The Minister of Communications and Information Technology Amr Talaat has delivered a speech at the Policy Statements session, as part of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference 2022 (PP-22), in Bucharest, Romania.
The ICT Minister reviewed the most significant ICT developments as well as the plans and programs implemented in Egypt, which meet ITU global trends.
Talaat highlighted that the Egyptian government has launched a strategy to build Digital Egypt. The strategy focuses on several pillars aimed at achieving digital transformation in all state sectors, building capabilities, and fostering digital innovation. This is in addition to providing a strong and secure digital infrastructure and preparing the legislative and regulatory framework promoting the development of the ICT industry.
In his remarks, the ICT Minister emphasized that Egypt succeeded in increasing the average fixed Internet speed eight times, ranking first in Africa. Currently, a project to deliver high-speed Internet services to 58 million citizens is being implemented in 3.5 million homes in about 5,000 Egyptian villages, as part of “Decent Life” initiative.
The ICT Minister stated that more than 20,000 buildings have been connected within the project of connecting government buildings through a fiber-optic network nationwide.
Talaat added that a plan is currently being implemented to establish 16 smart cities. The Knowledge City is being established as a technological edifice to support innovation and attract investments.
Talaat also pointed out that Egypt focuses on human development as a cornerstone in achieving Digital Egypt. The number of trainees has multiplied 56 times to reach about one-quarter million trainees annually and the training budget has doubled 26 times within only four years.
The ICT Minister highlighted the tireless efforts made by the state to build Digital Egypt. These efforts had a positive impact on the ICT sector, achieving the highest growth rate of about 16% among different state sectors for four years in a row. He also pointed to the increase of digital exports with an annual growth rate of about 10%.
Talaat referred to Egypt’s keenness to effectively participate in ITU activities through the contribution of Egyptian experts, since joining ITU in 1876 and then joining the ITU Council in 1973.
Talaat also pointed to Egypt’s interest in supporting ITU activities at all levels, hosting the activities of the ITU Arab Regional Office, and the ITU World Radiocommunication Conference 2019 (WRC-19). It will also host the Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR-23).
Talaat highlighted the significance of focusing on climate change issues within ITU priorities.
At the end of his speech, the Minister invited participants to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27), hosted by Egypt in Sharm El-Sheikh, in November.
The Plenipotentiary Conference is the highest policy-making body of the ITU. Held every four years, ITU PP is the key event at which ITU Member States decide on the future role of the organization, thereby determining the organization’s ability to influence and affect the development of ICTs worldwide. The Conference sets the Union’s general policies; adopts four-year strategic and financial plans; and elects the senior management team of the organization (the Secretary-General, the Deputy Secretary-General, and the directors of ITU sectors’ offices), the Member States of the Council, and the members of the Radio Regulations Board (RRB).
The session has been attended by ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao, various ICT Ministers, senior officials, and representatives from the Member States.
