Page 9 - SAMENA Trends - November-December 2021

FEATURED SAMENA TRENDS

6 World Telecommunications/ICT Policy Forum Charts Course
th
for an Equitable and Inclusive Digital Future

Over 400 top representatives from the documents known as “Opinions", were Development Goals and address some of
public and private sectors affirmed approved in the Chairman's report at the the world's most pressing opportunities
the need to align information and close of the WTPF-21, which took place and challenges, from COVID-19 to the
communication technologies (ICTs) online between 16 and 18 December. digital divide." Ursula Owusu-Ekuful,
and rapidly evolving new and emerging The Opinions reflect common views Minister of Communications and
technologies with global priorities for among ITU's membership of countries, Digitalization, Ghana and WTPF-21
sustainable development. Delegates at companies, institutions, academia and Chair, said: “As ITU members, we owe it
the sixth World Telecommunications/ICT civil society, as refined and set down to ourselves to do our utmost to harness
Policy Forum (WTPF-21) gave their seal during a highly collaborative two-year better the emerging technologies and
of approval to a set of guidelines shaping multistakeholder preparatory process. ICTs to accelerate the achievement
future technology policy. These covered “The ITU family came together at WTPF- of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
areas from inclusive connectivity 21 to discuss the new and emerging Development. Because when poverty
and digital skills to using new and technologies that show so much promise is on the rise, when our children's
emerging technologies and services for all humanity," said ITU Secretary- education is on the line, when our planet
for sustainable development, fostering General Houlin Zhao. “The output of is suffering and when our health is
an effective enabling environment, this Forum sends a clear, strong and impaired with existing and new diseases,
and how tech can support effective positive message to the world that these we believe that these technologies
COVID-19 response and recovery. These technologies and ICTs in general are can and will make a big difference."
guidelines, set out in non-binding policy essential to achieve the UN Sustainable She further said: “These Opinions will

Delegates at the sixth

World Telecommunica-
tions/ICT Policy Forum
(WTPF-21) gave their
seal of approval to a set

of guidelines shaping
future technology poli-
cy. These covered areas
from inclusive connec-

tivity and digital skills to
using new and emerg-
ing technologies and
services for sustainable

development, fostering
an effective enabling
environment, and how
tech can support effec-

tive COVID-19 response
and recovery.

9 NOV-DEC 2021