ITU local area office will accelerate the structured implementation of ITU’s development programmes
The global telecom body International Telecommunication Union (ITU) will set up its local area office for South Asia in the national capital. ITU South Asia Area Office and Technology Innovation Centre are going to be established in New Delhi. The official announcement was made at the 4th BRICS Communications Ministers Meeting held in Durban, South Africa.
This local area office is intended to play a key role in organising capacity and capability building programmes for the region. It will also accelerate the structured implementation of ITU’s development programs with a focus on Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Land-Locked Developed Countries (LLDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and other similarly placed nations in the region.
ITU local area office will serve nine countries
The ITU South Asia Office will serve nine countries including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Iran, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India. These nine countries together account for nearly 24 per cent of the global population. Moreover, India has been a member of ITU since 1869 and has also been a regular member of the ITU Council since 1952.
Manoj Sinha, Telecom minister commented that the establishment of ITU local area office would be an important milestone for them as it signified global recognition of the progress they have made in the field of ICT. He also mentioned that it placed on them the responsibility to work with their neighbouring countries to take the benefits of the rapid developments in the technology-driven industry for the people in the South Asia region.
ITU is a United Nations specialised agency for Information and Communication Technologies. ITU has a membership of 193 countries and nearly 800 private sector entities and academic institutions. The body freezes international standards on telecom technologies that are to be used globally.
