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ITU m-Powers sustainable development
New initiatives for development and disaster
management launched at ITU Telecom World 2012
Dubai, UAE, 16 October 2012 – ITU launched two new
initiatives aimed at achieving sustainable development by harnessing smart
information and communication technologies (ICT), in particular mobile
broadband.
The ITU initiatives, m-Powering Development and Smart Sustainable Development
Model, were launched on the Saving Lives Platform at ITU Telecom World 2012,
currently in session at the International Convention and Exhibition Centre in
Dubai.
M-Powering Development seeks to act as a catalyst to achieve sustainability.
ITU seeks to harness the power of state-of-the-art ICTs and smart solutions to
meet sustainable development goals. With mobile subscriptions having crossed the
6 billion mark, and with mobile broadband becoming increasingly available, new
opportunities can be grasped to improve health, education, agriculture, trade
and commerce. Mobile devices for m-Powering Development are seen both as
“empowering” users as well as “powering” development and economic activity.
ITU’s new Smart Sustainable Development Model (SSDM) initiative seeks to
demonstrate that linking ICT for Development (ICT4D) with ICT for Disaster
Management (ICT4DM) leads to increased sustainable development and optimal
resource use without additional financial investment. Smart solutions envisage
affordable models for ICT infrastructure development, network security and
enhanced cybersecurity as well as the development and deployment of new
applications, creation of an enabling environment through sound regulations,
capacity building and mitigating the effects of climate change while
strengthening emergency telecommunications.
Global roll out of the initiatives, which will be steered by ITU’s
Telecommunication Development Bureau, is expected by April 2014.
“In a world increasingly threatened by natural disasters brought on by global
climate change, we have to seize the opportunities available to us through
smart, cutting edge technologies to swing the tide towards achieving sustainable
development,” said ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun I. Touré. “The deployment of
mobile broadband goes beyond merely making a phone call; it brings about a
paradigm shift in social and economic empowerment and development. It is truly
m-Powering!”
Launching the m-Powering Development and SSDM initiatives at ITU Telecom World 2012, Brahima Sanou, Director of ITU’s
Telecommunication Development Bureau noted that these will hasten the transition
to a knowledge-based information society. “I am launching these two initiatives
to give a human face to ICTs by making sure that every citizen has affordable
access and uses these technologies in their daily lives and economic
activities,” Sanou said. “The ubiquitous uses of mobile phones can m-Power
communities around the world to improve their lives and enhance public safety
through improved disaster preparedness and response.”
Two partnership agreements marking the launch of the m-Powering and Smart
Sustainable Model initiatives were signed at ITU Telecom World 2012: one on
e-Health between ITU and the World Health Organization; and another between ITU
and the m-Education Alliance. BDT Director Brahima Sanou signed the agreement in
the presence of Government Ministers and private sector CEOs with Antony Bloome,
representing the m-Education Alliance, which has a membership of 15
organizations.
For more information, see
http://world2012.itu.int/
or contact:
Sanjay Acharya
Chief, Media Relations and Public Information, ITU
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