ITU recognizes political leadership in achieving SDG via ICTs

ITRealms:

Raising from the global launch of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has emphasized the vital role that information and communication technology (ICT) in meeting the new SDG at a special award ceremony held in the United Nations (UN) headquarters, New York, Saturday by honouring nine distinguished contributors to exceptional leadership.

ITRealms reports that ITU used the occasion to officially recognized these Heads of State and Heads of Government for their efforts to improve access to ICT networks and services, stressing that the celebration of the power of information and communications technology to drive the global 2030 development agenda.

ITRealms also reports that the ICTs in Sustainable Development Award re-affirms ITU’s commitment to enabling development through ICTs.

Chief, Media Relations and Public Information at ITU, Sarah Parkes informed ITRealms that recipients of the prestigious award include Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh; Mr Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji; Mr Ali Bongo Ondimba, President of the Gabonese Republic; Mr Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya; and Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia.

Others include Mr Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda; General Prayuth Chan-ocha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand; Mr Tabaré Vázquez, President of the Eastern Republic of Uruguay and Mr Meltek Sato Kilman Livtuvanu, Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu.

Parkes equally said the award was conferred by ITU Secretary-General, Mr. Houlin Zhao at a gala dinner hosted by the Global Sustainability Foundation (GSF), which celebrated ITU’s role in ‘Connecting the World’. Speakers at the event heralded the catalytic role that ICTs play in the achievement of the SDGs. 

In addition, Zhao said the leaders recognized at this event set the benchmark for improving access, affordability and application of ICTs to drive socio-economic development.

“With the international community on the brink of agreeing a bold 2030 agenda, it is clear ICTs have a fundamental role to play in the achievement of the new Sustainable Development Goals. ITU will be doing everything in its power to support our members – both government and private industry – in driving sustainable development through ICTs, and will work tirelessly to ensure the benefits of ICTs are available and accessible to all the world’s people,” he said.

+Remmy Nweke (ITRealms)  
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Unwin predicts Internet access to top agenda for 2015 SDGs

DigitalSENSE Business News:

The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO), Professor Tim Unwin, has predicted that access to the Internet will top agenda for the 2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reports DigitalSENSE Business News.

Professor Unwin, DigitalSENSE Business News gathered, made his prediction at the just ended inaugural Commonwealth Broadband Forum 2014 held between 18 and 20 November in Nairobi, Kenya.

He told DigitalSENSE Business News the importance of broadband and stressed how all should work collectively to ensure that the poorest and most-marginalised groups are not excluded, but able to grasp the opportunities provided by new technologies.

“Broadband connectivity should not only be used for economic growth but should also be used as a driver for social justice and effective governance,” Prof. Unwin declared to DigitalSENSE Business News in a press statement made available to correspondent by Marcel Belingue.

DigitalSENSE Business News recalls that over 130 delegates from Commonwealth countries took part in the event, hosted by the Communications Authority of Kenya.

 
Over three days, DigitalSENSE Business News also gathered, participants examined several aspects of broadband, including the future of broadband and mobile technologies across the Commonwealth and beyond, and the impact that these technologies will have in driving innovation and growth.

Some of the session-focused discussions, DigitalSENSE Business News gathred from 2014 theme "Broadband for Accelerated Growth” comprised the Mobile broadband technologies: 4G and LTE; Broadband access and infrastructure aiding development; Cloud computing for emerging markets; Broadband applications and value-added services; Inclusion and innovation beyond broadband: The rise of tech cities, Financing broadband in Africa; and Strengthening broadband public-private partnerships to accelerate investment projects.

@Chuks Egbuna +Remmy Nweke +Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation

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