The African Telecommunications Union (ATU) is the leading continental organization fostering the development of information and communication technologies infrastructure and services
The ITU World Telecommunication Policy Forum (WTPF) was established by the 1994 Kyoto Plenipotentiary Conference and is covered by the provisions of Resolution 2 of the 2002 Marrakesh Plenipotentiary Conference.
SPEECH BY MR. AKOSSI, SECRETARY GENERAL ATU AT THE GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE ICT TRAINING PROGRAM FOR AFRICAN PROFESSIONALS IN EGYPT ON 13/05/08.
GUEST OF HONOUR H.E. DR. TAREK KAMEL, MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIOS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, DIRECTOR OF NTI DR. AHMED EL SHERBINI, DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS DIV MS. GHADA HOWAIDY, TRAINING PARTICIPANTS, DISTINGUISHED GUESTS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
IT IS INDEED A GREAT PLEASURE FOR ME TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THIS OCCASION FOR GRADUANDS IN ICT TRAINING PROGRAM AND TO CONGRATULATE YOU FOR SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING THE COURSE. I KNOW YOU ALL MUST HAVE PUT IN YOUR VERY BEST AND HAVE PASSED WITH FLYING COLOURS. MAY I ALSO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF EGYPT AND THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION FOR ACCEPTING TO CONDUCT THIS TRAINING HERE AND FOR MAKING IT A SUCCESS
ATU AS A SPECIALIZED AGENCY OF THE AFRICAN UNION HAS A MISSION TO PROMOTE THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF INFO COMMUNICATION IN AFRICA TO ASSIST IT ACHIEVE FULL CONNECTIVITY BETWEEN AFRICAN COUNTRIES. WE ARE HAPPY TO REPORT THAT MEMBER COUNTRIES OF ATU HAVE BEEN SUPPORTIVE IN THE ACTIVITIES OF THE UNION AND IN PARTICULAR, IN ACHIEVING THE DESIRED GOALS, ONE OF WHICH IS BUILDING HUMAN AND INSTITUTION CAPACITY.
HON MINISTER, TODAY TAKES ON SPECIAL IMPORTANCE FOR ME AND ATU FRATERNITY FOR HAVING AN OPPORTUNITY TO COLLABORATE WITH EGYPT AND BE PART OF THIS PROGRAM. IT IS MY SINCERE HOPE THAT THE PROGRAM HAS NOT ONLY BEEN SUCCESSFUL BUT ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO INTERACT, LEARN AND EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE IN ORDER TO PREPARE YOU COUNTER THE CHALLENGE FACING DEVELOPING COUNTRIES IN ICT TECHNOLOGY TODAY.
FOR MOST PART, TODAY’S CHALLENGE REMAINS FOCUSED ON CLOSING THE GAP IN ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY IN AFRICA. BUT THE ISSUE IS WHAT DO THE PEOPLE AND INSTITUTIONS WITH THE TECHNOLOGY DO ONCE THEY HAVE ACCESS TO IT? WHAT TECHNOLOGY ARE WE EMPLOYING TO BRIDGE THIS GAP?
INDEED TECHNOLOGY ACCESS IS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR FOR US IN AFRICA TO ENABLE US DO BUSINESS AND MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR ALL TO COMMUNICATE. BUT WE NEED TO ADDRESS THE ULTIMATE APPLICATION OF THIS POTENTIAL TECHNOLOGY TO ADDRESS THE UNDERLYING CHALLENGE.
HON MINISTER, WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF HUMAN CAPACITY, WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TURN ON OF THE FARTHEST REACHING AND FASTEST GROWING TECHNOLOGY TO BRIDGE THE GAP. WE SHOULD TAP THE POTENTIAL THIS TECHNOLOGY OFFERS US SO AS TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE CAN ENJOY THE OPPORTUNITY FOR ECONOMIC MOBILITY, PERSONAL ADVANCEMENT AND HIGHER QUALITY OF LIFE. THAT IS THE ULTIMATE CHALLENGE FOR AFRICA AND THE ULTIMATE OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE EAGER TO GIVE BACK TO A SOCIETY IN WHICH THEY HAVE PROSPERED. “RE THINKING THE POTENTIAL OF TECHNOLOGY”.
IT IS MY HUMBLE BELIEF THAT THIS COURSE HAS PREPARED YOU TO THINK AHEAD AND PLAN HOW TO TACKLE THE CHALLENGE FACING OUR SOCIETY TODAY.
IN CONCLUSION MR. MINISTER, LET ME ONCE AGAIN REITERATE OUR THANKS AND GRATITUDE TO THE GOVERNMENT OF EGYPT THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION FOR ABLY CONDUCTING THIS VERY IMPORTANT COURSE THAT WILL SEE A CHANGE IN OUR SOCIETY.
I WISH EACH AND EVERY GRADUAND SUCCESS AS YOU TAKE BACK THE KNOWLEDGE ACQUIRED TO YOUR RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES FOR DEPLOYMENT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
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This year, the African Telecommunication/ICT Day shall be commemorated on 7th December, 2010.
