Innovation and access to information and communication technology will top the agenda as the 54th council meeting of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) kicks off in the city today, officials said.
The council meeting is also being viewed as crucial for Bangladesh to get support from Commonwealth nations to be reelected a council member of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
The CTO is a UK-based telecom platform and representatives from 53 commonwealth member countries will attend the three-day event scheduled for September 8-10.
Organisers said apart from the local telecom experts, operators, and officials, around 300 participants including ministers, regulators, and government and non-government high officials from the member countries will take part in the event.
Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Abdul Latif Siddique will inaugurate the event at a city hotel as the chief guest.
A number of technical sessions focusing on the key aspects of ICT access and utilisation, infrastructure, connectivity, applications, value added services, and data security will be arranged. The theme for this year is 'ICT for Development: From Access to Inclusive and Innovative Services'.
It will also offer a strategic channel for member countries to influence the shaping of the global ICT agenda, advocate and reach consensus on policy and regulatory positions. It also provides private sector members with greater access to policy makers and to raise awareness and promote priorities of current and future ICT4D initiative.
The forum will discuss the strategic plan on broadband, especially mobile broadband, for rural development including food security, cyber security and cybercrime, ICTs for people with disabilities, regulatory environments, including convergence and digital broadcasting switchover, the use of ICTs in education and youth and ICTs.
Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) Secretary Md Sarwar Alam told the FE that they have completed necessary preparations to hold the meeting.
He said the country will campaign for getting strong support from the participating countries to help re-elect Bangladesh a council member of the ITU.
ITU is a specialised United Nations agency for the development of information and communication technology, promoting networking, innovation and knowledge-sharing across the ICT world.
Mr Alam, also spokesperson of the telecom regulator, said the commission will showcase the country's achievements in the telecom industry and its contributions to the world. The election will be held at a meeting of the global body in a meeting on October 20-November 07, 2014 in Busan of South Korea.
A total of 17 countries, including Bangladesh, have already collected nomination papers against 13 posts in the ITU council under the Asia-Austrasia region. The other nominated countries are Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates.
