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Japan to host leading ITU statistics symposium
Top international speakers and launch of annual global statistics on
information and communication technology sector
Geneva, 16 November 2015 – Hiroshima
is set to host the
World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Symposium
(WTIS), ITU’s annual statistical conference that will welcome government
ministers and leading experts on economic development and ICT policy to discuss
strategies to leverage information and communication technologies (ICTs) to
drive socio-economic development.
Organized by
ITU,
the UN specialized agency for ICTs, the event is hosted by the Government of
Japan and is expected to attract some 400 invited high-level dignitaries, global
experts and analysts, including government ministers and deputy ministers.
The symposium will
address a wide range of topical issues including big data, progress in measuring
the socio-economic impact of ICTs, ICT statistics and the Sustainable
Development Goal monitoring framework, strategies to measure ICT innovation, and
the use of data generated by the Internet of Things to drive ICT development.
In an increasingly
interconnected global economy, accurate data on ICT penetration, pricing and
access are widely acknowledged to be critical, not just to the ICT sector, but
to the growth of other business and social sectors.
ITU publishes the world’s most widely-used global ICT database, as well as its
annual flagship statistics report,
Measuring the Information Society.
The 2015 edition of the report, including the
ICT Development Index
(IDI) which ranks countries according to a basket of ICT-related statistical
indicators, will be released at a press conference on Monday 30 November.
The
WTIS programme
will open with a special ceremony commemorating ITU’s 150th anniversary,
followed by a Ministerial Roundtable focusing on ICT as a driver of sustainable
development and a Leaders Dialogue on the topic of future ICT trends, policies
and measurement challenges.
Confirmed government speakers include Japan’s Sanae Takaichi, Minister for
Internal Affairs and Communications and Yasua Sakamoto, Vice-Minister for Policy
Coordination, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. They join ITU
Secretary-General Houlin Zhao and Director of ITU’s Telecommunication
Development Bureau, Brahima Sanou, and a distinguished list of
high-level international speakers from around the world.
Journalists are encouraged to register now to attend Day One of this
compelling international event. Please note that for security reasons advance
registration is essential to obtain a badge to enter the venue. Media
registration closes on Thursday 26 November 18:00 JST.
What:
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ITU World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators
Symposium
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When:
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30 November - 2 December 2015
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Where:
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Grand Prince Hotel, Hiroshima, Japan
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Why:
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The chance to hear and interview top
international speakers from government, the ICT
industry and the global ICT analyst community.
Launch of latest IDI figures for global
country-by-country ICT rankings
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Who:
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Experts from the global statistical community,
ICT analysts and ICT
regulatory agencies, government leaders and
policymakers, C-level executives from the
private sector, and senior figures from UN
agencies. |
Media
Information
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Registration is essential
for media and industry analysts to participate
in person. Please contact:
m-nakaji@soumu.go.jp |
Follow the
event on Twitter at: #WTIS2015 and #ITUdata.
For more information, please
visit the
event website
or contact:
Sarah Parkes
Chief, Media Relations & Public Information, ITU
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Media registration enquiries:
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Mr Mutsuharu Nakajima
MIC Japan
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