Name: Space Connectivity for Development
Start: 2025-09-22T16:30:00-04:00
End: 2025-09-22T18:30:00-04:00
Location: The Meeting Galleries

Space Connectivity for Development

Affiliate session of the ITU-UNDP Digital@UNGA program: celebrating the power of Digital for Good

Amazon is proud to bring together forward-looking policymakers, industry leaders, and United Nations
officials to share experiences and ideas on harnessing space-based technologies to advance sustainable
development and universal connectivity. As an affiliate session of the Digital@UNGA program led by the
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), this
event will demonstrate how digital technologies can be harnessed as a unifying force for good.

September

22

,

2025

|

4:30pm

–

6:30PM

The Meeting Galleries

155 E 44th Street, 11th Floor New York, NY 10017

44th Street, Between Lexington Avenue and Third Avenue

REGISTER

The digital divide continues to leave approximately 2 billion people without reliable access to broadband
connectivity. Space-based technologies, particularly non-geostationary satellite (NGSO) systems, offer
promising solutions for universal connectivity and digital development, but they require supportive policy
frameworks and international cooperation to reach their full potential.

Speakers

H.E. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev

President, Republic of Kazakhstan (Invited)

Doreen Bogdan-Martin

Secretary-General, International Telecommunication Union

Aarti Holla-Maini

Director, United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs

David Zapolsky

Chief Global Affairs and Legal Officer, Amazon

Whitney Baird

President and CEO, U.S. Council for International Business

Speakers

H.E. Anthony Albanese Prime Minister, Australia (invited)

Faizaam Ghauri founded The Minimal NYC in late 2012 at the height of the mobile advertising boom. In just 3 years, the agency has emerged as the premier provider of unique mobile ad solutions and has won more creative awards than any agency in North America.

JESSICA ANNAS

Design Partner, Sparkwave Media

Jessica Annas has studied the art of complex data design for more than a decade. Data Designer at Sparkwave Media, Annas works with the company's roster of Fortune 500 brands to make data more beautiful, relatable, and accessible across every screen.

ASHTON AJAYI

VP Of Product Experience, Pixel Palace.

Ashton Ajayi leads sustainability initiatives at Pixel Palace, an agency founded on helping companies make good money while doing good things. He primarily focuses on inventing custom business models for companies who want a higher purpose without sacrificing profit.

KATIE BOFSHEVER

Design Partner, GV

As VP of Digital Media at GV, Katie Bofshever crafts innovative and creative solutions for the digital space, specializing in minority consumers.

KATIE BOFSHEVER

Design Partner, GV

As VP of Digital Media at GV, Katie Bofshever crafts innovative and creative solutions for the digital space, specializing in minority consumers.

Ministerial Panel

Hon. Zhaslan Madiyev

Minister of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry, Republic of Kazakhstan (Confirmed)

H.E. Omran Sharaf

Assistant Foreign Minister for Advanced Science and Technology, United Arab Emirates (Confirmed)

Hon. Mondli Gungubele

Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Republic of South Africa (Confirmed)

Kalpak Gude

Head of Global Regulatory Affairs, Amazon Project Kuiper

Agenda

4:30PM

NGSO Satellites: A new era in connectivity

Welcome Address

by David Zapolsky, Chief Global Affairs and Legal Officer, Amazon

Leading The Way: At the forefront of the space economy: Addresses from Heads of State on the forefront of the space economy

Keynote

H.E. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President, Republic of Kazakhstan (invited)

Better Together

How the UN promotes cooperation in the space economy

Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General, ITU
Aarti Holla-Maini, Director, United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs

Policy Matters: How government leaders can enable satellite connectivity

Ministerial Panel

Moderator: Mr. Kalpak Gude, Head of Global Regulatory Affairs, Amazon Project Kuiper

Hon. Zhaslan Madiyev, Minister of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry, Republic of Kazakhstan (confirmed)

Hon. Mondli Gungubele, Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Republic of South Africa (confirmed)
H.E. Omran Sharaf, Assistant Foreign Minister for Advanced Science and Technology, United Arab Emirates (confirmed)

5:30PM

Networking Cocktails and Reception

Join us for an evening of cocktails, heavy appetizers, and free-flowing conversation

“Design is not making beauty, beauty emerges from selection, affinities, integration, love.”

Louis Kahn

The Minimal NYC

Architect

Space Connectivity for Development

Monday, September 22 from 4:30-6:30pm ET

The Meeting Galleries

Located on 44th Street, between Lexington Avenue and Third Avenue

155 E 44th Street, 11th Floor

New York, NY 10017

RSVP