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ITU launches annual award recognizing leadership in
sustainable development through ICTs
Celebrating the power of information and communications technology
to drive the global 2030 development agenda
New York, 27 September 2015 – ITU emphasized the vital role
that information and communication technology (ICT) will play in meeting the new
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) at a special award ceremony held at UN
Headquarters, New York yesterday which officially recognized nine Heads of
State/Heads of Government for their efforts to improve access to ICT networks
and services.
The ICTs in Sustainable Development Award
re-affirms ITU’s commitment to enabling development through ICTs. Recipients of
the prestigious award included:
- H.E. Mr Ali Bongo Ondimba, President of
the Gabonese Republic
- H.E. Mr Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya
- H.E. Mr Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda
-
H.E. Mr Tabaré Vázquez, President of the Eastern Republic of
Uruguay
- H.E. Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of the People’s Republic
of Bangladesh
- H.E. Mr Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, Prime Minister of the
Republic of Fiji
- H.E. Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak, Prime
Minister of Malaysia
- H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the
Kingdom of Thailand
- H.E. Mr Meltek Sato Kilman Livtuvanu, Prime Minister of the
Republic of Vanuatu.
The award was conferred by ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao at a Gala Dinner
hosted by the Global Sustainability Foundation (GSF), which celebrated ITU’s
role in ‘Connecting the World’. Speakers at the event heralded the catalytic
role that ICTs play in the achievement of the SDGs.
“The leaders recognized at this event set the benchmark for improving access,
affordability and application of ICTs to drive socio-economic development,” said
ITU’s Zhao. “With the international community on the brink of agreeing a bold
2030 agenda, it is clear ICTs have a fundamental role to play in the achievement
of the new Sustainable Development Goals. ITU will be doing everything in its
power to support our members – both government and private industry – in driving
sustainable development through ICTs, and will work tirelessly to ensure the
benefits of ICTs are available and accessible to all the world’s people.”
ICTs play a pivotal role in achieving the post-2015 development agenda,
enabling access to key development tools. E-education platforms help poor and
remote populations to access to education and digital literacy skills, opening
the world of employment. Emergency telecommunications facilitate key
communications for natural disasters, helping to effectively coordinate relief
efforts. mHealth tools open access to medical care, both for doctors and
patients, reducing costs for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of
non-communicable diseases, and long-term and preventable illnesses.
The awards were presented following a full day of events including the
Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development’s bi-annual meeting and the
launch of an ITU 150th Anniversary exhibition which is housed in the Main Hall
of the United Nations Headquarters.
Watch ITU’s new video ‘ICTs for a Sustainable World’
here.
Find out how ICTs can accelerate progress towards each of the 17 SDGs:
http://www.itu.int/en/sustainable-world/Pages/default.aspx
For more information, please contact:
Sarah Parkes
Chief, Media Relations and Public Information
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About ITU...
About the Global Sustainability Foundation
The Global Sustainability Foundation (GSF) is a not-for-profit entity
dedicated to ensuring that human beings have access to the tools, knowledge, and
opportunities to empower themselves and their communities, build resilient
societies that protect our environment, honor cultural and social diversity, and
cultivate social and economic development. Through collaboration with a global
network of actors and institutions, with a wide range of resources and a wealth
of aggregated knowledge and information, the GSF aspires to become a leading
international resource for sustainable development. The GSF will undertake to
organize and execute tangible initiatives that galvanize development under each
of its “Three Pillars”: Science & Technology, Resources & Environment, and
Social & Cultural. Through such a holistic approach to sustainable development,
the GSF affirms the fundamental right of all people to live harmoniously with
justice and dignity.
www.GSFoundation.org