World Telecommunications Day: Empowering Least-Developed Countries With Help Of ICTs
World Telecommunications Day is an annual United Nations observance that celebrates the importance of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in our lives. It is celebrated each year on May17, which marks the anniversary of the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention in 1865.
The theme for World Telecommunications Day, 2023, is ‘Empowering the Least-Developed Countries through Information and Communications Technologies’. This year’s theme focuses on the importance of ICTs in helping bridge the digital divide and empowering people in the least-developed countries.
ICTs can play a vital role in improving the lives of people in the least-developed countries of the world. They can be used to provide access to education, healthcare and other essential services. ICTs can also be used to promote economic development and create jobs. However, there are still many challenges that need to be addressed in order to ensure that everyone in the least-developed countries has access to ICTs. These challenges include:
1. High costs of access
2. Lack of infrastructure
3. Lack of skills
4. Lack of awareness
World Telecommunications Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of these challenges and to call for action to address them. It is also an opportunity to celebrate the progress that has been made in bringing ICTs to the least-developed countries.
Here, in a nutshell, are some things everyone should know about World Telecommunications Day:
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It is celebrated annually on May 17
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The theme for World Telecommunications Day, 2023, is ‘Empowering the Least-Developed Countries through Information and Communications Technologies’
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ICTs can play a vital role in improving the lives of people in the least-developed countries
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There are still many challenges that need to be addressed in order to ensure that everyone in the least-developed countries has access to ICTs
Infrastructure that a country requires to improve its information and communications systems includes:
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Reliable, affordable Net connection: This is the foundation of any ICT infrastructure. Without a reliable and affordable Internet connection, it is impossible to access and use other ICT services
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Robust telecommunications network: This includes a network of wired and wireless telecommunications infrastructure—such as cables, towers and routers. This network is essential for transmitting data and voice communications
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Adequate computing power: This includes computers, servers and other devices used to store, process and transmit data
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Knowledgeable and skilled workforce: This includes people with the knowledge and skills to design, build and maintain ICT infrastructure
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A supportive policy environment: This includes policies that encourage investment in ICT infrastructure and promote the use of ICTs
In addition to this infrastructure, there are a number of other factors that can contribute to the improvement of a country’s information and communications systems. These include:
a. Strong government commitment: The government can play a key role in promoting the development of ICT infrastructure and services. This can be done through investment, regulations and public awareness campaigns
b. Investments by private sector: The private sector can also play a major role in the development of ICT infrastructure. This can be done through the construction and operation of telecommunications networks, data centres and other ICT facilities
c. International cooperation: Countries can also cooperate to share expertise and resources in order to improve their ICT infrastructure. This can be done through bilateral agreements, multilateral initiatives and the work of international organizations
The improvement of a country’s information and communications systems can have many benefits. By investing in ICT infrastructure, countries can improve their economic growth, education, healthcare, government services and social cohesion.
1) Increased economic growth: ICTs can help to boost economic growth by improving productivity, efficiency and innovation
2) Improved education, healthcare: ICTs can help improve education and healthcare by providing access to information and resources that were previously unavailable
3) Enhanced government services: ICTs can help improve government services by making them more efficient, accessible and transparent
4) Strengthened social cohesion: ICTs can help to strengthen social cohesion by providing a platform for communications and collaboration
However complex and challenging a task the improvement of a country’s information and communications systems is, the benefits of doing so are significant.
(The author of this article is a Defence, Aerospace & Political analyst)
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Putin meets Iran's FM Araghchi, says Russia ready to do its best to help bring peace to West Asia
Moscow (PTI): Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday met Russian President Vladimir Putin, who hailed the Iranian people for fighting bravely and heroically for their sovereignty and said Moscow is ready to do its best to help bring peace to West Asia as soon as possible.
Araghchi, who held talks with Omani and Pakistani leadership before arriving in Russia, met Putin in St. Petersburg and thanked him for supporting Iran, state-owned TASS news agency reported.
"Russia is ready to do everything in its power to ensure that peace in the Middle East is achieved as soon as possible," Putin said during his meeting with Araghchi, which was also attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Revealing that he received a message from Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei last week, Putin asked Araghchi to convey his "gratitude for this message and best wishes for his health and well-being."
He praised the Iranian people for fighting "bravely and heroically" for their sovereignty, Iran's state-run PRESS TV reported.
"We really hope that, based on the courage and desire for independence, the Iranian people, under the guidance of the new leader, will weather this difficult period of trials and peace will come,” Putin said.
He also stressed that Russia “intends to maintain” its strategic relations with Iran.
Araghchi said that the world witnessed Iran’s strength in countering the US during the recent war, and that the Islamic Republic is a "stable and powerful establishment."
"With their courage, the Iranian people succeeded in resisting the US aggression and will be able to endure it,” he said.
He said that it became clear that Iran has “great friends and allies” like Russia, and conveyed “warmest greetings” from Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian to the Russian leader.
Araghchi said relations between Moscow and Tehran represent a “strategic partnership at the highest level” and will continue to develop "regardless of circumstances."
"We are grateful to you for the solid and strong positions in support of the Islamic Republic of Iran," he said.
Foreign Minister Lavrov said that the talks between President Putin and the Iranian Foreign Minister were "useful and constructive."
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov later said that Russia is "ready to provide any good offices, any mediation services that are acceptable to the parties."
"We will be ready to do everything so that ultimately peace ensues, guaranteed peace, and that there is no return to hostilities," Peskov was quoted as saying by TASS.
He was asked how Moscow can assist in future negotiations on the Iranian settlement.
Araghchi arrived in Russia after his whirlwind trip to Islamabad, which, according to him, was “very productive” and involved “good consultations" with Pakistan's Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, amid uncertainty over the second round of peace talks to resolve the war in West Asia.
"We held good consultations with our friends in Pakistan. The trip was successful. We assessed the outcome of our recent (meetings) and discussed in what direction and under what conditions talks can move on,” Araghchi said in a video posted on his Telegram channel upon his arrival in St Petersburg.
Referring to the second round of talks between the US and Iran to resolve the conflict in West Asia, Araghchi said: "Developments have taken place in the negotiations."
"Despite some progress in earlier rounds, the talks failed to reach their objectives due to the Americans' approach, the excessive demands they made, and the wrong approaches they adopted. Therefore, it was necessary to consult with our friends in Pakistan to review the latest situation,” Iran's official news agency IRNA quoted him as saying.
He said that the trip to Pakistan was a good opportunity to review developments related to the US-Israeli war against Iran, expressing confidence that “these consultations and coordination between the two countries will be highly significant.”
Araghchi arrived at St. Petersburg's Pulkovo Airport early Monday, where he was welcomed by Russian officials and Iran’s ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali, the report said.
The first round of peace talks between Iran and the US, held on April 11 and 12, failed to bring the desired result for the parties to the conflict.
The Iranian minister arrived in Islamabad for the second time on Sunday after a short visit to Oman, where he held talks with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said on security in the Strait of Hormuz and diplomatic efforts to end the Iran-US conflict.
After Araghchi left Pakistan for Oman on Saturday, President Donald Trump announced that US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would no longer be going to Islamabad for talks with Iran, contending that Washington held all the cards on the matter.
Trump on Sunday reiterated that the US and Iranian officials can talk by phone for a peace solution to the conflict.
On Tuesday, Trump extended the two-week ceasefire with Iran indefinitely to give Tehran more time to prepare a unified proposal to end the war, just hours before the truce was set to expire.
The war began when the US and Israel jointly attacked Iran on February 28, killing Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several top commanders. The retaliation by the Islamic Republic extended the war to the entire Gulf region.
