ITU Secretary-General called for accessible and affordable technology for everyone, everywhere
Date: 2022-09-26
The Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Houlin Zhao, has charged member countries to put in efforts to make technology accessible and affordable to everyone, everywhere.
According to him, equitable access to ICT is not just a moral responsibility but is essential for global prosperity and sustainability.
Speaking during the
opening of the ITU's 21st Plenipotentiary Conference, known as
"PP-22" in the Romanian capital Bucharest, Mr. Zhao, who has led the
organization for the past eight years, noted that decisions made at the
conference would determine the ITU's direction and priorities in line with the
evolving needs of its diverse and growing global membership, helping shape the
future of the information society in both developed and developing countries.
Delegates at the
quadrennial conference include government ministers and officials,
representatives from national, regional, and international
bodies, academic institutions, and the private sector –companies
dealing with telecommunications and the Internet – reflecting an aspect of
ITU's membership mix that is unique in the UN system.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres
highlighted "the opportunity to form common positions that will shape
global digital transformation for years to come" and urged delegates to
"seize the opportunities of digital technology while protecting against
its risks."
In a pre-recorded video message, he
called on the high-level audience from government and industry "to put
humanity's progress at the center of your discussions" over the next three
weeks.
The Plenipotentiary Conference, held every four years, enables nations and governments to reach coordinated decisions on advancing vital technologies. PP-22 provides a crucial forum for governments spanning every region to build consensus on radio and satellite harmonization, telecom standardization, and digital development.
The election for ITU's next
secretary-general is set to open on Thursday, 29 September. Elections
for ITU's senior management team will follow.
After all, elections are concluded, an
expected 2,500 delegates from ITU's 193 Member States will decide on the
organization's strategic and financial plans and its roadmap for connecting the
world over the coming four years.
ITU's 21st Plenipotentiary Conference, known as "PP-22",
features elections for the
organization's top management posts – Secretary-General,
Deputy Secretary-General, and Directors for Radiocommunication,
Telecommunication Standardization, and Telecommunication Development – along
with the 12-seat Radio Regulations Board and 48-seat ITU Council.
By:
Kanto Okanta
