International Telecommunication Union marks 160 years of connecting world
Geneva: The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) commemorated 160 years dedicated to connecting the world on Saturday, 17 May, during the annual World Telecommunication and Information Society Day.
"For 160 years, ITU has brought the world together to ensure technology benefits all of humanity," said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. "In this milestone year, let's reaffirm our commitment to building a shared digital future where no one is left behind, and where everyone can thrive."
Since its founding on 17 May 1865, ITU has been at the forefront of technology innovation, fostering multilateralism, social and economic growth, security and safety. From telegraphy and the first radio signals, to satellites, mobile phones and the latest developments in AI and quantum computing, ITU inspires innovation through cooperation as it works for a world where everyone, everywhere is connected.
Notable ITU achievements include:
Since 1963, ITU has ensured fair and reliable access to satellite orbits for ITU Member States. Space is now home to satellites from 91 countries that provide services to billions of people.
In 1976, ITU published a technical standard allowing computer networks to work together, laying the foundation for the modern Internet. ITU publishes over 300 open standards every year, making emerging technologies safer, more reliable, and more impactful.
In the decade since ITU's 150th anniversary, global connectivity has doubled. Today, two-thirds of the world's population is online, benefiting from the opportunities connectivity brings.
Since 1906 - and now with 80 per cent of global goods currently transported by sea - ITU has provided rules and frequency resources that help ships communicate and navigate reliably and securely.
With 99 per cent of all Internet traffic travelling through undersea cables, ITU promotes and facilitates efforts to enhance the resilience of this critical infrastructure.
As part of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, ITU is highlighting the need to ensure that women and girls worldwide can benefit from and contribute to the globe's digital transformation.
Of the 2.6 billion people around the world that are still unconnected, the majority are women and girls. It is estimated that 189 million fewer women were using the Internet than men in 2024, with gaps in access, affordability and digital skills hindering participation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times of Oman
3 hours ago
- Times of Oman
How dangerous are invasive insects in Europe?
Berlin: As winters become milder due to climate change, insects normally found only in the tropics are starting to feel more at home across Europe. And the speed of travel and global trade is making it easier than ever for them to make the trip — in imported wood, potted plants or simply as stowaways. But these exotic newcomers aren't exactly welcome. Experts with the European Environment Agency told DW that invasive alien species, including insects, are a "major threat to native plants and animals in Europe and are one of the five major causes of biodiversity loss." Though tiny, these pests compete with native species for resources and destabilize fragile ecosystems already dealing with pollution, overexploitation and the effects of a warming planet. They're also a serious problem for humans, spreading disease, destroying crops and costing the EU an estimated €12 billion ($13.8 billion) per year in recovery and eradication expenses. Here are just a few of the invasive insects threatening Europe. Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) The tiger mosquito, named for its distinctive white stripes, is native to the tropical and subtropical forests of Southeast Asia and was first spotted in Albania in 1979. It made its way over to Italy and France in the 1990s, and is now well-established across the Balkans, southern Ukraine, southwestern Russia and much of the Mediterranean region. But with its tough eggs and a new tolerance for cooler weather, it has also been spotted in Belgium, Germany and as far north as Sweden in recent years. The tiger mosquito thrives in urban environments, reproducing in standing water in places like flowerpots or gutters. This adaptability — along with a tendency to be active during the day — has made humans an easy target for the insect, which can feed on blood several times a day. Aside from being an itchy nuisance, those bites can transmit contagious human diseases like dengue, chikungunya and the Zika virus. Asian hornet (Vespa velutina nigrithorax) This stinging menace, originally from eastern Asia, first arrived in France in 2004. Also known as a yellow-legged hornet, it's slightly smaller than the native European variety, has an overall darker coloring and is active during the day. It has since spread to more than