NEWS –  Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Secretary of the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India, was elected as co-chair of the Digital Innovation Board of ITU, focusing on fostering collaboration and innovation in the telecommunications and ICT sectors

HIGHLIGHTS

• The ITU established the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance for Digital Development, which includes the Digital Innovation Board, Digital Transformation Lab, and Network of Acceleration Centres, aimed at promoting innovation and entrepreneurship for a more inclusive digital future.
• India is actively participating in ITU activities, hosting the Global Innovation Centre at the ITU Area Office in New Delhi and coordinating efforts of Network of Acceleration Centres worldwide.
• India engaged in bilateral meetings with Japan and Bahrain, discussing collaboration in areas such as AI, 5G use cases, cybersecurity, and developing a framework for trusted products, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in the ICT sector.

INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION

• ITU is a UN agency for ICTs, with 193 Member States and over 1000 entities. It’s headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, established in 1865, with global offices
• ITU facilitates global connectivity by managing radio spectrum, developing technical standards, and enhancing digital access in underserved areas. They promote international cooperation, knowledge sharing, capacity building, and technology access
• ITU’s work is vital for modern life, supporting daily technologies like mobile phones, Internet, navigation, and weather forecasting. Despite this, 2.6 billion people lack access to such technologies, especially in developing nations. ITU focuses on closing this digital gap through universal connectivity and sustainable digital transformation.