Thursday, November 20, marked a pivotal moment at the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-25), organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), as the theme of inclusion moved to the forefront of deliberations.

The morning opened with a dedicated session of the Network of Women in ITU-D—an official forum for female delegates to exchange perspectives on advancing women’s participation in digital development. Its prominent place in the agenda reflects the ITU’s growing commitment to embedding gender equity across its policy frameworks. Strategic work continued throughout the day with focused sessions of COM-4 (Working Methods) and WG-PL, the group tasked with finalizing the forthcoming Baku Declaration and the 2026–2029 Strategic Plan.

Both bodies, integral to the conference’s formal structure, advanced proposals to streamline ITU-D’s internal procedures and define long-term commitments for the coming cycle. In the afternoon, COM-3 took the lead, deepening its review of proposed objectives and resolutions—particularly those addressing universal access, digital capacity-building, and technological innovation. Diplomatic engagement also shaped the day’s rhythm, with official luncheons hosted by Thailand and the Russian Federation, in line with the conference’s social program.

Later, a networking session brought together representatives from ICANN and ISOC, reinforcing dialogue between the ITU and key internet governance stakeholders. The previous day, Wednesday, November 19, had begun with a breakfast for heads of delegation, followed by a high-level dialogue focused on Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

This segment, formally embedded in the agenda, provided a platform for these often-overlooked nations to articulate their specific priorities—many of them disproportionately affected by the digital divide. WG-PL had then resumed its strategic orientation work, while COM-4 launched structured discussions on modernizing ITU-D’s internal processes. In parallel, COM-3 continued refining draft resolutions, steadily progressing toward a consolidated Action Plan.

On the diplomatic front, Zimbabwe and Malaysia hosted official luncheons, further strengthening multilateral dialogue. Taken together, these two days have marked a significant step forward in shaping the Baku Declaration and the 2026–2029 Strategic Plan.

From advancing gender inclusion and addressing the needs of the most vulnerable nations, to reforming institutional methods and finalizing strategic objectives, the conference is laying the political and technical groundwork for a more inclusive and resilient digital future under ITU-D’s leadership.