The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Development Conference has adopted the Dubai Action Plan which sets the agenda for telecommunication and information and communication technology development over the next four years.
“Broadband for Sustainable Development”, which formed the theme of the forum focused on development priorities and agreed on the programmes, projects and initiatives to implement them.
The theme underlines ITU’s commitment to leverage broadband as a catalyst to meet the goals of sustainable development, according to the UN specialised agency for the global ICT industry.
The Dubai Declaration states that “Universal and affordable access to telecommunications and information and communication technologies is essential for the world’s economic, social and cultural development, and contributes to building a global economy and information society. Widespread access to and accessibility of telecommunications and information and communication technologies applications and services provide new socio-economic opportunities for all people.”
The sixth World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-14) met from 30 March to 10 April at the World Trade Centre in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It attracted over 1300 participants from 137 countries.
The Dubai Action Plan is a comprehensive package that promotes the equitable, affordable, inclusive and sustainable development of telecommunications/ICT networks, applications and services.
The objectives outlined in the Plan include: to foster international cooperation on telecommunication and ICT issues, to foster an enabling environment conducive to ICT development and foster the development of ICT networks as well as relevant applications and services, including bridging the standardization gap, to enhance confidence and security in the use of ICTs and roll out of relevant applications and services, to build human and institutional capacity, promote digital inclusion and provide concentrated assistance to countries in special need and to enhance climate change adaptation and mitigation, and disaster management efforts through telecommunications and ICTs.
[blockquote right=”pull-right”]“With the adoption of the Dubai Declaration, we declare our commitment to accelerate the expansion and use of ICTs, and in particular broadband, to achieve economic growth,”, Hamadoun Touré, ITU Secretary-General said. “Access to affordable and reliable ICTs, including broadband, can facilitate economic, social and cultural development and achieve digital inclusion for all.” [/blockquote]
“The decisions we have taken here in Dubai, reflected in the Dubai Action Plan, will pave the way forward for our work” according to Brahima Sanou, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau. “They will give us direction, a shared vision and a clear plan of action.”