ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin announced over USD 9 billion in investment commitments from mobile operator groups on February 26, 2024. This significant pledge was made at the Mobile World Congress (MWC).

The investments are dedicated to extending global connectivity, building on the mobile industry's strong support for the ITU's ongoing efforts to connect the world.

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The Regional Forum for Europe “Accessible Europe: ICT 4 ALL” is scheduled to take place in Madrid, Spain on 13-14 December 2023. The Forum is organized by the International Telecommunication

The Regional Forum for Europe “Accessible Europe: ICT 4 ALL” is scheduled to take place in Madrid, Spain on 13-14 December 2023. The Forum is organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the European Commission (EC) and is co-organized by the AccessibleEU Resource Centre. It will be hosted by Fundación ONCE, supported by the Government of Spain and conducted as part of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Each year, Accessible Europe serves as a valuable knowledge and networking platform to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which is celebrated annually on December 3rd. The Forum is organized in response to the ITU Regional Initiative for Europe “EUR 3: Digital inclusion and skills development” and its objectives, defined and adopted by member states during the 2022 World Telecommunication Development Conference, jointly with the Resolution WTDC 58 (Rev. Kigali, 2022) “Telecommunication/information and communication technology accessibility for persons with disabilities and persons with specific needs”. The 2023 edition of the Forum, spanning across two days, will serve as a convergence point, bringing together policymakers, members of civil society, academia representatives and key players from industry. The first day will focus on strengthening knowledge on the ICT accessibility topic as a fundamental requirement to build an inclusive digital society, economy and environment. The day will further delve into the European regulatory landscape, and UN approaches to digital accessibility. It will conclude with a pitching session featuring innovative solutions. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a public vote to recognize the most impactful solutions presented. The second day will begin with a session on the current state and good practices in web accessibility, followed by sessions on universal design, Artificial Intelligence (AI), emerging technologies, and the Metaverse. The forum will provide an unparalleled opportunity for all involved stakeholders to strengthen knowledge, identify partnership opportunities, join forces, share good practices, and establish a strong foundation for future cooperation in advancing digital accessibility. The exchange of ideas and insights at the Forum will be an inspiring step towards an inclusive digital future for ALL, aligning with global commitments and regional priorities. Accessible Europe 2023 is an inclusive platform that welcomes a diverse range of participants, including policymakers, academia representatives, members of civil society, and the general public to engage in meaningful discussions about digital inclusion and accessibility.​ The registration link is available for all interested parties to join in this conversation. Please be aware that the registration deadline for on-site participation is December 10. ​​

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The Regional Forum for Europe “Accessible Europe: ICT 4 ALL” is scheduled to take place in Madrid, Spain on 13-14 December 2023. The Forum is organized by the International Telecommunication

The Regional Forum for Europe “Accessible Europe: ICT 4 ALL” is scheduled to take place in Madrid, Spain on 13-14 December 2023. The Forum is organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the European Commission (EC) and is co-organized by the AccessibleEU Resource Centre. It will be hosted by Fundación ONCE, supported by the Government of Spain and conducted as part of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Each year, Accessible Europe serves as a valuable knowledge and networking platform to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which is celebrated annually on December 3rd. The Forum is organized in response to the ITU Regional Initiative for Europe “EUR 3: Digital inclusion and skills development” and its objectives, defined and adopted by member states during the 2022 World Telecommunication Development Conference, jointly with the Resolution WTDC 58 (Rev. Kigali, 2022) “Telecommunication/information and communication technology accessibility for persons with disabilities and persons with specific needs”. The 2023 edition of the Forum, spanning across two days, will serve as a convergence point, bringing together policymakers, members of civil society, academia representatives and key players from industry. The first day will focus on strengthening knowledge on the ICT accessibility topic as a fundamental requirement to build an inclusive digital society, economy and environment. The day will further delve into the European regulatory landscape, and UN approaches to digital accessibility. It will conclude with a pitching session featuring innovative solutions. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a public vote to recognize the most impactful solutions presented. The second day will begin with a session on the current state and good practices in web accessibility, followed by sessions on universal design, Artificial Intelligence (AI), emerging technologies, and the Metaverse. The forum will provide an unparalleled opportunity for all involved stakeholders to strengthen knowledge, identify partnership opportunities, join forces, share good practices, and establish a strong foundation for future cooperation in advancing digital accessibility. The exchange of ideas and insights at the Forum will be an inspiring step towards an inclusive digital future for ALL, aligning with global commitments and regional priorities. Accessible Europe 2023 is an inclusive platform that welcomes a diverse range of participants, including policymakers, academia representatives, members of civil society, and the general public to engage in meaningful discussions about digital inclusion and accessibility.​ The registration link is available for all interested parties to join in this conversation. Please be aware that the registration deadline for on-site participation is December 10. ​

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SDG Digital, held in New York on September 17, 2023, showcased digital technology solutions for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

His Excellency Bagdat Mussin, Minister

SDG Digital, held in New York on September 17, 2023, showcased digital technology solutions for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

His Excellency Bagdat Mussin, Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of Kazakhstan, presented on SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Omar Al-Assouli, Strategic Policy Advisor at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), discussed SDG 16 (Peace and Strong Institutions).

