ITU and Kenya sign host country agreement for the 2016 global ICT capacity building symposium

ICT skills are critical in digital age to achieve sustainable development

Geneva, 15 June 2016 – The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Government of Kenya signed a host country agreement to formalize arrangements for the Global ICT capacity building symposium (CBS-2016).

The agreement was signed by ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao and the Director-General of the Communications Authority of Kenya, Francis Wangusi, on behalf of the Government of Kenya.

CBS-2016 will take place in Nairobi, Kenya from 6 to 8 September 2016, with pre-events planned on 5 September under the theme, “ Embracing Capacity Building Opportunities in the Digital Era ”.

Organized by ITU and hosted by the Communications Authority of Kenya, the Symposium is the main global event for capacity development in the field of information and communication technology (ICT). It brings together stakeholders from across the world to discuss trends and developments in the sector and their implications for human and institutional capacity building.

“CBS-2016 is taking place at a significantly crucial time as the world embarks on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development,” said Mr Zhao. “ICTs have an extraordinary potential to accelerate the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and it is important to provide opportunities for everyone to acquire the specialized skills needed to engage in and benefit from the telecommunication/ICT sector.”

“The symposium presents an opportunity for the ICT community to reflect on building competencies that can help accelerate the development agenda using ICTs,” said Mr Wangusi. “Kenya looks forward to receiving the participants and offering its renowned hospitality. As the home to many ICT innovations, we have much to showcase and share with the global ICT fraternity.”

“This Symposium is a further testament to our ongoing efforts to promote cross sectoral collaboration with a view to supporting the development of a vibrant ICT sector and making a difference in people’s lives,” said Brahima Sanou, Director of the ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau. “Enhancing education and training in the field of ICT is critical in enabling countries to establish and develop national e-strategies for sustainable development.”

CBS-2016 is the first global event focusing on new skill requirements in the digital era following the adoption by the world leaders of the SDGs.