Archived Newsroom • Press Release |
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Reliable ICTs key to socio-economic development of
Small
Island Developing States
ITU meeting in Dubai focuses on connectivity for Small Island States
Dubai, 29 March 2014 – At a forum held in Dubai today, ITU
presented its satellite project to connect Pacific Island States and discussed
ways to replicate it in other regions, specifically in Small Island Developing
States, known as SIDS, which face many challenges due to their unique
characteristics and vulnerabilities in the pursuit of sustainable development.
The objective of the satellite project is to provide Internet connection to
communities living on remote islands. The aim is to develop low cost, reliable,
and diverse satellite communications capacity for the socio-economic development
of the Pacific Islands region. To get the best return on investment, the same
telecommunications/ICT infrastructure/resources will be used for emergency
telecommunications to ensure public safety when disasters strike.
The forum on “Connectivity for Small Island Developing States” was held on
the eve of ITU’s World Telecommunication Development Conference that opens in
Dubai on 30 March and will be in session until 10 April.
“Natural disasters are on the rise,” said ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun I.
Touré. “It is essential that remote islands and rural areas are connected to
ICTs so they have access to early warning weather information and they can
communicate with relevant authorities, humanitarian agencies, affected
communities and early responders when disasters strike.”
“Genuine and durable partnerships are important to ITU in order to assist
Small Island Developing States achieve sustainable social and economic
development through the use of telecommunications and ICTs to bridge the digital
divide,” stressed Mr Brahima Sanou, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication
Development Sector.
Reliable telecommunication and information and communication technologies
(ICT) are indispensable to promote sustainable socio-economic development of
SIDS. Assistance provided bilaterally or through international organizations
will ensure effective operation of the telecommunication sector and ICT
infrastructure in these countries.
In order to support SIDS in their efforts to be fully integrated into the
global economy, ITU continues to review the state of ICTs and address critical
areas that require action.
“The United Nations General Assembly designated 2014 as the International
Year of Small Island Developing States,” explained Sanou. “This provides a real
opportunity to address increasing environmental degradation and social and
economic marginalization in these countries.
Delegates brought attention to the Third International Conference for SIDS,
which will be held in Apia, Samoa in September 2014, and which will provide
further opportunity to focus on ICT connectivity in the region.
The World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-14) will focus on
development priorities and strategies for growth in telecommunications and ICTs,
while highlighting the theme: Broadband for Sustainable Development. This is of
vital interest to the future growth of ICTs, especially in emerging and
developing economies, and wherever new business opportunities open up to the
rapidly growing ICT industry. The outcome of the Conference – the Dubai Action
Plan – will set the agenda for telecommunication and ICT development over the
next four years.
Media Accreditation:
Media accreditation for WTDC-14 is compulsory. Please see:
www.itu.int/en/newsroom/wtdc-14/Pages/media-accreditation.aspx
For more information, please contact:
Sanjay Acharya
Chief, Media Relations and Public Information
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Monica Albertini
Communication Officer,
Telecommunication Development Bureau
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