ITU Regional Development Forum for Europe
11 June 2018, Prague
OPENING REMARKS
By Mr. Brahima Sanou
Director, ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT)
Her Excellency Ms. Irini Reljin, Assistant Minister, Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications, Serbia
His Excellency Mr Dejan Masliković, Assistant Minister of Media and Culture, Serbia
Her Excellency Ms. Dorina Çinari, Deputy Minister Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, Albania
Mr Jaromir Novak, President of the Council of Czech Telecommunication Office
Mr. Jaroslaw Ponder, Head of ITU Office for Europe
Representatives of Regional Organizations and ITU Development Sector Members;
Distinguished delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen;
Good morning,
It is indeed my great pleasure to welcome you to the ITU Regional Development Forum for Europe.
On behalf of all the participants, the ITU and on my own behalf, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic for hosting this Forum and for the kind hospitality extended to all of us.
I also thank the Czech Telecommunication Office, and the President of the Council, Mr Jaromir Novak for his continued support to our work.
Distinguished participants,
This is the first ITU Regional Development Forum for Europe after the World Telecommunication Development Conference held in October 2017 in Buenos Aires.
The purpose of this Forum is to present the proposed implementation of the Buenos Aires Action Plan with particular emphasis on the Regional Initiatives.
The Regional Initiatives have always been at the top of my priorities because it is through their implementation that we make a difference on the ground.
It is through their implementation that we can accelerate progress in all sectors of life, including education, health, agriculture, energy, transport, just to mention a few.
It is through their implementation that we can make our communities smarter, that we can empower women, youth and people with disabilities.
It is therefore through their implementation that we can put a human face to ICTs.
I am happy to note that the Regional Initiatives of Europe are well thought to address your priorities in the region in the field of next generation infrastructure, digital services, ICT accessibility, digital skills, cybersecurity, ICT innovation.
I thank the ITU Council and particularly the Counselors of this region for allocating seed funds dedicated to the implementation of the Regional Initiatives across the world.
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Com-ITU of CEPT for the great collaboration, constant guidance and remarkable contribution to the work of ITU-D.
I am particularly happy to mention our continued cooperation with the European Commission that has led to funding and implementation of innovative projects, such as the establishment of the European mHealth Hub.
I am equally happy to recognize our standing partner, the Regional Cooperation Council, a sub-regional organization of Western Balkans, for working hand in hand with us to facilitate the process of digital integration in this part of Europe.
I would like to express my gratitude to many of you for facilitating our coordination with the National Development Agencies to ensure that the focus is on projects that accelerate digital transformation in Europe and worldwide.
As many of you know, we have already initiated several actions in line with the Regional Initiatives approved by the WTDC-17. Many of you have been already engaged through the ITU Office for Europe in these activities.
Let me use this opportunity to announce one that is particularly close to my heart. Today we are launching the opening of registration for the self-paced executive training on ICT accessibility aiming at certifying at least 500 stakeholders.
I hope that it will significantly help in building capacities in the field of digital inclusion across the region.
Distinguished delegates ladies and gentlemen
Regional Development Forums are an excellent opportunity to share our views and to engage in interactive discussions on regional priorities.
They are part of our efforts to strengthen the ITU regional presence and regional accountability.
During this Forum the ITU Office for Europe will present to you the outlines of projects derived from the Regional Initiatives.
I encourage you to provide your feedback in order to align these projects with your priorities and aspirations.
Let us all work together to implement the Regional Initiatives with the aim of accelerating progress towards prosperity and peace for everyone because sustainable development is a collective responsibility.
I wish you very fruitful deliberations.
I thank you.
