Pre-cum-Mains GS Foundation Program for UPSC 2026 | Starting from 14th Nov. 2024 Click Here for more information
Source-This post on India as co-chair of Digital Innovation Board has been created based on the article “International Telecommunication Union elects India as co-chair of its Digital Innovation Board” published in “PIB” on 21 March 2024.
Why in the news?
Dr Neeraj Mittal was unanimously elected as co-chair of the Digital Innovation Board of International Telecommunication Union. It is formed under the aegis of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance for Digital Development.
About Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance for Digital Development
Started by– International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Objective– To respond to significant unmet needs of ITU Membership in the area of innovation, as articulated in the Kigali Action Plan adopted at the World Telecommunication Development Conference 2022 (WTDC-22) and the Outcomes of the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2022 (PP-22).
What are the main vehicles of the alliance?
The Alliance has three main vehicles: –
1) Digital Transformation Lab
2) Network of Acceleration Centres-ITU has selected 17 organizations from around the world to host Network of Acceleration Centres with the Global Innovation Centre at ITU Area Office and Innovation Centre, New Delhi. It aims to coordinate the efforts of Network Acceleration centres around the globe.
3) Digital Innovation Board-It is established to provide strategic guidance, expertise and advocacy regarding its mission of building critical local enablers and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in digital development.
The Digital Innovation Board comprises Ministers and Vice Ministers of Telecom/ICT of 23 Member Countries of ITU spanning Asia, Europe, Africa, North and South America.
About International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
| Aspect | Details |
| Introduction | It is the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies. |
| Nature of body | It is an intergovernmental organization that coordinates between governments and private sector bodies with respect to global telecommunication and information communication technology (ICT) services. |
| Established | It was established in 1865 as the International Telegraph Union. In 1947 the ITU became a specialized agency of the United Nations. |
| Headquarters | Geneva, Switzerland. |
| Membership | It has a membership of 193 countries and nearly 800 private sector entities and academic institutions |
| Function | 1) It allocates global radio spectrum and satellite orbits; 2) It helps incoordination and setting of technical standards related to telecommunication/ICT; 3) It strives to improve access to ICTs in underserved communities worldwide; |
| India and ITU | India has been an active member of the ITU since 1869 and has been a regular member of the ITU Council since 1952. |
Read more-Telecom Sector Reforms
UPSC Syllabus-International Organization
