The document outlines the goals and accomplishments of the Global Connect initiative, a US-led effort to accelerate international connectivity and make internet access fundamental to development efforts. It discusses two events in April - a working group with 160 experts and a high-level event with government and industry leaders - that focused on prioritizing connectivity, announcing over $20 billion in financial commitments, and agreeing to increase lending. The goals of Global Connect are to help institutions prioritize digital access lending, get countries to prioritize connectivity policies, and ensure expertise is available for capacity building. Next steps include an October stakeholders event and country-specific outreach efforts.

1. Global Connect Accelerating International Connectivity
“It Takes A Network to Build a Network”
Why Prioritize International Connectivity?
• Unlock Talent and Innovation for Economic Development
• Stabilization, Security and Opportunity, Prosperity, Collaboration
April 13 Working Group Event : IEEE, World Bank, State w/help
of WH OSTP convened 160 technical, regulatory, country
experts who (1) surfaced current projects, (2) developed project
regulatory recommendations, (3) best practices, potential action
items in each region (4) kicked off regional working groups
April 14 High Level Event: Secretary Kerry, World Bank President
Kim, State U/S Novelli, Treasury Dep Sec, FCC Chairman w/OSTP
convened finance ministers,
development institutions and
industry to prioritize connectivity,
announce commitments and
discuss concrete ways forward
for Global Connect.
Accomplishments
• Prioritizing Connectivity: 40+ Countries, and major tech industry/
nonprofits/development banks committed to: (1) prioritizing
connectivity in development and plans, (2) fostering an open and
accessible Internet, and (3) implementing dig once/cross-sectoral
policies that create enabling environments of growth.
• Financial Commitments: 65 new/ongoing initiatives valued at more
than $20 billion
• Stakeholders agree to “transformatively increase” lending
• Country Specific Outreach, where requested: Help interested
countries with technical assistance; outreach to MDBs; and identify
public-private partnerships to assist their connectivity plans.
Goals of Global Connect
1. Help financial institutions (i.e. World Bank) prioritize digital
access lending and projects in development strategies
2. Get countries finance ministers and other leaders to prioritize
connectivity and adopt policies that will unlock digital growth,
foster an open/accessible internet. Support countries to commit
to integrating connectivity as a key part of national development
strategies on all topics.
3. Ensure experienced network technical talent to capacity building
local talent for best practices. Develop advanced reference
network designs in collaboration with regional partners
Global Connect is a U.S.-led multi-stakeholder initiative launched by State to make Internet access
fundamental to development efforts and connect at least another 1.5 billion people by 2020.
Next Steps:
• October 5-6 Global Connect Stakeholders Event in
Washington, DC
• Country-Specific Efforts (e.g., Argentina, Tunisia, and
others)
• Develop Plans with Regional Banks to Foster Connectivity