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How ITU’s Telecommunication Standardization Sector is working towards the Connect 2030 Agenda

Inclusivity | Innovation & Creativity

*Today, ITU marks World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD). This year’s theme, “Connect 2030: ICTs for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)” focuses on the five strategic goals of the Connect 2030 Agenda: growth, inclusiveness, sustainability, innovation and partnership.

Here is how ITU’s Standardization Sector (ITU-T) is working to achieve the Connect 2030 Agenda.

2020 is a key milestone for the ICT industry, and COVID-19 has increased the significance of this milestone.

We see the need for meaningful connectivity. We have seen the beginnings of a truly connected life, with more independent access to business, education and healthcare, and much more social interaction in virtual space.

We see the importance of developing our ICT infrastructure, and connecting the many people around the world still not using the Internet.

But we also see the need to improve the quality of connected life – the need to deliver high-quality ICT experiences and safeguard security and privacy.

The next decade of innovation will build on IMT-2020/5G systems, massive-scale Internet of Things, and AI and Machine Learning. We will continue innovating to achieve Smart Sustainable Cities and Communities.

Digital transformation is key to the SDGs.

Inclusive, market-responsive ICT standardization is more important than ever.

Working together in standardization is a key avenue for new partners to build mutual trust and understanding.

And new partners are moving forward together in ITU standardization work for sectors such as energy; transport; healthcare; financial services; agriculture; and, of course, smart cities.

I welcome you to join the ITU standardization community

ITU standards provide common platforms for growth and innovation.

Working together, thinking in a multidisciplinary way, we can ensure that ITU standards help everyone, everywhere, to share in the ICT advances changing our world.

I would like applaud ITU members for their perseverance through the challenges brought on by COVID-19.

2020 has offered yet more evidence of the enduring importance of ITU’s work, and yet more evidence of ITU members’ dedication to this work.

Thank you.

I look forward to the next decade of our work together.

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