Barcelona, October 7, 2025 — UNICEF and Giga welcome the Regional Government of Catalonia’s commitment to strengthen collaboration on child protection and digital inclusion.
During the 80th UN General Assembly in New York, Minister for European Union and Foreign Action of the Regional Government of Catalonia, Jaume Duch, met with UNICEF Deputy Executive Director for Partnerships, Kitty van der Heijden, to discuss Catalonia’s increased involvement in projects in response to climate change and its continued support for Giga, UNICEF and ITU’s joint initiative to connect every school to the internet by 2030.
Minister Duch expressed Catalonia’s interest in continued engagement with Giga. “In recent years, the Regional Government of Catalonia has contributed to this program moving forward. And we renew our commitment for the remaining 5 years until 2030”, he said.
The Regional Government of Catalonia has been a supporter of Giga, providing financial resources that have contributed to the establishment of Giga Technology Center in Barcelona and connecting more than 15,000 schools, resulting in more than 11 million students with improved connectivity.
This renewed engagement reflects a shared vision; investing in digital infrastructure is vital to protecting children’s rights and ensuring equitable access to education. Together, UNICEF, Giga, and the Regional Government of Catalonia aim to close the digital divide and create opportunities for every child to have access to information, opportunity and choice and create a rewarding future.
About UNICEF and Giga
UNICEF is a United Nations agency dedicated to promoting the rights and wellbeing of every child, including through access to education and technology. Giga (a UNICEF and ITU partnership) is working to connect every school in the world to the internet and every young person to information, opportunity, and choice.
For more information, please contact:
Akunna Ibe, Communications Specialist, UNICEF Giga
aibe@unicef.org