a dozen European countries, including Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Italy, Germany and the UK. It's not to be confused with the giant Asian hornet, also known as the "murder hornet" for its dangerous sting. Though being stung by the Asian hornet can be quite painful for humans, the greater risk is to food security and biodiversity, according to agricultural nonprofit CABI. The species preys on hundreds of crucial pollinators such as bumblebees, butterflies and flies. But its main target is the European honeybee, which pollinates more than 80% of Europe's crops and wild plants. A study published in the journal Science Of The Total Environment in March 2025 found that the hornet can kill up to 50 bees a day. The Asian hornet is one of 88 species on the EU's list of Invasive Alien Species of Union Concern, which requires member states to prevent the spread of the insect and eradicate it wherever possible. American ants (Solenopsis geminata, Solenopsis invicta, Solenopsis richteri, Wasmannia auropunctata) Also on the EU's most wanted list are four species of foreign ants: the tropical fire ant, the red imported fire ant, the black imported fire ant and the little fire ant. These tiny invaders were accidentally introduced from Central and South America, with the tropical fire ant first showing up in Europe as far back as the 1860s. With its painful sting which can cause an allergic reaction, these species rapidly displace other native ant populations and disrupt ecosystems and agriculture with aggressive feeding habits. A 2023 study at the Institute of Evolutionary Biology in Barcelona found that 7% of the European continent was a suitable habitat for the ant, and that's likely to grow as climate change increases their habitable range. Half of Europe's cities were already vulnerable to invasion — bad news, as these ants can also damage electrical equipment by chewing through wiring and causing short circuits. Brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) This extremely invasive pest from Asia is now widespread in France, Italy and Switzerland, but present across most of the continent. They are especially attracted to fruit, nuts and grapevines, but are just as happy munching on vegetables and other crops, like soy. In Italy, the stink bug caused an estimated €588 million in damage to fruit crops in 2019 alone. Farmers have traditionally fought back with insecticides, but researchers are also considering a more environmentally friendly method — pitting the stink bug against its natural enemy. The Samurai wasp (Trissolcus japonicus), another accidental introduction from Asia, is a parasite that lays its eggs inside the eggs of the brown marmorated stink bug. The wasp larvae feed on the stink bug egg, eventually killing it. Some researchers have cautioned that relying on another foreign insect to handle the problem might end up causing more ecological disruption. But a 2023 study led by CABI found that the wasp appeared to have little impact on most native insect populations. Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) Listed among the 100 world's worst invasive alien species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, this beetle is a major threat to deciduous trees and shrubs. Adults feed on leaves, stems and twigs while larvae burrow into the trunk, slowly killing a tree within a few years. Urban trees, which help to cool cities, are especially vulnerable due to their proximity to ports; in the eastern US, where the beetle arrived in the 1990s, up to 35% of the trees in cities are at risk. The insects are often introduced in wood packaging, and have been found in France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Poland. But their populations are not yet widely established, and some eradication campaigns have been successful. Europe will have to learn to live with invasive species "Invasive alien insects often appear more difficult to manage than invasive plants or larger animals: They are small, mobile, reproduce rapidly, have short life cycles and often go unnoticed until the damage is done," said the EEA. While it's nearly impossible to completely eradicate an invasive insect species, the damage can be mitigated. Asian hornets have been kept at bay in some areas with special traps and by removing their nests, while researchers in Italy have recently used drones and artificial intelligence to detect and monitor stink bugs. Other methods involve stopping the insect at the source, for example by treating wooden packing with heat before shipping to kill the longhorned beetle. In some cases, it's as simple as clearing any standing water from your balcony or backyard, to stop the spread of mosquitoes. But the experts stressed that insects weren't necessarily any worse than other invasive plants and animals, noting that "each group — and each invasion case — comes with its own biological and ecological complexities."