The event was moderated by Sinead Bovell, Founder of Waye.

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On September 17, 2023, over 75,000 supporters joined us in New York City with a giant monarch butterfly, sending an urgent message to U.S. policymakers ahead of the UN climate summit: end fossil fuel extraction and boldly address the climate emergency. The future of biodiversity and human health depend on this action.

The Center for Biological Diversity is a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to securing a future for all species. We believe human welfare is deeply linked to nature's diversity, and we use science, law, and creative media to protect the lands, waters, and climate essential for survival. For more information, visit our website or contact us at center@biologicaldiversity.org.

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Lichens, a complex symbiosis of fungi and algae, are now recognized as intricate micro-ecosystems. Despite their ecological importance, these diverse organisms are often overlooked. They thrive in varied habitats, from lush forests to the Sonoran Desert, which alone supports over a third of North America's lichen species.

Join lichen expert Dr. Frank Bungartz for a Speaker Series talk exploring what lichens are, where they are found, and their fundamental role in ecosystems. Dr. Bungartz, Collections Manager at ASU's Lichen Herbarium, will share insights from his extensive research on lichen diversity and function in regions like the Sonoran Desert, Galapagos, and Ecuador.

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Companies developing lightweight structural materials seek sustainable alternatives. Strong By Form, a 2022 Ray of Hope Prize participant, offers a solution by applying the natural intelligence of tree structures to engineered wood. Their design-to-manufacturing technology combines digital design, structural optimization, and fabrication to produce lightweight, wood-based composite parts. This innovation replaces high-CO2 materials like concrete and steel across diverse applications.

For instance, their Woodflow-composite slabs can reduce concrete use by 30% and wood by 70% compared to conventional timber-concrete slabs. Strong By Form is also developing optimized wood-based connectors to eliminate metal in frame joints, creating lighter, 100% wood-based, and lower-CO2 structures.

Learn more: Strong By Form, AskNature Innovation, and Biomimicry Institute.

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The Chumash have been a maritime culture for thousands of years, their territory stretching from Malibu to Point Conception and westward to the sandstone cliffs of the Channel Islands, twenty miles

The Chumash have been a maritime culture for thousands of years, their territory stretching from Malibu to Point Conception and westward to the sandstone cliffs of the Channel Islands, twenty miles off the coast of California. To navigate the treacherous currents of the channel for fishing and trading, they built the strong plank canoe tomols for which they are famous. But over centuries of European colonization, which included forced assimilation and enslavement of Chumash people, the craft of tomol building was nearly lost. Today, Alan Salazar works alongside his Chumash and Fernandeño Tataviam communities to pass their knowledge to the next generation of tomol builders and paddlers. Please join us in supporting the Tataviam Land Conservancy’s project to build two tomols, which will bring folks from the Fernandeño Tataviam and Chumash tribes together through educational events and workshops around tomol craft, culture and paddling. Please specify “Tomol Project” in the message box on donation page. https://www.tataviam.land/donation/ Directed by Ben-Alex Dupris Produced by Lisa Remington, Monika McClure Exec Producer Alex Lowther, Damien Etchaubard Edited by Nate Blackmon Music by Minna Choi Cinematography Martina Radwan Additional Cinematography Serena Hodges, Tim Davis Field Sound Recordist Adam Foster Jacobs Associate Producer & Boatman Peter Bruno Field Producer Katy Beal Assistant Editors Anthony Deng, David Aristizabal Image Treatments Alphonse Swinehardt Title Treatment Ben Blanchard Map Barry Thompson DI by Different by Design DI Colorist Luke Cahill DI Editor Misha Aranyshev DI Assistant Mike Werner DI Producers Matt Radecki, Greg Lanesey, Thomas Carmichal Re-Recording Mixer David F. Van Slyke Footage Provided by Michael Hanrahan "Return to Limuw" NOAA "Homecoming: Journey to Limuw" Archival Images Santa Barbara Natural History Museum Museum of Ventura County Black Gold Cooperative Library System The Bancroft Library, Gerald Cassidy pictorial collection Very Special Thanks Alan Salazar & Mona Lewis Chumash Tomol Families Marcus Lopez Matthew Vestuto Special Thanks Tim Davis Jeff McElroy Hannah Rogers Deya Terrafranca Kristina Uvalle Nicholas Zachar For more from Patagonia Films, visit https://www.patagonia.com/films/

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Join Jeff Corwin as he explores climate change impacts, from California's drought-stricken Sierra Nevada and the Caldor Fire's aftermath, where he meets firefighters, to Washington State. There, he highlights conservation efforts for the resourceful American beaver and the endangered Pygmy rabbit.

