United Nations agency for digital technologies, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), at the ongoing WSIS Forum 2026 in Geneva, disclosed that its Partner2Connect (P2C) Digital Coalition has surpassed $100 billion in commitments, exceeding a milestone in the global effort to expand global Internet connectivity and bridge the digital divide.

With one-quarter of the world’s population offline, commitments to Partner2Connect directly support the goal of achieving universal, meaningful connectivity, ensuring everyone has access to affordable and reliable Internet and the skills to use it safely and effectively.

ITU Secretary-General, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, said: “Partner2Connect having surpassed its $100 billion goal is a landmark achievement in global efforts towards universal meaningful connectivity. Today is a powerful reminder that every pledge makes a difference to bring everyone on board our shared digital future.”

Since its launch in 2021, Partner2Connect has united governments, industry players, international organisations, development banks, and civil society to support digital inclusion across the globe. Commitments focus on expanding digital infrastructure, strengthening digital skills, fostering innovation, and creating opportunities for hundreds of millions of people.

Pledges announced during the Geneva Digital Week include that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) pledges to implement the Asia-Pacific Digital Highway, aiming to mobilise $20 billion in public and private investments by 2035 to improve digital connectivity for up to 650 million people across the region through expanded cross-border digital infrastructure, regional digital hubs, and improved broadband access.

Boston Consulting Group (BCG) pledges $500 million to deploy AI for social impact, partnering with leading philanthropies and non-profits to unlock and scale development outcomes across education, workforce development, healthcare, and poverty reduction.

ZTE Corporation pledges to invest $450 million over three years (2026-2028) in ecosystem partnership programs, working across the entire industry chain to build an open, collaborative AI value community, lower barriers to intelligent transformation, and enable co-creation of smart solutions worldwide.

While Telkom pledges $6.1 million to establish the Telkom AI Institute, a platform designed to equip South Africans with AI and digital skills, foster innovation, and accelerate inclusive participation in the digital economy, GSMA pledges to advance inclusive AI in Africa through the African AI Language Models project.