By Gift Mashoko

Minister of Information Communication Technology and Courier Services, Honourable Kazembe Kazembe is in Dubai where he is attending the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference 2018 (PP-18).

ITU is an agency of the United Nations (UN) whose purpose is to coordinate telecommunication operations and services throughout the world. It sets and publishes regulations and standards relevant to electronic communication and broadcasting technologies of all kinds including radio, television, satellite, telephone and the internet.

PP-18 is a supreme decision making organ of ITU which convenes every 4years. PP-18 establishes Strategic Plans and Basis for Budget. Out of 193 member states will be elected a management team comprising of Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary General three Directors in Radio Communication, Standardisation and Development, 48 Council Members and 12 Members of the Radio Regulation Board.

Zimbabwe’s nominated candidate Dr Cosmas Zavazava will contest for the ITU Director post and he is required  to discharge the Union’s twofold responsibility as a United Nations specialized agency and executing agency for implementing projects under the United Nations development system or other funding provisions.

This is done so as to facilitate and enhance ICT development by offering, organizing and coordinating technical cooperation and assistance activities. Zavazava, is the current Chief of Department, Project Support and Knowledge Management with ITU works in the Telecommunication Development Bureau of the ITU.

In his address, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, said “Your meeting will set the ITU path for the next four years as we strive together to build a more sustainable and inclusive Digital Economy for generations to come.

“We face a crucial challenge, harnessing the benefits of new technologies for all, while safeguarding against the risks from their misuse. Digital technologies have a crucial role to play in accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Together, we can nurture a digital future that is safe and beneficial for all,” he said.

ITU Secretary General Houlin Zhao, said that New Technologies will change how we live, work and learn in ways that are yet to be imagined. Zhao said the world was changing fast and that ITU is changing with it and that the new decade promises to bring even more transformative prospects than the last.

Minister Kazembe’s presence at ITU will certainly ensure the nation embarks in standardised regulations relevant to electronic communication and broadcasting technologies of all kinds including radio, television, satellite, telephone and the internet. That way Zimbabwe will not lag behind when it comes to ICT as it connects with other nations in the global village