Somalia joined the rest of the world to observe World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) on 17th May. The event was aimed at increasing awareness of how crucial communication is in our lives, in addition to stimulating the development of technologies in the field.

The theme for WTISD-18 will focus on the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to accelerate the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). AI-based technologies are already emerging as a key component of proactive tools and applications being used to help people lead better lives by improving healthcare, education, finance, agriculture, transportation, and a wide range of other services.

Technical managers representing telcoms, ISPs, academia, content developers, and government, who attended today’s event, highlighted the need for collaboration by all stakeholders in developing the ICT sector in Somalia.

The Acting Director General of Ministry of Post, Telecom and Technology, Mr. Abdulrahman Addow, who closed the event, said the Ministry is empowering young people to develop ICT tools that will improve the lives of citizens nationwide. He noted that everything that happens in the world is driven by technology; therefore ICT has become a tool that we cannot do without.

He mentioned that countless opportunities will be identified as our young people come up with Artificial Intelligence-based solutions that address local problems. He expressed the Ministry’s commitment to work to move the communications industry forward.

Each year on May 17, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) marks the founding of ITU and the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention in 1865. END

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