Minister of Information,Communications Technology and Cyber Security Honorable Kazembe Kazembe with hundreds of Zimbabwean guests are attending the global International Telecommunications Union(ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference in Dubai as his first international duty since he was sworn in. A Zimbabwean national, Mr Cosmas Zavazava, is contesting for the top post.
International Telecommunications Union is an United Nations agency that specialises in issues concerning information and communications technology.
It's held in a different city each year, and this year for the first time it's at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The conference attendees will be helping the ITU to bring the benefits of modern communication technology to people around the world, in a safe and affordable way.
Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are already empowering billions of individuals around the world – by providing access to education, health care, e-government and mobile banking, among many other key services.
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the UAE Telecommunications Regulatory Authority His Excellency Talal Humaid Belhoul spoke on behalf of behalf of the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum the impact of the ITU.
"Holding the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in the United Arab Emirates is a testament from the ITU and the international telecommunications community to the UAE's achievements in the field of rational use of telecommunications technology for the benefit of humanity, state building, as well as the economy and civilization," he said.
ITU is unique in the United Nations family in bringing together 193 Member States, over 700 private sector companies and more than 150 academic institutions. It plays an integral role in enabling the development and implementation of ICTs worldwide.
Held after every four years, leaders are elected at the Conference.
Zimbabwean candidate Dr Cosmas Zavazava is vying for the Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) post in the ITU in elections to be held later this week alongside candidates like Doreen Bogdan-Martin from the United States, William Ijeh from Nigeria and Jean Philèmon Kissangou from the Republic of Congo.
More than 2500 participants are expected to attend including heads of government, ministers and other delegates from most of ITU's 193 Member States, as well as representatives from private companies, academic institutions and national, regional and international bodies.
The Conference started today and runs till the 16th of November 2018.
