I would like to thank the Secretary-General for his kind invitation to address the World Telecommunication/ICT Policy Forum 2021. 

IAFI is a non-profit, non-political, non-partisan foundation in the Asia Pacific Region based out of India. IAFI is working for last 18 years with the prime objective of encouraging involvement of professionals, corporate, public/private sector industries, R&D organizations, academic institutions, and such other agencies in the activities of the ITU and the Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT).  

As a Regional Telecom organisation and as a sector member, IAFI is an important Partner of ITU in strengthening collaboration between ITU and India. We are an active participant in the activities of the ITU through our delegations and contributions to a number of events and meetings. IAFI has been extensively engaged with ITU-R on issues relating to public safety spectrum, PPDR satellites and 5G for Industries and enterprises. We are also engaged with all three sectors of the ITU on disaster communications .  

Earlier this year, ITU published the detailed specifications for IMT-2020 air interface that will support several uses not only for consumers but also for industries and enterprises. One of these technologies was submitted by India and IAFI played a pivotal role in getting this certification. Policies and regulations for 6G will require much greater coordination within and across various ITU study groups and sectors. IAFI has already proposed some initial thoughts on a  high level 6G vision to the ITU-R WP5D. 

India has been at the forefront of using the wireless technologies in responding to the challenge of Covid-19 pandemic. It is a matter of great satisfaction that India has  administered over 1.3 billion  Covid-19 vaccine doses, all vaccinations are being managed through mobile wireless network. India’s mobile APP “Arogya-Setu” keeps the population updated on the Covid-19 and connects the health services to the people.  

Before I conclude, I want to thank the ITU, in particular the Secretary General Mr. Houlin Zhao, the Deputy Secretary General Mr. Malcolm Johnson, the Director of the Radiocommunication Bureau Mr. Mario Maniewicz, the Director of the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau Mr. Chaesub Lee  and  the Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau Madam Doreen Bogdan-Martin 

In conclusion, we compliment the ITU for its role in promoting harmonized policies and Regulations for ICT as these are key to meeting the UNO’s Sustainable Development Goals .