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High-level event

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World Telecommunication and Information Society Day

"Accelerating digital transformation in challenging times"


What: High-level panel to mark WTISD 2021
When: Monday, 17 May, 13:00 to 14:30 (CET)
Where:WSIS Forum 2021 virtual event. Register here​.

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) will be celebrated on 17 May with a virtual panel discussion as part of this year’s World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum. 

The high-level panel aims to highlight the need for enhanced cooperation on information and communication technologies (ICTs) and telecommunication, both between countries and across different sectors. 

Members and partners of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) are invited to showcase their actions and initiatives to accelerate digital transformation – not only to meet today’s challenges but to prepare for those in the future.

This year’s theme, “Accelerating digital transformation in challenging times”, emphasizes the key role of telecommunication and ICTs in building social resilience, with ITU’s membership stepping up to help save lives and sustain economies. 

The WTISD 2021 event highlights how digital technologies can help the world build back better after COVID-19, as well as prepare for challenging times in the future.


Programme
  • 13:00 – Event opening​
  • WTISD 2021 video
  • Message from António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations
  • Welcome Remarks – Houlin Zhao, Secretary-General, ITU​
  • High-level Panel Discussion:  “Accelerating digital transformation in challenging times” 
    • Moderator:  Malcolm Johnson, Deputy Secretary-General, ITU
    • Panellists:
      • Ms. Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Executive Director, United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)
      • Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Republic of Ghana​
      • H. E. Marek Zagórski, Secretary of State, Government Plenipotentiary for Cybersecurity​, Chancellery of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland​​​
      • Senator the Hon. Allyson West, ​Minister of Public Administration and Digital Transformation, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
      • H. E. Elmir Velizade, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Transport, Communications and High Technologies, Republic of Azerbaijan
      • Ms. Jessica RosenworcelActing Chairwoman, Federal Communications Commission​, United States of America​​
      • Mr. Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui, Federal Secretary, Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, Islamic Republic of Pakistan
      • Mr. Robert Opp​, Chief Digital Officer, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
  • ​14:25 – Event closing ​ (closing slide show)​

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