CTO news

The Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation’s (CTO) 125^th Anniversary journey towards a digitally inclusive and connected Commonwealth began yesterday with the official webinar launch of the Commonwealth Digital Roadshow.

Held in two sessions, at 10:30 BST and 21:00 BST on the Zoom platform, the launch brought together representatives from CTO member and non-member countries, alongside public and private sector and civil society organisations committed to advancing digital transformation.

The Commonwealth Digital Roadshow, beginning in the CTO’s 125^th Anniversary year 2026,  is a landmark initiative, designed to accelerate digital progress across the Commonwealth. Through immersive demonstrations, expert-led sessions, and country-specific activities, the programme will educate, inspire, and empower national communities to embrace digital technologies and innovation. Each Roadshow is tailored to the host country, ensuring relevance, inclusivity, and long-term impact while fostering vital partnerships for sustainable development.

In her opening remarks, CTO Secretary-General, Bernadette Lewis, declared: “Digital technologies belong to everyone, and the Commonwealth Digital Roadshow is more than a campaign, it’s a people-centred movement, a surge of momentum set to transport our nations into a future defined by innovation, inclusivity, and technology-enabled sustainable development.”

Delivering the keynote address, Her Excellency Shirley Botchwey, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Secretariat, affirmed the transformative role of digital technologies: “They are shaping how we learn, govern, trade and connect. They bring immense opportunity for prosperity and inclusion, but also the risk of exclusion and inequality if we leave people behind. That is why the Roadshow is so important. It will bring together governments, innovators, businesses and citizens across the Commonwealth.”

The event also marked a major announcement: the first destination of the Roadshow will be Vanuatu. Welcoming this news, the Prime Minister of Vanuatu, Honourable Jotham Napat, who also serves as Minister responsible for ICT, expressed gratitude to the CTO for choosing the islands as the starting point. He remarked: “The Roadshow is more than a promotional campaign, it is a catalyst for change to strengthen a more resilient population.” He further called on private sector partners to join in shaping Vanuatu’s digital future.

The webinar concluded with an engaging Q&A session, during which Secretary-General Lewis addressed questions from both member states and private sector stakeholders, reinforcing the CTO’s commitment to inclusive dialogue and collaboration.

The launch set the stage for a transformative journey—one that promises to drive innovation, bridge digital divides, and empower Commonwealth citizens in the digital age.

Opening Remarks by the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation Secretary General Bernadette Lewis.