ITU Reviews 2021

(PART 2. THEMATIC BACKGROUNDERS)

Mona Safi-Harb, Gordon W. Roberts,
Microelectronics & Computer Systems Laboratory, McGill University, Canada

SYNCHROINFO JOURNAL. Volume 7, Number 3 (2021). P. 36-44.

Abstract

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs), driving innovation in ICTs together with 193 Member States and a membership of over 900 companies, universities, and international and regional organizations. Established over 150 years ago in 1865, ITU is the intergovernmental body responsible for coordinating the shared global use of the radio spectrum, promoting international cooperation in assigning satellite orbits, improving communication infrastructure in the developing world, and establishing the worldwide standards that foster seamless interconnection of a vast range of communications systems. For more information, visit www.itu.int.

Keywords: Accessibility to ICTs, Affordability, Artificial Intelligence for good, Climate change.

References

[1] http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/ publications/pdf/ageing/WPA2017_Highlights.pdf.
[2] http://www.who.int/pbd/deafness/activities/MLS/en.
[3] https://www.who.int/blindness/publications/ globaldata/en.
[4] https://www.who.int/deafness/estimates/en.
[5] https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities/article-9-accessibility.html.
[6] https://broadbandcommission.org/Documents/publications/ The%20ICT%20Opportunity%20for%20a%20Disability_Inclusive%20Development%20Framework.pdf.
[7] ITU-R Resolution 67-1 governs “Telecommunication/ICT accessibility for persons with disabilities and persons with specific needs”. https://www.itu.int/pub/R-RES-R.67-1-2019.
[8] Para 14, “Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, available at: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/21252030%20Agenda%20for%20Sustainable%20Development%20web.pdf.
[9] Para 14, “Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, available at: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/
content/documents/21252030%20Agenda%20for%20Sustainable%20Development%20web.pdf.
[10] https://climate.nasa.gov/evidence.
[11] https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/wp-content/ uploads/2017/05/Ocean-fact-sheet-package.pdf.
[12] https://news.itu.int/lets-rethink-e-waste-waste-free-economy.
[13] https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/collateral/service-provider/visual-networking-index-vni/white-paper-c11-738429.html.
[7-14] OECD: https://www.oecd.org/sti/ieconomy/technology-foresight-forum-2014.htm.
[15] https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/collateral/service-provider/visual-networking-index-vni/white-paper-c11-738429.html.
[16] https://sustainability.fb.com/innovation-for-our-world/sustainable-data-centers.
[17] “A New Circular Vision for Electronics – Time for a Global Reboot”, 24 January 2019, available at: https://www.itu.int/en/mediacentre/Pages/2019-PR01.aspx.
[18] The French Intergovernmental Expert Group on Climate Change (GIEC) and figures quoted by the French Society of Nuclear Energy (SFEN) (which consists of industry professionals), “Climat: faut-il sortir du nucleaire pour sauver la planete ? Sept arguments pour comprendre le debat”, 9 July 2019, at: https://www.francetvinfo.fr/societe/nucleaire/climat-faut-il-sortir-du-nucleaire-pour-sauver-la-planete-sept-arguments-pour-comprendre-le-debat_3504835.html.
[19] https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-T/climatechange/symposia/201905/ Pages/default.aspx.