Innovative technologies including 5G, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and the Internet of Things (IoT) were high on the agenda today as the doors opened for ITU Telecom World 2017, the global tech event for governments, corporates and SMEs.
More than 5,250 people are registered to attend the event, including 500+ exhibitors, bringing with them the smartest ideas and entrepreneurial spirit of digital start-ups and ICT small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) together with governments, regulators, industry leaders, consultants and experts from emerging and developed markets representing 131 countries around the world.
The start of the event was marked by a spectacular opening ceremony featuring a live orchestra and traditional dance performance from Busan National Gukak Centre, with a video message delivered by Moon Jae-in, President of the Republic of Korea. Participating in the ceremony were (in speaking order) Young Min You, Minister of Science and ICT, Republic of Korea; Byung-soo Suh, Mayor of Busan Metropolitan City; Houlin Zhao, ITU Secretary-General; Abdulaziz Bin Salem Al Ruwais, Governor, Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC), Saudi Arabia; Majed Al Mesmar, Deputy Director General, Telecom Sector, Telecommunciations Regulatory Authority, United Arab Emirates; Rudiantara, Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Indonesia; Siyabonga Cyprian Cwele, Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services, South Africa; István Mikola, Minister of State for Security and International Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Hungary; and Edwin Estrada Hernández,Deputy Minister of Telecommunications, Ministry of Science, Technology and Telecommunications, Costa Rica.
What to look out for
Following the official opening of ITU Telecom World 2017, under the theme “Smart digital transformation, global opportunities,” debates began in earnest, with the Leadership Summit, moderated by European media giant Euronews, which convened high-level experts from public and private sectors to explore visions of smart societies in the future, as well as the best ways to build resilience into smart technologies, systems and cities.
During the four-day event, Forum sessions are delving into a rich and timely set of topics including: maximizing the opportunities of smart digital transformation, how telecommunication companies can transform their operations, how we can develop and scale digital literacy, the industry sectors most likely to lead the 5G revolution, and the potential impact of AI on financial services.
The Exhibition showcases digital solutions and investment opportunities from both governments and industry, representing emerging and developed markets, including tech SMEs. Technologies on display include artificial intelligence, virtual reality, smart health, smart finance, IoT, radio frequency spectrum solutions, spectrum management, smart city technologies and more.
The prestigious ITU Telecom World Awards ceremony, recognizing excellence and innovation in ICT solutions with social impact from SMEs and corporates alike, will also be held during the event. Winners will be announced on 29 September, at the closing of the event.
ITU Telecom World 2017 will also provide a host of targeted networking opportunities including B2B and B2G business matchmaking, as well as sharing perspectives from the ITU and its membership and partners. This will include a host of engaging side events on trending topics, a number of important agreements to be signed, and several new technical publications to be launched – including the new ITU ICT Discoveries Journal.
