of ICT Dr Dingimuzi Phuti who is leading the Zimbabwe delegation at the event.
Announcing the country’s candidature to members of the ITU Council and other delegates attending the meeting, Dr Phuti requested support for Dr Zavazava’s candidacy.
Dr Phuti also expressed the country’s commitment to continue working with the ITU.
He said Dr Zavazava has a passion for development through ICTs and was a person of unquestionable integrity, which is why Zimbabwe deployed him to contest.
Presenting his manifesto, which was well received by delegates, Dr Zavazava said he was contesting the elections to work towards closing the digital and skills divide and to accelerate digital transformation.
He said his vision was built around three key pillars that serve as drivers to sustainable development which are investment in infrastructure, innovation and inclusiveness.
Dr Zavazava is currently the chief of department, Partnerships for Digital Development in the BDT responsible for strategic partnerships, engagement with industry and private sector, resource mobilisation and projects implementation.
He also spent many years working as chief of department for projects and knowledge management in the Telecommunication Development Bureau.
Prior to joining ITU, Dr Zavazava served as head of the Government’s telecommunication agency. He also served as a senior diplomat.
He has over 30 years’ experience in the telecommunications sector and qualifications in telecommunications, business management, law, and international relations.
He also holds a doctorate in multilateral trade.