The Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation Forum 2014 event renews calls for a greater role for ICTs in social empowerment.
Participants at the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation’s Annual Forum at Dhaka, praised the Organisation for the success of this year’s event, which is held in Bangladesh for the first time. The event focused primarily on the need for greater efforts in the use of ICTs as tools for social empowerment.
“If we want to achieve double-digit economic growth, the unlimited opportunities of a technology-based, creative economy are calling us, and we can’t afford to miss the train”, said The Honourable Zunaid Ahmed Palak MP, Bangladesh’s State Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology as he called for stronger and wider collaboration between key sectors.
“I do not believe that ICTs have a sufficient place in the global development goals beyond 2015, and Commonwealth countries will consult to explore how more commitment can be made to ICTs”, said Professor Tim Unwin, Secretary-General of the CTO in his closing remarks.
The event was attended by over 200 participants from Commonwealth countries and beyond, including Bhutan, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia and USA.
“An excellent opportunity to be appraised of key developments in several ICT areas” – Cris Seecheran, Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad & Tobago.
“A great place for sharing and gathering ideas and knowledge among Commonwealth countries” – Morshed Noman, The Daily Prothom Alo, Bangladesh.
“The CTO facilitates excellent networking opportunities among actors in the field” – Shahid Akbar, Bangladesh Institute of ICT in Development.
“Great event for networking with regulators and ministries of ICTs” – Bilel Jamoussi, ICT Ministry, Tunisia.
“The event was well managed” – Josephine Anuwa, Nigerian Communications Commission.
“Educating and mind opening sessions” – Chungu Vestus, Zambian Information and Communication Technology Authority.
Held every year in a Commonwealth country, the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation Forum is the annual gathering of the 53-group of member countries where they discuss common ICT issues. Announcement of the 2015 location is expected at the end of the Organisation’s Council meeting also taking place this week in Dhaka, on 11 – 12 September 2014.
