Pretoria – Telecommunications and Postal Services Minister, Dr Siyabonga Cwele, has held a meeting with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Secretary General Zhao Houlin to discuss international Information and Communications Technology (ICT) developments and trends.
“Minister Cwele briefed Houlin 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,” department spokesperson Siya Qoza said.
The work being done will culminate in the publishing of an integrated ICT policy by the end of March 2016.
The meeting, which was held on Thursday in Pretoria, was aimed at strengthening relations between South Africa and the UN ICT multilateral institution.
South Africa will be hosting the African Telecommunication Union (ATU) from 17 to 19 June.
“We’ll actively participate in multilateral engagements because these platforms discuss practical challenges that are faced by our people,” Minister Cwele said.
He also briefed Houlin 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.
Houlin told 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.
“Africa is not waiting for donations. It is waiting for partnerships. Africa has great potential for development,” Houlin said.
He said the ITU is encouraging global partnerships including public and private sectors to join forces in Africa development.
Cyber security and internet governance issues were also discussed at the meeting. – SAnews.gov.za
