Permanent Mission of India
Geneva
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Update on India’s participation in World Summit on Information Society Forum-2017 (WSIS) at Geneva, Switzerland
Press Release
The highlight of the 3rd day (14 June 2017) at WSIS Forum-2017 was Shri Manoj Sinha’s statement on ‘Implementing WSIS Action lines for achieving SDGs’ during the Ministerial Round Table. Shri Sinha particularly drew attention of the Ministers across the world, towards the unfinished work of Tunis Agenda and need of migrating from ‘Information Societies’ to ‘knowledge societies’ so as to ensure that information is not only created and disseminated but also put to the service of mankind. In order to implement this ambitious agenda, he called for establishing ‘solidarity fund’ and ‘technology facilitation mechanism’.
Shri Sinha urged developing countries, particularly Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Land Locked Developing Countries (LLDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to exploit the advantages of ICT in their governance and social programming’s as these are low hanging fruits with potential to provide exponentially higher returns over the traditional system.
Shri Manoj Sinha addressing Ministers Roundtable on ‘Implementing WSIS Action lines for achieving SDGs’
In order to implement the WSIS+10 Agenda, Shri Sinha reminded of the commitments made in Addis Ababa Action Agenda on financing for development, where international cooperation and flow of financial resources from developed countries towards developing countries were specifically agreed. He also called for ensuring central role of governments in managing internet security and urgent need for developing ‘common minimum agreement’ for cyber security issues.
Shri Sinha specially pitched for ensuring global nature of investment competencies, technology, open and secure internet so as to effectively use ICTs for implementation of SDGs. He called for free, fair and speedy movement of expertise for attaining the WSIS goals and assured full support of India, in this regard.
He termed, building global consensus to address priorities and challenges; development of national plans and effective participation of stakeholders at all levels of governance as key to successful implementation of ICTs. Highlighting the exponential improvement in ease of doing business under the visionary leadership of Shri Narendra Modi, he invited the world leaders to invest in India and welcomed the developing countries particularly LDCs to come forward and learn from the technology, processes & procedures, and best practices followed by India in harnessing ICTs for fulfilling its developmental and social agenda.
Speaking at High level policy session, Secretary (Telecom), Ms. Aruna Sundrarajan pitched for building an environment of confidence and security for ICT which has become the lifeline of the world. She highlighted India’s holistic approach in addressing ICT security issues through comprehensive regulatory framework in financial sector, and through proper telecom infrastructure, enforcement mechanism etc.
Shri Manoj Sinha holding bilateral meeting with Ethiopian Minister on the sidelines of WSIS Forum
On the sidelines of WSIS Forum 2017, Shri Sinha met Dr. Debretsion Measho, Ethiopian Minister of Communications and IT. Both sides agreed to draw up a list of priority areas for cooperation in ICT infrastructure development, technological up-gradation, development of Common Service Centers for G2C and learning of best practices followed by India. Shri Sinha invited the Ethiopian delegation to visit India at mutually convenient time, which was accepted.
Shri Manoj Sinha holding bilateral meeting with Iranian Minister on the sidelines of WSIS Forum
In the bilateral meeting with Mr. Mahmoud Vaezi, Iranian Minister for Information & Communication Technology, both sides agreed for setting up a Joint Working Group to examine potential areas of cooperation, updating the existing MoU of 1995, cooperation in the field of cyber security, ICT infrastructure development for making Iran hub for internet traffic of Central Asian Countries with rest of the world. Iran also sought India’s support to its candidature of ITU Council. It was decided to nominate Shri G.K. Upadhyay, Member (Technical), DoT andMr. Sherafat Adviser, as focal point to carry forward the points agreed during the meeting. Both sides also agreed to consult and closely cooperate at regional and international forums, on issues of common interest.
Shri G.K. Upadhyay, Member (Technical), DoT discussed issues of mutual interest with Mr. Shigenki Suzuki, Japanese Vice Minister for Policy Coordination, Ministry of Internal Affairs & Coordination along with other delegation members. Japan expressed keen interest in offering 5G standardization and regularization; machine to machine (M2M); Internet of Things (IOT); knowledge development & regulation; and cyber security coordination. Both sides agreed to examine these issues and work-out a plan to carry forward the cooperation in ICT sector.
Mr. Win Mlambo, Zimbabwean Deputy Minister for ICT, Postal and Courier Services expressed interest in furthering cooperation in ICT sector for connecting its rural areas with ICT infrastructure on the lines of Bharatnet. Zimbabwe sought technical, financial and regulatory expertise of India for using utilities like transmission lines for laying optic fibre cables. The Indian side was headed by Shri G.K. Upadhyay, Member (Technical) DoT for this meeting. India agreed to seriously consider the request made by Zimbabwe side.
The Meeting between Member (Technical) DoT and Mr. Rashid Ismailov, Russian Deputy Minister of Information and Communications explored cooperation in the field of IoT and M2M; brainstormed on ways and means for expanding cooperation and consultation in the field of cyber security. Russia expressed keen interest in several C-DOT products where Indian side agreed to share detailed technical information and continue this discussion. Shri G.K. Upadhyay, Member (Technical) DoT briefed about India plans to offer infrastructure to host the BRICS Institute of Future Networks and sought Russia’s support.
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