In Washington, Corwin joins the Tulalip Beaver Project, which humanely relocates beavers from conflict areas. Beavers are vital ecosystem engineers, building dams that increase water storage, filter pollutants, promote biodiversity, and create crucial salmon habitat. Nearly hunted to extinction, these resilient animals are now recovering, with the Tulalip Tribal Community leading successful wildlife management and research efforts.

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Jeff Corwin begins in the historic city of Boston to help aid the recovery of peregrine falcons with Defenders of Wildlife staff. To learn more about the wildlife featured in the episode, visit

Jeff Corwin begins in the historic city of Boston to help aid the recovery of peregrine falcons with Defenders of Wildlife staff. To learn more about the wildlife featured in the episode, visit www.defenders.org/wildlifenation Video Transcript: Jeff Corwin: For today's adventure, we're heading to my home state of Massachusetts and a place called Deer Island in the middle of Boston Harbor.  This island is the location of a state of the art  massive wastewater treatment plant that cleans over 1200 million gallons of wastewater every day. It's also home for a family of peregrine falcons, the fastest animals on earth, capable of  reaching speeds of more than 200 miles an hour.   Jeff Corwin: I'm with Jacob Malcolm. He's the director of Defenders of Wildlife's Center for Conservation Innovation. So basically, you guys are trying to figure out how you integrate technology with policy and environmental stewardship to make it work. Dr. Jacob Malcolm: Yep. It's one of the most exciting parts about my work, is the fact that we get to work on solutions. It's really overlooked often that we do have lots of opportunities to do more for wildlife. Jeff Corwin: The peregrine falcons that live here are a perfect example of this. In the wild, falcons typically build their nests on high cliffs. So to give this species a helping hand in a dense urban environment, the Massachusetts Department of Fisheries and Wildlife have teamed up with the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority to put a special nesting box at the top of this 130 foot tall filtration tank. For a family of peregrine falcons, this is the perfect penthouse. Jeff Corwin: I mean, that's kind of amazing, right? With a little bit of ingenuity and a little bit of environmental  stewardship, you can find that balance where creatures like the ultimate bird of prey can share a habitat that also belongs to human beings. Dr. Jacob Malcolm: The fact that we're here to band some peregrine falcons at a wastewater treatment facility with Boston right there just goes to prove it. Jeff Corwin: Jacob is a wildlife biologist, but you've never banded a peregrine falcon. Dr. Jacob Malcolm: I have not. Jeff Corwin: You ready? Dr. Jacob Malcolm: I'm ready. Jeff Corwin: All right, let's do it. Dr. Jacob Malcolm: Let's do it. Jeff Corwin:  In one of the most successful conservation stories in the history of our country, peregrine falcons were brought back from the brink of extinction, thanks to decades of hard work by dedicated people and organizations. To keep track of this species' recovery, biologists place small identification bands around the legs of every falcon chick they find. Today, we're helping wildlife biologist, Dave Paulson, and his team from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife to band the falcon chicks that live at the top of this tower. Jeff Corwin: But first, we'll need to face some strong winds and some very devoted and determined parents. Dave Paulson: Now, Jeff, be real careful with this. Jeff Corwin: Be real careful. Wow. Jeff Corwin: As soon as we open the door, we see her, a mother peregrine falcon, ready to protect her nest and her offspring at any cost.  As soon as we remove the guardrails and step onto the catwalk... Dave Paulson: She's coming right in for you. Jeff Corwin: She begins to dive bomb our team with incredible speed. Dave Paulson: Coming in hot. She's coming in from below. Come on go right to the box. Jeff Corwin:  This right here is a nesting box for a peregrine falcon. Dave Paulson: She's getting close, getting close, getting close. Jeff Corwin: Above us we have two very, very devoted, I would say slightly aggressive. Dave Paulson: Yep. Jeff Corwin: Peregrine falcons. They're a bonded pair. And this female, she wants us to have nothing to do with her next generation, what for her is the most precious thing in the world. Dave Paulson: I know everyone's focused on her, but if someone wants to keep a peripheral open for or the other one. Dave Paulson: Right up there. Jeff Corwin: We got to be very careful. We're being dive bombed by these parents. And it's a long way down. Dr. Jacob Malcolm: It is. Jeff Corwin: So inside we have... Ah, look at that. We have these. Oh my gosh. Look at this. Look at that. Dr. Jacob Malcolm: It's fantastic. Gigantic eye, sharp beak, great talons. Built for speed and flight. Jeff Corwin: Just take a moment to reflect at what we're doing. We're holding a species that in this part of  the world was extinct for almost 30 years. Today we have 50 pairs successfully surviving and breeding. Dave Paulson: Correct, 50 known pairs here in Massachusetts. And the big thing here is most of these aren't  on natural cliff sites. You're talking buildings, bridges, quarries. They've really take  to the developed landscape really well. We've hit our character limit. Leave us a comment for the rest of the transcript.

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