World Telecommunication and information society day
17 May 2010
Better city, better life with ICTs
Message from Dr Hamadoun Toure
Secretary-General
International Telecommunication Union
This Year marks the 145th anniversary of the establishment of ITU i am proud to be leading this dynamic organization, the specialized United Nations agency which defines the cutting edge of information & communication technologies- or ICTs- and is steadfastly committed to connecting the world to the benefits of the on going digital revolution.
ICT constantly reshaping the way the world communicates while creating the opportunities for a better life through long term, sustainable development, not least among the most vulnerable sections of our society.
In the urban context, ICTs have increasingly dictated lifestyles & contributed to the growth of trade & commerce, improved governance & municipal services, & revolutionized entertainment through the development of rapid communications, both mobile & fixed.
ICTs provide solutions to many of the problems facing cities even as they become magnets for migrating populations as well as contribute to making them more eco-friendly & economically viable. For many city dwellers, it is nearly impossible to imagine life without ICTs have reshaped the world, helping billions of people to live, work & play into he most creative ways, ICTs efficiencies in energy consumption & waste management, and &nbspnot least exchanging information and knowledge and at least 100 million slum dwellers by 2020.
By tapping into the huge potential of ICTs to improve the lives of &nbsppeople and by providing affordable and equitable access to information and knowledge to empower everyone to achieve their aspirations, administrations can help achieve harmony among the spatial, social and environmental aspects of cities and their inhabitants.
The world summit on the information society, which met in Geneva in 2003 and in Tunis in 2005, called upon countries to consider establishing national mechanisms to achieve universal access in both underserved rural and urban areas in order to bridge the digital divide. ITU is committed to connecting the world and to ensure that the benefits of ICT reach the remotest parts of the world, including the millions who remain unconnected in our teaming cities.
I urge you to celebrate this special 145th anniversary of ITU by focusing on connecting people around the world and harnessing the full potential of ICTs so that we can all enjoy a more productive, peaceful and-in every way- a better life.
Hamadoun I, Toure
ITU Secretary – General
