India doubles financial commitment to ITU

India doubled its financial contribution to the International

Telecommunication Union from five 'contributory units' to ten, amounting to CHF

3.18 million per annum.

Announcing the increase at the ITU Council meeting in Geneva, D.S. Mathur,

Secretary, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Government of

India said, "India fully supports the mission of the International

Telecommunication Union to connect the world and, in particular, to develop

online resources and strengthen cybersecurity. The Global Cybersecurity Agenda

launched by ITU this year is a significant step in ensuring confidence and

security in the use of information and communication technologies around the

world."

Mathur added that India would support ITU not only financially but with human

resources as well. Mathur expressed his country's confidence in ITU's management

and the launch of new global initiatives, including the series to Connect the

World. ICT is the driver of economic growth and employment around the world and

the catalyst for improved services such as health care and education.

Dr Hamadoun Touré, Secretary-General of ITU, welcomed India's increased

contribution and said it was a reflection of the spectacular growth of

telecommunications in the country. He said, "I thank the Government of

India for the increased financial contribution that will support ITU's

commitment to connect people everywhere, especially in remote and underserved

regions. By doing so, we will be able to accelerate the process of meeting the

broader development goals."