Mr. Onodera, Director-General of Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan,
Distinguished participants,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening. Thank you for joining us on this 'Information Session on Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Meaningful Connectivity". The work that we do on Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Meaningful Connectivity, Connect2Recover Initiative, is so critical that I describe it as our work with a human face as it contributes to Saving Lives.
WTDC-22 and PP-22 have both resolutions in support of this effort instructing us to focus on taking measures to mitigate the impact of natural hazards and epidemics through information and communication technologies. Further, in doing this work, we will also be implementing ITU's strategic goals of universal connectivity and sustainable digital transformation.
Today's Information Session aims to provide ITU Member States, Regulators, Sector Members and Academia in the African Region with insights into the work that we, in the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) passionately do, to enhance resilient digital infrastructure for meaningful connectivity.
Ladies and gentlemen,
At this point, I would like to signal the fundamental aspects of the importance of digital resiliency considering societal changes and looking at the inflection points that might well be occurring globally in this time of digital transformation.
COVID-19 pandemic serves as a global Case Study for us. Information and Communication Technologies played a critical role in education, health, commerce, and in keeping people connected. The pandemic – though extremely disruptive and damaging to public health and economies – nevertheless propelled a leap forward for society.
We now witness an acceleration in digital adoption and connectivity. This acceleration has the potential to stimulate economic growth and development, especially in developing economies - something we have learnt from the pandemic experience.
Distinguished Ladies and gentlemen,
So, what is our key lesson? It is that the indispensability of connectivity during the pandemic and in the post-pandemic recovery is clear and undisputed.
But there has been a downside with side effects, too.
For some, things actually got worse. The digital divide even deepened. Socio-economic groups that had no, or limited connectivity found themselves at a greater relative disadvantage than they were prior to the pandemic, given the shift online of processes, services and information provision.
We need to acknowledge this and prepare better for any other impending pandemic of this magnitude.
Two further aspects related to resilience are significant. We need to ensure that digital infrastructure and ecosystems have sufficient capacity to accommodate unexpected peaks in demands. We also need to ensure they can contribute towards the immediate response and rapid social and economic recovery.
In a nutshell, digital resiliency should be a priority item.
The goal is to always ensure that, but especially during unforeseen circumstances, our digital infrastructure and digital ecosystems are resilient. This means availing enough capacity to support critical applications and life-saving services. It also means affordable devices and access for everyone regardless of their individual resources.
The good thing is digital resiliency can be a win-win with multiple positive effects.
Building capacity now in the digital infrastructure sphere and encouraging attendant enabling policy and regulation not only means we can be better prepared for future emergencies.
2.7 billion people are still not connected. A large percentage of the unconnected are in the developing countries. The percentage of individuals using the internet in Africa is still only 33%. In other words, fewer than one third of the citizens have access to the internet, and almost 740 million remain offline.
At this point, let me recognize that the Connect2Recover initiative and the ongoing work is supported by five Member States and two Sector Members. We are grateful for the partnership with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan that not only was a pioneer in and funder of the Connect2Recover, but their continual support has immensely contributed to the wider ITU-D objectives and, the ITU Regional Initiatives in Africa.
Distinguished Participants,
Before I conclude, the Telecommunication Development Bureau provides technical assistance including the mapping of existing telecommunication infrastructure, helping countries to review their Internet Resilience, network resilience, and critical infrastructure; skills development to enhance digital skills, and facilitating exchange of knowledge and good practices through study groups.
Today, we will hear from colleagues on ways to increase digital resilience, enhancing readiness for natural hazards and the critical role of our work in capacity building. Let us use this session as a platform for knowledge sharing, and identification of key priority needs of ITU Member States in Africa. If we are to move forward, we must fight on three fronts: grow knowledge, build capacity, and forge partnerships.
Ladies and gentlemen,
To explain this, let me urge you to focus on sharing and adapting policy and regulatory approaches while building capacity and adapting digital strategies from a narrow focus on infrastructure to a holistic approach that also includes the other enablers of meaningful connectivity. In this context, we need to forge partnerships for universal and meaningful connectivity including for those living in remote areas so they may also be ready for future emergencies.
By prioritizing resilient digital infrastructure, we will also be broadening the possibilities offered by the Internet and ultimately inching closer to achieving SDGs.
Thank you.
