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Celebrating United Nations Day at WTSA-24

AI Standards | Event & News

By Alexia Hendrickx

 

This year’s United Nations Day Celebration coincided with the conclusion of one of the most significant World Telecommunication Standardization Assemblies (WTSA-24) in history.

Addressing attendees at the Digital Wave Stage in New Delhi, India on 24 October, ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin joined a host of UN partners to highlight the enduring legacy and values of the United Nations, emphasizing peace, cooperation, and sustainability as guiding principles.

“It’s precisely this vision of nations coming together on an equal footing to reach consensus on the most important challenges of the day that those who ratified the UN Charter 79 years ago dared to pursue,” said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin, drawing parallels between the global cooperation that birthed the UN and the collaborative spirit evident at WTSA-24.

This year’s WTSA-24 brought together 160+ Member States, 12 UN agencies, industry leaders, and academics to shape the future of technical standards. The adoption of new resolutions on emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) underscored a collective commitment to leveraging technology as a force for good.

Bogdan-Martin reflected on ITU’s 160-year history, positioning the organization and the UN at the forefront of the digital era. She underscored the importance of advancing universal connectivity, sustainable digital transformation, and striking a balance between the benefits and risks of emerging technologies. These objectives align closely with ITU’s strategic goals and the broader mission of the UN.

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As part of the celebration, Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator for India, took the stage to celebrate India’s emergence as a global leader in telecommunications and digital infrastructure. He commended India’s remarkable strides in digital inclusion through initiatives like the Digital India campaign and transformative platforms such as e-Sanjeevani. Reflecting on the event’s significance, Sharp noted that having hosted WTSA-24 in India was a testament to the country’s growing global influence, particularly in setting benchmarks for collaborative technological progress.

“India’s leadership exemplifies how digital transformation can be a force for good, bringing together governments, industries, and civil society to build a more inclusive and sustainable future,” said Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator for India.

Dr. Rodrigo Ofren, WHO Representative to India, provided a glimpse into how digital health technologies are reshaping healthcare systems. He highlighted India’s innovative use of AI in tuberculosis diagnostics, telemedicine platforms that have facilitated millions of consultations, and digital health IDs that promise interoperability and privacy. These advancements are not just transforming public healthcare but are also providing scalable models for other nations to follow.

In a similar vein, Arti Sahni, Chief of Mission for UNHCR India, spotlighted the role of technology in refugee protection. She described initiatives to bridge the digital divide, such as AI-driven tools that prioritize vulnerable cases and improve communication with refugees. Sahni stressed the importance of digital inclusion in empowering displaced populations to access education, employment, and essential services, noting that “connectivity is not a luxury but a necessity.”

The event also delved into the role of emerging technologies in combating climate change and achieving sustainable development goals. Dr. Pry Sony, Head of the Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT), discussed how technologies like AI and IoT are pivotal for addressing the challenges facing the Asia-Pacific region. Despite its status as a hub for innovation, she noted that progress in adopting these solutions needs to accelerate to meet the region’s development goals. Collaborative efforts, regional partnerships, and scaling successful innovations are essential steps to ensure sustainable outcomes.

As the world approaches critical milestones, including the 20-year review of the World Summit on the Information Society and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals deadline, Bogdan-Martin called for a recommitment to the values enshrined in the UN Charter. “It is up to us, the peoples of the United Nations, to ensure that emerging technologies reaffirm the values that unite us: peace, cooperation, equality, sustainability, and hope,” she said.

The United Nations Day Celebration served as a powerful reminder of the enduring principles that unite nations and the transformative potential of technology when guided by shared values. It was a call to action for governments, industries, and individuals to work collectively toward a future where progress is inclusive, sustainable, and firmly anchored in the ideals of the United Nations.