Azerbaijan attends WSIS
By Nigar Orujova
Representatives of Azerbaijan's Ministry of Information and High Technologies have participated in the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+10 High Level Event) held in the ITU Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland.
The event reviewed progress on the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) over the last ten years and set priorities for the post-2015 development agenda.
The high-level event, coordinated by ITU and co-organized by ITU, UNESCO, UNCTAD and UNDP, was attended by more than 100 delegates from various countries.
"Information and communication technologies have long been recognized as key enablers for bridging the digital divide and achieving the three dimensions of sustainable development: economic growth, environmental balance and social inclusion," said Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations.
"We must do everything in our power to increase access to ICTs and broadband connectivity across the world, including reaching people in remote areas, land-locked countries, small island developing states and the least developed countries," he added.
"This will empower millions of people and enable us to meet our development goals in the post-2015 era," he noted.
Chief of department at Azerbaijan's Ministry Bakhtiyar Mammadov delivered a speech at the forum.
Mammadov spoke about the ICT policy, reforms, and actions held by the ministry in Azerbaijan as well as preparation of national strategies aimed to develop the sector.
Referring to the participation of Azerbaijan in Trans-Eurasian Information Super Highway Project (TASIM) of regional importance, Mammadov specifically mentioned the national projects, such as satellite and broadband internet projects.
WSIS+10 Statement on Implementation of WSIS Outcomes reviewed progress over the past ten years.
The statement reaffirmed the importance of ICTs in the further development of the information society, stimulating innovations, empowering different groups of people in developed and developing countries, providing access to information, and fostering economic and social growth.
It invited UN organizations and stakeholders to take full advantage of ICTs in addressing the development challenges of the 21st century and to recognize them as cross-cutting enablers for achieving the three pillars of sustainable development: economic growth, environmental balance and social inclusion.