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U.N. tech agency elects U.S.-backed leader

In an election with global significance for the internet and telecoms, American Doreen Bogdan-Martin won the ITU's top job, defeating her Russian rival.

Doreen Bogdan-Martin speaks in March at an event for delegates to the ITU Council
Doreen Bogdan-Martin speaks in March at an event for delegates to the ITU Council (AN/Eric Bridiers)

GENEVA (AN) — In an election with global significance for the internet and telecoms, Doreen Bogdan-Martin of the United States won the top job at the main U.N. standards-setting technology agency, handily defeating her Russian rival.

Bogdan-Martin, who was publicly backed by U.S. President Joe Biden, carried the election on Thursday at a conference held in Bucharest, Romania. She was chosen to become the next secretary-general of the Geneva-based International Telecommunication Union with 139 votes out of 172, compared to Rashid Ismailov of Russia's 25 votes.

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