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  • 09 September 2015
    ITU-D Study Group 2 meets in Geneva

    The Second meeting of the ITU-D Study Group 2 for the 2014-2017 study period opened in Geneva on Monday 7 September 2015.

    The scope of ITU-D Study Group 2 is on ICT applications, cybersecurity, emergency telecommunications and climate-change adaptation.

    “Study Groups are the knowledge center of ITU-D and they represent a unique neutral platform where experts gather to produce relevant, useful guidelines and resources for our Membership,” said Mr Brahima Sanou Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT).

    He added, “Engaging in the work of ITU-D Study Groups gives access to a global pool of expertise and resources from which every country can benefit, regardless of the level of development and income.”

    Mr Sanou thanked the participants for the large number of contributions received and expressed confidence that they will lead to high-quality outputs.

    Prof Ahmad Sharafat, Chairman of ITU-D Study Group 2 reminded participants that the work period of ITU-D Study Groups has been shorted from four to three years, adding that, “we have to speed up the work while keeping the same level of quality we have witnessed so far.” Prof Sharafat noted that he was impressed by the quality of contributions received.

    93 participants including ITU-D Member States, Sector Members, Associates and United Nations Agencies attended the opening session.

    A workshop on cybersecurity was held on 8 September. The event shared best practices on international, regional and national level approaches for enhancing cybersecurity capacity.

    The first ever ITU-D Academia Network meeting held on Friday 11 September 2015. The meeting unanimously agreed to establish an ITU Scientific Journal which will focus on emerging challenges and issues in the telecommunication/ICT sector.

    Discussing possible themes for future issues of the Journal, the meeting agreed to suggest the Editorial Board to look into the following three themes: ICTs for sustainable development, bridging the digital divide and best practices in the ICT sector.

    It was also agreed that ITU will serve as a platform to foster the collaboration between Academia and industry Sector Members including the identification of Members who can contribute to support academic research. Further, topical issues discussed at ITU, among them policy and regulatory matters, would be incorporated into academic programmes in order to transmit to younger generations the wealth of knowledge generated through ITU work.

    Study Groups provide an opportunity for all Member States and Sector Members (including Associates and Academia) to share experiences, present ideas, exchange views, and achieve consensus on appropriate strategies to address ICT priorities. They are responsible for developing Reports, Guidelines, and Recommendations based on input received from the membership.

    Information is gathered through surveys, contributions and case studies. Study Groups are responsible for developing guidelines, reports and recommendations, based on input from Members.

    To find out more about the ITU-D Study-Groups, click here.