India Takes a Leap in Global Telecom Innovation: Elected Co-Chair of ITU Digital Innovation Board

India has emerged as a key player in shaping the future of telecommunication and information and communication technology (ICT) on a global scale. Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Secretary of the Department of Telecommunications, recently led a productive visit to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) headquarters in Geneva. This visit yielded significant achievements, most notably India's unanimous election to the co-chair position of the ITU's Digital Innovation Board.

Fostering Collaboration and Innovation

Secretary of the Department of Telecommunications Dr. Neeraj Mittal's delegation aimed to strengthen collaboration and explore groundbreaking initiatives in the telecom and ICT sectors. This aligns with the ITU's mission to bridge the digital divide and promote inclusive digital development.

A Stepping Stone: The Digital Innovation Board

The co-chair position on the Digital Innovation Board is a major win for India. This board, established by the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance for Digital Development, comprises ministers and vice ministers of telecom/ICT from 23 member countries across the globe. Its core objective is to champion innovation and entrepreneurship, paving the way for a more inclusive digital future.

The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance itself was formed in response to the growing need for fostering innovation within the ITU membership. This need was highlighted in the Kigali Action Plan (adopted at the World Telecommunication Development Conference 2022) and the outcomes of the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2022. The Alliance functions through three primary vehicles:

• Digital Transformation Lab

• Network of Acceleration Centres

• Digital Innovation Board

The Digital Innovation Board plays a crucial role in providing strategic guidance and expertise. It advocates for building essential local enablers and fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the digital development sphere. This ultimately contributes to a more equitable digital landscape that benefits everyone.

India's Growing Role in the Global Telecom Ecosystem

India's leadership role extends beyond the Digital Innovation Board. The ITU has chosen 17 organizations worldwide to host Network Acceleration Centers. Notably, the Global Innovation Centre at ITU Area Office and Innovation Centre, New Delhi, India, will play a pivotal role in coordinating the efforts of these Network Acceleration Centers across the globe.

Dr. Mittal's visit also included discussions with Dr. Cosmos Zavazava at ITU Headquarters. They explored various initiatives to scale up India's role in the ITU ecosystem. This included the Digital Innovation Board, Digital Transformation Lab, Acceleration Centers, and the Global Innovation Centre in India. Additionally, Dr. Mittal extended an invitation to the ITU to host the next meeting of the Digital Innovation Board in India, alongside the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) 2024.

These developments highlight India's proactive approach to shaping the global telecommunication landscape. The country's commitment to leveraging innovation for socio-economic development is a positive step towards a more connected and inclusive future.

In conclusion, India's active participation and leadership in the International Telecommunication Union's Digital Innovation Board mark a significant stride towards fostering global collaborations and advancing telecommunications on the world stage. With Dr. Neeraj Mittal at the helm, India's Department of Telecommunications has demonstrated a commitment to leveraging innovation and entrepreneurship for a more inclusive digital future.

The bilateral meetings with Japan and Bahrain underscore India's proactive engagement in exploring collaborations in key areas such as AI, 5G, and cybersecurity. As India continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the global telecommunications landscape, its efforts are poised to drive socio-economic development and technological innovation on a global scale.