ITU Telecom World 2019 calls for reducing digital divide

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BUDAPEST, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Houlin Zhao, Secretary General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), called for joint efforts to reduce digital divide at the opening ceremony of the ITU Telecom World 2019 here Monday.

Calling the event "an opportunity to reduce the digital divide", he said the ITU is committed to ensuring that everyone has access to telecommunications, pointing to the fact that half of the world's population did not yet have an online connection.

In remarks at the expo opening ceremony, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban spoke of his country's rapid digital progress and shared his future vision for Hungary, a thriving digital economy at the heart of Europe.

The prime minister emphasized that 25 percent of Hungary's gross national product was currently generated by the digital economy, employing some 400,000 people, which was the third highest rate in the EU.

He noted that one of the big challenges of the digital era was to find ways that would bring the benefits of digitalization to not just a small group of elite, but to everyone. The Hungarian government has already launched a Digital Well-being Program for this purpose, he explained.

"We need to move digitization to farmers in the most remote villages, hospitals, small settlements, small and medium-sized businesses so that everyone may profit from the changes brought about by digitalization," he concluded,

Addressing delegates via a video message, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke of the importance of new technology to save lives.

"There is no doubt innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence, 5G and the Internet of Things can help us achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and improve the lives of all. We must harness the opportunities they bring, while mitigating the risks," he said.

ITU Telecom World 2019, the global tech event for governments, corporates and small- and medium-sized enterprises, opened its doors Monday to four days of exhibition, debate, networking and awards presenting.

The exhibition features innovations in areas ranging from Smart ABC (Smart AI, Banking and Cities), 5G, smart agriculture, e-waste management and satellites to smart transport, smart homes, climate change mitigation, pet healthcare, digital finance and many more. Enditem

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