Presidential Secretariat of Sri Lanka

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2020 Message

I am pleased to extend my warm greetings and felicitations as Sri Lanka joins the rest of the world in celebrating The World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2020 under the apt theme of “Connect 2030: ICTs for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”.

The global understanding of development is moving towards Sustainable Development which promotes prosperity, economic opportunity, protection of the environment and greater social well-being. This ensures that the development should be able to fulfill the needs of present generations without compromising the rights to fulfill the needs of future generations. In this context, Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have become great allies in the efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The “2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)” adopted by the United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) recognizes that the proliferation of ICTs associated with global interconnectedness has great potential in accelerating the human progress and bridging the digital divide.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has been instrumental in strengthening the role of ICTs to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs through the shared global vision “Connect 2030 Agenda: ICTs for SDGs” and its five strategic goals – Growth, Inclusiveness, Sustainability, Innovation and Partnership. I am glad to note that the WTISD theme for this year focuses on specific ICT enabled solutions and emerging technology trends for fostering social, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. I am confident that this initiative would allow ITU member countries and their policy makers to bridge the gap between science and policy for embracing ICT advancements in the transition for smart and sustainable development.

I would like to convey my best wishes for the 155th anniversary of ITU and wish all stakeholders a meaningful World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2020.

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