Telecommunications and Postal Services Minister Dr Siyabonga Cwele hosted International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Secretary General Mr Zhao Houlin met to discuss international ICT developments and trends today in Pretoria.
The meeting is the first meeting Mr Zhao has held with the South African government after he was elected as the Secretary General of the ITU in October 2014. The meeting was to strengthen relations between South Africa and the UN ICT multilateral institution. Minister Cwele briefed Mr Zhao about the deployment and use of ICTs in South Africa, current project to implement SA Connect, the country’s broadband policy and the progress achieved to position South Africa at the centre of innovation and use of ICTs for socio-economic development. This work will culminate in the publishing of an integrated ICT Policy by the end of March 2016.
He also briefed him about South Africa’s collaboration with other BRICS countries in the field of the ICT, having hosted recently high level official visits with the ministers of Russia and China. He also briefed him that South Africa will be hosting the African Telecommunication Union (ATU) from 17 to 19 June 2015.
“We’ll actively participate in multilateral engagements because these platforms discuss practical challenges that are faced by our people,” said Minister Cwele.
Mr Zhao briefed Minister Cwele about ITU’s main programmes. He noted the progress that Africa has made in recent years in the deployment and use of ICTs and this was a welcome development that will change the face of the continent. Mr Zhao went on to point out that the development of the ICT small and medium businesses is the new initiative programme of the ITU.
“Africa is not waiting for donations. It is waiting for partnerships. Africa has great potential for development,” he said. He said the ITU is encouraging global partnerships including public and private sectors to join forces in Africa development. Minister Cwele and Mr Zhao discussed cyber security and internet governance issues and challenges. They agreed on a need for progress to address issues of internet governance which have dominated discussion for a considerable period of time now.
The two leaders noted that the ITU is the sole facilitator on WSIS Action Line C5 mandated to deal with cyber security issues at an international level.
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