Keynote Speech by Malcolm Johnson, ITU Deputy Secretary-General
World Internet of Things Exposition - Wuxi Summit
31 October 2016, China
Excellencies
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentleman
Zao shang how!
Good morning!
It gives me great pleasure to be here at the World Internet of Things Exposition, Wuxi Summit. On behalf of the ITU I would like to congratulate the organiser for this summit which I am sure will be a great success. Greetings for ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao!
As the specialized agency of the United Nations for information and communication technologies (ICTs), ITU has the responsibility of maintaining and developing international cooperation in the field, promoting innovation and the efficient use, with trust and confidence, of the major global telecommunication resources: the international radio spectrum; the geostationary satellite orbit; and the international telecommunication fixed networks. ITU’s mission is “to connect the world”, so everyone, everywhere can have access to the benefits of ICTs. Being the largest and most influential global telecommunication organization, ITU currently has a membership of 193 member states, over 700 private sector entities, and more than 130 academic institutions. ITU maintains the international treaty on the use of the radio spectrum, a treaty on international telecommunication regulations, and developments the technical standards upon which most people access ICT services around the world. ITU also promotes best practices to encourage the roll-out of ICT services, especially in the developing countries.
I am very pleased to say that China is a major contributor to ITU, a contribution that has greatly increased in recent years, particularly in the area of standardization. China is a very active participant and plays an important role in our conferences, such as the World Telecommunication Standardisation Assembly currently taking place in Tunisia.
The conference is identifying the standardisation priorities for the coming years, in particular ITU’s contribution to one of the most significant developments: the Internet of Things (IoT), which offers new opportunities and challenges, and huge prospects for the global economy and social development. It will bring profound changes to the lives of many people.
Centuries ago the Chinese philosopher Laozi, famously said that: “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step”. For ITU this first step on its IoT journey began more than a 10 years ago with the publication of its report “The Internet of Things”.
Since then, ITU has come a long way and is now actively addressing the technical standards and spectrum requirements for IoT development.
In 2013, ITU began work on smart sustainable cities and published last year 21 Technical Reports and Specifications on the subject.
This work is now being taken forward in ITU’s newest study group, ITU-T Study Group 20 on “IoT and its applications, including smart cities and communities”.
Since its establishment in June 2015, Study Group 20 has had an overwhelming response and has already approved a number of standards, in particular the “Requirements of the network for the Internet of Things”.
Study Group 20 has published two flipbooks which are freely available on the ITU website, one contains the first set of ITU-T Recommendations on IoT, and the other explains the key performance indicators for smart cities which are currently being trialled by several cities around the world.
Study Group 20 is now developing other IoT standards on topics such as smart manufacturing and Big Data. Given ITU's interest in the development of IoT, I am very pleased and grateful for the invitation to ITU to be with you here in Wuxi, the city dedicated to promoting and developing IoT applications and the industry – truly a window onto the future!
The World Internet of Things Exposition gives an opportunity to exchange ideas and build partnerships. I am sure that this event will greatly promote the development of the technologies and industries related to IoT, and enhance China’s productive contribution to the ITU work. It will be an opportunity to share best practices and increase the cooperation and collaboration that will be essential for the successful implementation of the Internet of Things, so important to the global telecommunication industry and the achievement of a better life for citizens throughout the world!
I wish a great success to the World Internet of Things Exposition and look forward to our future collaboration!
Thank you!
Xie Xie!