“Fifteen years of bridging divides and building futures — our journey proves that connectivity is the cornerstone of sustainable development.”
Amir Dossal, President and CEO, Global Partnerships Forum
Contributions to the Commission’s early direction
As a founding member of the Broadband Commission, Amir Dossal has helped shape its work since its creation in 2010. Early on, he worked with other Commissioners from government, industry, and civil society to establish multi-stakeholder forums focused on sharing best practices, aligning strategic goals, and promoting policy dialogue on digital inclusion.
"We were early advocates of an integrated Broadband Strategy within the UN system. In 2010 we encouraged the President of the UN General Assembly that broadband be considered as an integral component of all of the Millennium Development Goals, and not simply a part of Goal 8."
These early efforts helped raise awareness among governments about the role of broadband in development and contributed to national broadband strategies and discussions around regulatory reform to increase rural connectivity.
Over the past 15 years, Mr. Dossal has also contributed to several Commission Working Groups, including those focused on digital health, educational connectivity, environmental sustainability, gender equality, and infrastructure development in underserved regions.
Innovative financing to expand broadband access
Mr. Dossal served as an active member of the Working Group on 21st Century Financing Models, which aimed to address financial barriers to broadband through blended financing approaches that combined public funds, private capital, and philanthropic contributions.
“As a member of the Working Group, we pushed for bold recommendations on innovative funding approaches, including: reforming Universal Service and Access Funds (USAF) approaches to be more effective financing mechanisms; broadening the contributor base by including companies benefiting from the digital economy; incentivizing voluntary contributions through public-private partnerships; and advocating for balancing broadband infrastructure development by catalyzing additional stakeholder contributions.”
Through the Global Partnerships Forum, Dossal continues to support advocacy on blended finance strategies, including the design of risk-sharing instruments to de-risk broadband projects. This work has helped increase funding flows and improve the viability of broadband infrastructure investments.
Putting recommendations into practice
Dossal has supported the implementation of several key Broadband Commission recommendations through the Global Partnerships Forum. This includes adopting multi-stakeholder engagement frameworks by organizing roundtables that bring together government, private sector, and civil society actors to improve policy coordination and broadband deployment.
He has also championed innovative financing mechanisms, drawing on Commission recommendations to advocate for blended finance models. During the COVID-19 pandemic, his organization partnered with academic institutions to expand broadband capacity for remote learning and essential services. More recently, he contributed to the Global Digital Compact process and continues to support alignment of national data protection laws with international best practices.
Lastly, he has consistently advocated for closing the usage gap by encouraging investments that address affordability, digital literacy, and online safety, the barriers that still prevent 2.6 billion people from meaningful internet access.
Lessons from the field
One of Mr. Dossal’s most impactful experiences with the Commission was during the March 2013 site visit in Mexico City, part of the Commission’s 7th meeting hosted by Commission Co-Chair Mr. Carlos Slim Helu.
“The visit to TELMEX’s digital education initiatives … showcased how connectivity empowers marginalized communities through education, innovation, and public access.”
During the trip, he visited Aldea Digital, a “living lab” that demonstrated how broadband can improve digital literacy and economic opportunity. The visit also included discussions on gender equality in access, contributing to the development of Advocacy Target 7 to close the digital gender divide. This experience reinforced for Dossal that broadband is more than infrastructure; it is a tool for advancing equity, opportunity, and sustainable development.
“As the Broadband Commission celebrates its 15th anniversary, I am proud of my foundational role and sustained commitment to its mission. The Commission has evolved from primarily focusing on physical infrastructure to addressing the complex ecosystem of factors necessary for meaningful, universal connectivity. I am grateful to be part of the Broadband Commission family and honored to have served alongside pioneers in the field.”
