TRA Participates in the UNESCO General Conference

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) participated in the deliberations of the 36th session of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) General Conference held at its headquarters in Paris during 25th October – 10th November. The TRA’s participation took place among a high-level UAE delegation chaired by H.E. Humaid Mohammed Al Qutami, Minister of Education.

 

Within the deliberation of the UNESCO General Conference, Information and Communication Committee meetings were held during November 1-3, 2011. The meetings discussed the plan of action for the major program which focuses on two biennial sectorial priorities and three main action points, in addition to shedding light on Africa and gender equality. Emphasis was also placed on Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and countries in post-conflict and post-disaster situations. 

 

Commenting on the TRA participation, H.E. Mohamed Nasser Al Ghanim, TRA Director General, said: “The TRA is honored to be part of the UAE delegation participating in this conference, as it discussed plenty of critical and essential topics. We are sure that our expertise in the TRA will contribute in supporting and leveraging this participation to a high level, as education is seen as one of the main sectors within the TRA interest in line with our faith in developing the coming generations and developing their knowledge on the ICT sector which plays a key role in our future.” 

 

“We would like to extend our deep gratitude to the Ministry of Education for this generous invitation to be part of the UAE delegation, as we believe in the role of such conferences in enhancing our capacities and expertise in the ICT world through ideas, opinions and experiences exchange from all over the world. We consider the UAE participation of  great importance as it broadens our horizons,” Al Ghanim added. 

 

The first biennial sectorial priority focused on promoting freedom of expression and information by undertaking many procedures to promote the free-flow of information, encourage governments to develop instruments to protect freedom of expression, and monitor the status of press freedom. The second priority’s concern is to foster information and communication capacities to enable the access to build a digital bridge, through different practices that focus mainly on supporting actions that help reduce the digital and knowledge gap, promoting the usage of the applications of ICTs and harness them to empower the local communities, as well as protecting the digital documentary heritage of universal value. 

 

The main action points covered three topics: the promotion of an  enabled environment for freedom of expression to foster development, democracy, and dialogue for a culture of peace and non-violence; the strengthening of free and independent media, civil participation and gender-responsive communication which all aim for sustainable development; the empowerment of individuals through universal access to knowledge and preservation of information, including documentary heritage. 

 

TRA has a spectacular history full of valuable and rich contributions that aims to develop the UAE ICT sector, and drive it to take the lead on all levels both regionally and globally