Giga Connectivity Centre Unveils in Geneva, Driving Global School Internet Access. Photo: ITU

Giga Connectivity Centre Unveils in Geneva, Driving Global School Internet Access

The Giga Connectivity Centre will host the Giga Connectivity Forum 2025 from July 8 to 10. 

Geneva, Switzerland – June 25, 2025 – Giga, the joint initiative by ITU and UNICEF, officially inaugurated its Giga Connectivity Centre in Geneva, Switzerland. This new facility, located within Campus Biotech, marks a significant step towards achieving the ambitious goal of connecting every school to the Internet by 2030.

The centre is envisioned as a global hub for collaboration and innovation, bringing together governments, the private sector, international organizations, and other key stakeholders. Its establishment in Geneva aims to leverage the country’s vibrant tech community and the city’s renowned expertise in diplomacy and international development. The overarching mission is to ensure no child is left behind in the digital age.

ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin emphasized the centre’s importance, stating, “Connectivity is opportunity – it’s about giving every child, everywhere, access to the tools they need to learn, grow, and thrive”. She added that with partner support and the energy of International Geneva, the centre can help achieve the vision of global school Internet access. 

Thomas Davin, Global Director of the UNICEF Office of Innovation, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Every child in every school should have access to the Internet and the information and opportunity it provides”. He described the Giga Connectivity Centre as the “global capital of school connectivity,” where this ambition will become a reality.

The Giga Connectivity Centre will serve as the focal point for Giga’s support to countries. Its core functions include:

• Aiding governments in procurement and mobilization of finances specifically for school connectivity projects.
• Hosting the Giga Learning Hub, which delivers specialized training through the ITU Academy. This training covers critical areas such as school mapping, infrastructure modelling, innovative financing, procurement for connectivity, and effective project management.

This Geneva centre works in conjunction with the Giga Technology Centre located in Barcelona, Spain. The Barcelona hub focuses on the development of cutting-edge open-source solutions designed to facilitate school connections.

Looking ahead, the Giga Connectivity Centre will host the Giga Connectivity Forum 2025 from July 8 to 10. This forum is set to gather government officials, regulators, development organizations, and high-level experts from 44 countries and territories. The event will serve as a platform to present Giga’s progress and latest initiatives, discuss challenges governments face, and exchange practical lessons to accelerate school connectivity worldwide.