The Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), represented by Secretary General Rodney Taylor, and the Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI), represented by Executive Director Sonia Jorge, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Wednesday 5th May 2021.
The signing marks their commitment to coordinate efforts and promote joint activities with the goal of expanding meaningful and affordable Internet access through policy and regulatory reform.
The scope of this collaboration will include hosting presentations, seminars and hands-on workshops to support government officials to modernise their policy frameworks to achieve universal affordable and meaningful connectivity in the Caribbean region, leaving no one behind. This will assist them to design or upgrade national ICT policy and regulatory instruments and frameworks; and undertake joint research activities (including data collection, surveys, development of case studies, etc.) to increase research outputs and their usefulness for the Caribbean countries.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Taylor expressed his enthusiasm to collaborate with A4AI as both organisations share a similar vision.
“During the pandemic, as more activities are being conducted online, many Caribbean citizens still lack the quality of Internet access needed to attend online school, work remotely or facilitate e-commerce services. The synergies established between both organisations will accelerate our steps towards achieving our goal to make Internet access more affordable.” Rodney Taylor, Secretary General, CTU.
Ms. Sonia Jorge said, “cooperation is key to advance digital equality, and we see this important partnership as a critical step in that direction. We will work to challenge and support each other on the path to secure affordable and meaningful connectivity to everyone in the Caribbean, including women, rural, poor and marginalized populations. I ask you all to keep us accountable, so we can collectively work to secure affordable access to citizens in the Caribbean.”
The CTU is an inter-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting and supporting the development of the Caribbean ICT sector for the socio-economic development of the region.
A4AI is a global coalition that brings together businesses, governments, and civil society actors from across the globe to deliver the policies needed to reduce the cost to connect and make universal, affordable Internet access a reality for all.
Tweets around the globe:
Delighted to sign the #MOU between @A4A_Internet and the @TheCtunion to coordinate efforts with the goal of expanding meaningful and affordable Internet access. pic.twitter.com/TSTkpiAAbi
— CTU Secretary General (@CTUSecGen) May 5, 2021
We are proud to announce the signing of a MOU between the @TheCtunion and A4AI. This signing marks our joint commitment to expanding meaningful and affordable internet access in the Caribbean. pic.twitter.com/ex7lZ6nsIa
— A4AI (@A4A_Internet) May 5, 2021
