Green Digital Transformation: How to Sustainably Close the Digital Divide and Harness Digital Tools for Climate Action

Guangzhe Chen leads the World Bank's global efforts to build sustainable infrastructure in developing and emerging economies and supports strategic priorities, such as the climate change action plan and the private capital mobilization and enabling efforts. He oversees the World Bank's work across energy and transport sectors, digital development, and efforts to provide access to renewable energy, low-carbon transportation, digital connectivity, and quality infrastructure services to communities through public-private partnerships. Infrastructure represents around $72 billion of the Bank’s portfolio.

Maya Ormazabal is Telefónica's Director of Environment and Human Rights, she leads the company's strategy on issues such as climate change, circular economy and the sustainable supply chain. She also coordinates sustainability aspects of the company's sustainable financing initiatives and the Taxonomy reporting. Has worked on environmental topic at Telefónica for 20 years and is also part of the board of directors of organizations such as the Spanish Green Growth Group, the international sectorial initiative JAC and leads international working groups on sustainability in the ICT sector. She has a degree in Environmental Sciences, Master in protected areas and Executive programme PDG by IESE Business School.

Alix Jagueneau serves as Head of External Affairs at GSMA, the global mobile industry association. She leads strategic advocacy campaigns, oversees engagement with external stakeholders, and drives initiatives related to UN SDGs, climate action, AI, and digital trust to promote sustainable and responsible leadership within the mobile industry. Alix holds a Master’s degrees in Political Science from the Institut d’Etudes Politiques in Aix-en-Provence and from the University of Law in Nantes, France.

Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava assumed office as Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) at ITU on January 1, 2023. With over 30 years in telecommunications, including 20 years in ITU's Development Sector, Dr. Zavazava has implemented impactful ICT projects worldwide. Previously, he served as ITU's Chief of Partnerships for Digital Development, overseeing development projects, strategic partnerships, and resource mobilization from 2019 to 2022.

Ingrid-Gabriela Hoven is the Managing Director of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH since October 2020. With 30+ years of international experience, she focuses on sustainability and climate issues. She previously served as World Bank Group Executive Director for Germany and held high-level positions in the BMZ. Ms. Hoven is involved in various boards and councils, contributing to global initiatives in climate risk insurance, finance, and more.

Sara Ballan is a Senior Digital Development Specialist at The World Bank, where she leads the Green Digital Business Line, focusing on bridging the digital divide sustainably and helping countries harness digital technologies for climate and environmental purposes. Her role involves developing partnerships, actionable knowledge, and implementation tools. With a background spanning technology and sustainability, Sara has held management positions in a digital health firm, offered consulting services, and engaged in public sector work across African and Asian nations. She holds an MSc in Political Science from Copenhagen University, complemented by studies in business and innovation.

Seth is a Lead for the World Bank’s Digital for Climate Business Line, which aims to reduce the environmental footprint and strengthen the resilience of digital infrastructure, as well as leverage digital technologies for climate action. Previously, Seth worked on digital ID and civil registration systems with the ID4D Initiative, which works in over 50 countries and informs more than $2 billion in financing.  Before joining the World Bank, Seth was Standards Program Manager for IDEMA, a trade organization representing the $35 billion disk drive industry. 

Faisal Ratyal is Director General of Telecom, at the Ministry of IT and Telecom in Pakistan. With over 18 years of experience including  SIEMENS, Huawei , National Information Technology Board Government of Pakistan and Ministry of IT & Telecom, Mr. Faisal has been associated with strategic level projects such as the safe cities of Islamabad and Lahore, 3G & 4G implementation, and Cross-border Optical Fiber cable deployment from Khunjrab to Islamabad. Mr. Faisal is an expert in project rollouts with limited resources, involving government-to-government (G2G) and government-to-citizens (G2C), disaster management, and the establishment of e-services for citizens.

Christine Zhenwei Qiang is the Director of the Digital Development Global Practice under the Infrastructure Practice Group of the World Bank. She heads a team supporting digital transformation in developing countries to drive shared prosperity and reduce poverty. Her team advises policymakers and regulators, works closely with private sector and development partners, and designs investment and technical assistance programs to improve digital connectivity and use of digital technology to address development challenges in client countries.