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ICTs recognized as key enablers in global humanitarian effort
Broadband Commission and ITU Secretary-General commit support at
World Humanitarian Summit
Geneva, 25 May 2016 – The World Humanitarian Summit meeting
in Istanbul, Turkey, brought together world leaders to address some of the
greatest humanitarian challenges of our times.
ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao said, “The International Telecommunication
Union reinforces the importance of ICTs in helping to address humanitarian
crises of every kind, and to stress the vital importance of communications
networks in helping to deliver information, aid and assistance to the right
places at the right time when disasters strike and crises occur.”
An
Open Statement from the ITU/UNESCO Broadband Commission for Sustainable
Development, was released in Istanbul: “The Broadband Commission
urges all participants at this summit to make the most of the potential of ICTs
as enablers for development; to enhance planning processes for broadband
infrastructure, so ICTs and broadband can help improve and facilitate disaster
response and prevention; and to develop capacities and relevant content ahead of
time, especially for youth.”
The Broadband Commission statement recognized that “the world is facing
humanitarian needs on a massive scale, and reaffirms its belief that
broadband/ICTs have provided us with the tools to address key challenges in new
and innovative ways, and which can improve the response time for millions of
people affected by conflicts and disasters. Digital inclusion is of paramount
importance to ensure that no one, and no society, is left behind”.
For more information, please contact:
Sanjay Acharya
Chief, Media Relations and Public Information, ITU
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