Why in News ?
Government of India participated in the meeting of sixth BRICS Communication Ministers Meeting held in virtual format. International Telecommunication Union and BRICS forum discussed.
Sixth BRICS Communication Ministers Meeting
- Broad consensus was built to continue cooperation among BRICS Countries on important areas such as
- Role of Information and Communication Technologies in the fight against COVID-19
- Building trust and security in the use of ICTs
- Children online protection
- Granting the access and connectivity of people living in rural areas, as well as groups of persons with disabilities
- Role of the digital economy in achieving Sustainable Development Goals.
- Various initiatives taken by Indian Government for Covid Management
- AarogyaSetu App, Covid Quarantine Alert System (CQAS), CovidSavdhan
- Also ICT solutions to facilitate movement of migrant workers back to their home
- Video Conferencing Solutions to facilitate work from home and learn from home.
About BRICS Communications Ministers’ Meetings
- Held annually under the rotating Chairship of member countries, i.e. Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
- India will take over the Chairship of the next BRICS Communications Ministers’ Meeting to be hosted in 2021 by India.
International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
- ITU is the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies.
- ITU allocate global radio spectrum and satellite orbits
- Also develop the technical standards that ensure networks and technologies seamlessly interconnect, and strive to improve access to ICTs to underserved communities worldwide.
- ITU’s global membership includes 193 Member States as well as some 900 companies, universities, and international and regional organizations.
- ITU makes Internet access possible and majority of Internet connections are facilitated by ITU standards.
- ITU helps support communications in the wake of disasters and emergencies through
- On-the-ground assistance
- Dedicated emergency communications channels
- Technical standards for early warning systems
- Practical help in rebuilding after a catastrophe.
Source : PIB
Topic
GS II : Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate
Current Affairs Compilation : 18 September 2020
[…] BRICS countries signed a letter of intent to cooperate in the Information and Communication Technology sector. […]
[…] BRICS countries signed a letter of intent to cooperate in the Information and Communication Technology sector. […]
[…] BRICS countries signed a letter of intent to cooperate in the Information and Communication Technology sector. […]