TODAY IS THE WORLD TELECOMMUNICATION DAY

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[01:16 pm] 17 May, 2006

The annual observance of World Telecommunication Day, marking the
founding of the International Telecommunication Union on 17 May 1865,
has drawn attention to the work of ITU and the broader challenges
of global communication. From the days of the telegraph through
space-age communication, and now in cyberspace, ITU has helped to
connect the world.

In recognition of this evolution, the World Summit on the Information
Society, which was held in two phases (in Geneva in 2003 and in
Tunis in 2005), proposed that 17 May henceforth be celebrated as
World Information Society Day. The Summit’s aim was to build an open,
inclusive, people-centred, knowledge-based information society that
will accelerate the pace of development. This occasion now highlights
the link between the great potential of information and communication
technologies and our goal of accelerating the pace of development.

The Summit recognized the importance of building confidence and trust
in the use of ICTs. This is reflected in the theme for this year’s
observance, /promoting global cybersecurity/. In an increasingly
interconnected and networked world, it has become critically important
to safeguard our vital systems and infrastructures against attack by
cybercriminals, while instilling confidence in online transactions in
order to promote trade, commerce, banking, telemedicine, e-government
and a host of other e-applications. As this depends on the security
practices of each and every networked country, business and citizen,
we need to develop a global culture of cybersecurity.

I therefore urge all Member States and stakeholders to help
increase global awareness of cybersecurity, and to develop an
international network of initiatives and ICT-based countermeasures
to enhance security and build trust in the use of information and
communication technologies. This is essential for the continued
growth and development of our economies, and especially important
for developing countries.

More broadly, on this annual observance, let us all pledge to connect
the unconnected and build a free and safe information society that
will spur development for all the world’s people.