G3ict/Smart Cities for All Country Advisory Network Announces New Members for Guatemala and Uzbekistan

ATLANTA (August 14, 2023) —

Today the Global Initiative for Inclusive ICTs (G3ict), through its Global Advisory Center and Smart Cities for All global initiative, is pleased to announce the appointment of two new Country Advocates (CAs) - Gabriela Matus Bonilla (Guatemala) and Hudoykul Hafizov (Uzbekistan). G3ict’s global network of disability and accessibility leaders now extends to 45 members worldwide, all working to promote in their countries the goals and objectives of G3ict, SC4A, and the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP).

Smart Cities for All and other G3ict initiatives benefit from the network of advocates who collaborate with local and national governments, civil society, and private sector stakeholders to make societies and communities more inclusive in the context of the UN SDGs (#11), the UN-Habitat III New Urban Agenda, and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Since 2019, G3ict and Smart Cities for All have worked to grow and strengthen the unique network of accessibility leaders and experts to shape ideas and influence accessibility policy in their countries.

“G3ict’s Global Advisory Center programs are defining and measuring DEI-Accessibility progress,” said Christopher M. Lee, PhD., G3ict Managing Director. “This unique network of global experts and advocates further extends our impact into every region of the world.”

The Country Advocates bring to their countries the global work of G3ict and Smart Cities for All, and a broad understanding of accessibility and universal design for technology, transportation, and built environments. Each Country Advocate will leverage valuable technical expertise and use their experiences to play an important role in expanding the global impact of the G3ict and its Smart Cities for All Country Representative Program.

“It is an honor to be appointed a G3ict Country Advocate and represent Guatemala, my home country. Working for disability inclusion is a big step that Guatemala must take and being part of this network could have a transformational impact on my country's accessibility journey,” said Gabriela Matus Bonilla. “This partnership will help to strengthen local initiatives and projects, and promote more opportunities to make Guatemala more inclusive and accessible.”

Gabriela Matus Bonilla is an industrial designer from Guatemala with a Postgraduate in Accessibility and Design for All from Universitat Internacional de Catalunya. She is passionate about accessibility, inclusion, and social impact. Gabriela is the co-founder of Colectivo de Accesibilidad, S.A. She has worked as a consultant in different projects related with accessibility in built environments and universal design in Guatemala working closely with local companies, organizations and international cooperation entities based in the country.

“G3ict's mission to promote accessibility aligns perfectly with my passion for fostering inclusion and equal opportunities,” said Hudoykul Hafizov. “As a Country Advocate, I see great potential in our collaboration to create a more accessible and barrier-free environment in Uzbekistan, empowering individuals with disabilities to thrive and contribute to society.”

Hudoykul Hafizov is a highly experienced and multilingual professional with a remarkable 20+ years' background in International Law, project management, and Policy Development. As a Disability Inclusion Advisor at UNDP in Uzbekistan, he demonstrates exceptional skills in crafting accessible policies and fostering disability awareness. Passionate about creating inclusive societies, Hudoykul collaborates with diverse stakeholders to drive impactful changes in promoting inclusivity and accessibility. Being the first Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) in Uzbekistan, he possesses extensive expertise in web accessibility and creating accessible electronic documents.