Broadband can help manage world biggest challenges, Ki-moon says

Ban Ki-moon, the United Nations Secretary-General has said that some of the world’s biggest problems that broadband could solve include fast-growing cities, transport system, power generation, health, among others.

He made this disclosure in his message to mark the 2014 World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, recently held by the International Telecommunications Union in Geneva, Switzerland.

According to him, “ICTs are powerhouses of the global economy, offering solutions for sustainable economic growth and shared prosperity. Broadband networks provide smart eco-friendly solutions to manage booming cities and transport systems; enhance efficiency for manufacturing industries and power generation; conduct long-distance diagnosis and treatment for patients in remote locations; and promote innovative educational applications for students around the world.”

Hamadoun I. Touré, ITU Secretary-General also emphasised the power of broadband to achieve sustainable socio-economic growth. According to the ITU chief, “Broadband connectivity is a critical element today in ensuring that ICTs are used as effective delivery vehicles for health, education, governance, trade and commerce in order to achieve sustainable socio-economic growth. We must commit ourselves in the service of humanity to make broadband the central element of the post-2015 sustainable development agenda.”

He added that “The right to communication is central to the information society; it is a key principle for equitable, affordable and universal access to information and knowledge that in turn empowers people to meet their aspirations and achieve their development goals.”