Times of Oman
a day ago
- Times of Oman
Oman showcases investment ambitions at SPIEF 2025, advancing strategic investment ties with Russia
St. Petersburg, Russia: The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, concluded its participation in the 28th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), reaffirming its commitment to global economic dialogue and cross-border investment engagement. Oman spotlighted its integrated business ecosystem and priority sectors under Oman Vision 2040, which aims to foster a resilient and diversified economy. SPIEF 2025 attracted approximately 20,000 participants from 140 countries, maintaining robust international engagement. The Forum featured more than 150 events, ranging from thematic panels and plenary sessions to business breakfasts and bilateral dialogues. High-profile attendees included Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, Bahraini royal Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile — alongside senior officials from nearly 50 countries, including Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and the Central African Republic. Their presence underscored SPIEF's role as a pivotal platform for fostering multipolar economic cooperation. The Omani delegation was led by Her Excellency Ibtisam bint Ahmed Al Farooji, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion for Investment Promotion, who spearheaded a series of high-level meetings and sector-focused engagements. The delegation's program included participation in key forum sessions, bilateral meetings with institutional investors, and exploratory visits to major corporate pavilions. This year, Oman's focus centered on promoting investment in four high-potential sectors: luxury tourism, logistics, food security, and mining — each aligned with national efforts to position Oman as a competitive and future-ready investment destination. As part of its engagement, Oman organized a dedicated roundtable with leading Russian companies active in these sectors. The session provided a platform to present the Sultanate's competitive advantages, regulatory reforms, and infrastructure readiness, while facilitating direct dialogue with potential investors and strategic partners. 'Oman is focused on high-value investment, enabling enterprise through streamlined digital platforms, and scaling public-private partnerships—an area where we bring over two decades of institutional experience. Our business climate continues to strengthen, supported by policy clarity, legal reform, and competitive market access.' She highlighted Oman's upgraded credit rating by Standard & Poor's in 2024 as a signal of fiscal stability and investor confidence, adding that the Sultanate is actively translating these gains into tangible investment momentum across key sectors—from green hydrogen and advanced manufacturing to integrated tourism and logistics. Trade and economic cooperation between Oman and Russia continues to deepen. As of February 2024, the bilateral trade volume reached RO 30.9 million. Notably, Omani exports to Russia surged from RO 582,602 in 2022 to RO 3.35 million in 2023 — a remarkable 475% increase. Imports from Russia totaled RO 188.4 million, highlighting the scale and diversification of commercial ties between the two countries. Oman's participation in SPIEF 2025 aligns with its broader strategy to enhance investor outreach in key international markets, particularly in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. By leveraging global platforms such as SPIEF, Oman is actively cultivating a network of institutional investors and strategic partners to catalyse sustainable development and high-impact investment. As part of the official business program, Oman participated in the SPIEF session titled 'Greater Eurasia: Drivers for the Formation of an Integrated Investment Market.' Her Excellency joined global investment leaders to explore policy tools that can accelerate cross-border capital flows. Discussions addressed market integration, institutional readiness, and innovative investment instruments — themes that closely align with Oman's ongoing investment reform agenda.
Times of Oman
a day ago
- Times of Oman
Oman to enhance AI contributions to national economy
Times News Service Muscat: Oman is actively working to enhance the contribution of artificial intelligence (AI) to the national economy by increasing the number of specialised startups and expanding research and scientific investment in this vital field. In September 2024, the Council of Ministers approved the National Programme for Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Digital Technologies as part of a comprehensive strategic plan built on three main pillars: 1. Promoting the adoption of AI across economic and developmental sectors 2. Localising AI technologies by supporting homegrown solutions and developing national capabilities so that Oman becomes a producer and developer of digital technologies 3. Governing AI applications with a human-centric vision, creating a flexible regulatory environment that ensures the ethical and effective use of emerging technologies. Hassan bin Fada Hussein Al Lawati, Head of the National Programme for AI and Advanced Digital Technologies at the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, highlighted that the programme benefits key economic, development, and service sectors that directly impact citizens' quality of life. In a statement to the Oman News Agency, Al Lawati noted that Oman advanced five spots in the Oxford Insights Government AI Readiness Index, ranking 45th globally out of 193 countries in 2024, up from 50th in 2023. Regionally, Oman ranks 5th in MENA and 4th among GCC states, with ambitions to join the global top 30. The programme targets a 20% annual increase in the number of AI-focused tech startups, which have already grown from fewer than 10 at the programme's inception to over 25 today. Cumulative investments in AI projects have reached approximately OMR60 million over the past four years, with plans to increase investment by 20% annually. The Ministry has also launched the 'AI Innovators' initiative in collaboration with the University of Technology and Applied Sciences to promote AI knowledge production and honor top researchers, scientific papers, and projects. Additionally, Al-Lawati mentioned the 'Engineer IT with AI' competition, designed to localise and encourage generative AI innovation, empower national talent, and increase economic returns through startup creation and performance benchmarks. A specialised initiative titled 'Humanising AI' has also been introduced to ensure a balanced approach that integrates technological empowerment with human-centred service delivery and inclusive access for all segments of society.
