BIOGRAPHY

He is currently the Chief of Department responsible for Partnerships for Digital Development in the BDT since 2019. In this post he is responsible for negotiating partnerships, mobilizing resources for projects, growing, and engaging with the Development Sector’s industry and private sector members, and managing ITU’s project portfolio. He has successfully launched new initiatives that has seen growth and an increase in participation by industry and private sector membership and has successfully brought new partnerships to ITU and millions of dollars through resource mobilization. He was previously Chief of Department in the BDT responsible for Projects and Knowledge Management from 2010 to 2019. In this capacity, he was responsible for the overall management of the ITU project portfolio, statistics, capacity building, emergency telecommunications, and providing special assistance to least developed countries (LDCs), landlocked developing countries (LLDCs), and small island developing states (SIDS). Prior to that he worked as Head of Division for business development, special assistance to LDCs, LLDCs, SIDS, emergency telecommunications, climate change adaptation, and e-waste management. Previously, before joining ITU, he was the Head of Government Telecommunications Agency in his native country, and then a senior diplomat (Minister Counsellor).

In carrying out his work, he continued to demonstrate strong leadership, good judgement, hard work, and a result-oriented approach. He has a clear vision and commitment, relevant experience, passion, and aptitude for the assumption and successful discharge of the higher office of Director of the BDT. Dr Cosmas Zavazava travelled extensively to more than 125 countries to design and implement projects, to negotiate and conclude partnerships, and to speak at global events.

Dr Cosmas Zavazava studied in Romania, Japan, United States, United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Zimbabwe. He holds Diplomas in telecommunications and computer systems engineering, a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Master’s degrees in Business Administration, International Relations, Telecommunication and Information Technology Law, and a Doctorate in International Trade.