ITU celebrates 145th anniversary

ITU marked its 145th anniversary with the presentation of the World Telecommunication and Information Society Award to Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak; Chairman and CEO of China Mobile, Mr Wang Jianzhou; and Mr Robert Kahn, President and CEO of the Corporation for National Research Initiatives. The laureates were recognized for their contribution to the ongoing digital revolution and their dedication to promoting information and communication technologies (ICT) as a means of providing a better life for humanity.

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) marks the establishment of ITU on 17 May, 1865. It brings attention to the potential of ICTs in meeting the development and economic aspirations of societies and on the importance of the Internet as a global resource. This year’s theme for WTISD, “Better City, Better Life with ICT”, is in keeping with the overarching theme – Better City, Better Life – of the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, China where the global ceremony commemorating the occasion was held.

Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak has made connectivity one of his priorities. As part of the New Economic Model for Malaysia, he has placed a high priority on strengthening ICT infrastructure. His administration has supported the work of ITU in strengthening global cybersecurity through the IMPACT Centre in Cyberjaya near Kuala Lumpur. In his message delivered at the ceremony, the Prime Minister noted that the 145th anniversary of ITU, the oldest agency of the United Nations family, highlights the tremendous progress we have achieved as a global community and further paves the way for the opportunities and potential ICTs present to us in achieving our goals of social and economic development. “In this increasingly interconnected and networked world that we live in, it has become critically important for us to keep abreast with the latest technological advancements and continue to tap the huge potential of ICT to build an open, inclusive and knowledge-based society,” Prime Minister Najib said. “It is also apt to note that this year’s theme ‘Better city, better life with ICTs’ becomes a timely reminder for us that the digital divide exists not only in the rural areas but also amongst those less fortunate in the cities.”

The Award was accepted on behalf of the Prime Minister by the Minister of Information, Communication and Culture of Malaysia, Mr Rais Yatim.