By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
Zimbabwe has intensified bid for Dr Cosmas Zavazava as its candidate to become the new ITU Director Telecommunications Development Bureau.
Dr Cosmas Zavazava, is a seasoned ICT sector expert and practitioner currently the Chief, Partnerships for Digital Development Department at the ITU headquartered in Geneva.
Dr Zavazava was endorsed by the African Union (AU) as its candidate for the position of ITU Director Development Bureau at the last Heads of State Summit in Addis Ababa.
Should Dr Zavazava get this post, he will position Zimbabwe and Africa at large to benefit from telecommunication developmental projects implemented by the ITU.
The election of Zimbabwe into the ITU Council will enable the country to push for its positions in terms of telecommunication development in the country and on the continent.
As a member of the ITU Council, Zimbabwe would be in a position to influence the nature of ICT development projects for Africa.
The country would also be positioned to push for the prioritisation of certain projects over others.
Speaking at a reception dinner in Kigali, Rwanda at the ongoing ITU World Telecommunications Development Conference (WTDC), Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Rwanda Professor Charity Manyeruke, said she was confident of Dr Zavazava’s candidature.
Our esteemed delegates as the Government of Zimbabwe we are here tonight to present our astute candidate for the position of Director Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT).
“We are confident that this candidate we present you on Global Telecommunications Development issues. His resume which we will present to you tonight demonstrates his suitability for the post and also that he is fit for the purpose.
“Dr Zavazava is a candidate not just for Zimbabwe, but for SADC, the AU and the whole World,” she said.
She described Dr Zavazava’s candidature as people centered, visionary, as a highly experienced ICT professional who has clear vision for the development Bureau, who provides strategic leadership and gets the job done.
Hon Deputy Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, Hon Dingimuzi Phuti said Dr Zavazava was the best fit for this position.
“I would like to inform you that Dr Zavazava’s candidature is not yet on the ITU website in accordance with ITU rules as he is a serving staff.
“We will soon officially submit his candidature and you will see it on the ITU website.
“Nonetheless your support for his bid to become The Director BDT will be greatly appreciated.
“We are forever indebted as a nation Zimbabwe, as a regional block SADC and as a continent Africa for your support,” he said.
As part of the Campaign activities at WTDC in Kigali, Ambassador Professor Manyeruke, Honourable Phuti, Dr Machengete (POTRAZ Director General) and Dr
Chirume (Permanent Secretary for ICT, Postal and Courier Services) are holding a series of bilateral meetings with delegations of various countries to canvas support for the candidate.
WTDC is the biggest event on the ITU calendar as ICT stakeholders from across the world converge to discuss various issues around telecommunications development.
Dr Zavazava’s aspired post is currently held by America. The incumbent, Doreen Bogdan-Martin will not contest for re-election as she aspires for a higher position of ITU Secretary General (SG)
The Current ITU SG, Houlin Zhao from China is not eligible for re-election as he would have completed the maximum two 4-year terms in an elective position.
The elections for ITU elective positions will be held at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference, which will be held in Romania from 26 September to 14 October 2022.
Ministers of ICT from the various ITU member states or their representatives will vote to elect candidates to various positions at this conference.
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