Washington, DC - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and President Jim Kim of the World Bank Group will convene finance ministers, multilateral development banks, and representatives from the technology industry and non-governmental organizations in Washington, DC, on April 14 to highlight broad support for Global Connect, a U.S.-led, multi-stakeholder effort aimed connecting an additional 1.5 billion new Internet users by 2020.

More than 100 participants, including representatives from over 28 countries, as well as representatives of NGOs, the telecom and Internet industry, the United Nations, other international organizations and multilateral development banks are expected to participate and show their support for Global Connect.

After remarks from Secretary Kerry and President Kim, Under Secretary Catherine A. Novelli will moderate the high-level event with remarks from finance ministers from key engagement countries and leading U.S. Government principals such as FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, OPIC President Elizabeth Littlefield, and U.S. Chief Technology Officer Megan Smith. Finance ministers from all continents and the heads of the major multilateral development banks will be in attendance. Participants will also discuss a road map for the initiative moving forward.

Global Connect was launched by the U.S. Department of State on the margins of last year’s United Nations General Assembly. Its goal is to prioritize Internet connectivity as an integral part of all national development strategies, and to encourage the adoption of policies that focus not only on spurring connectivity, but also entrepreneurship, cross-border information flows, and open and competitive marketplaces.