"Accelerating digital transformation in challenging times"
What: High-level panel to mark WTISD 2021
When: Monday, 17 May, 13:00 to 14:30 (CET)
Where: WSIS Forum 2021 virtual event
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) will be celebrated on 17 May with a virtual panel discussion as part of this year’s World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum.
The high-level panel aims to highlight the need for enhanced cooperation on information and communication technologies (ICTs) and telecommunication, both between countries and across different sectors.
Members and partners of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) are invited to showcase their actions and initiatives to accelerate digital transformation – not only to meet today’s challenges but to prepare for those in the future.
This year’s theme, “Accelerating digital transformation in challenging times”, emphasizes the key role of telecommunication and ICTs in building social resilience, with ITU’s membership stepping up to help save lives and sustain economies.
The WTISD 2021 event highlights how digital technologies can help the world build back better after COVID-19, as well as prepare for challenging times in the future.
Programme
13:00 – Event opening
WTISD 2021 video
Message from António Guterres, UN Secretary-General
Welcome Remarks – Houlin Zhao, Secretary-General, ITU
High-level Panel Discussion: “Accelerating digital transformation in challenging times”
Moderator: Malcolm Johnson, Deputy Secretary-General, ITU
Panelists:
H. E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana
Ms. Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Executive Director, United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)
Senator the Hon. Allyson West, Minister of Public Administration and Digital Transformation, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
H. E. Marek Zagórski, Secretary of State, Government Plenipotentiary for Cybersecurity, Chancellery of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland
H. E. Elmir Velizade, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Transport, Communications and High Technologies, Republic of Azerbaijan
Ms. Jessica Rosenworcel, Acting Chairwoman, Federal Communications Commission, United States of America
Mr. Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui, Federal Secretary, Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Mr. Robert Opp, Chief Digital Officer, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
14:25 – Event closing
The webinar registration is here: https://itu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_GdH78jLXRm-OaDBRf-XXXg
