Opinions & Interviews

The Belarusian head of government pointed out positive dynamics in the advancement of mutually beneficial partnership with the International Telecommunication Union. Andrei Kobyakov reminded that Belarus intends to become one of the world’s top 30 countries in the development of information and communication technologies. “We are confident that we will be able to achieve that goal soon as a result of fruitful cooperation with the International Telecommunication Union,” he remarked.

Belarus is interested in implementing joint projects meant to effectively advance digital technologies. Belarus was the first CIS country to switch from analog to digital aerial television. The transition was facilitated by the consulting and methodology center, which had been established with assistance of the International Telecommunication Union. “We believe it is possible to spread the best practices of this center to the entire CIS region and a number of other countries with your support,” said the prime minister of Belarus.

Andrei Kobyakov reminded that in November 2016 the Belarusian Communications and Informatization Ministry and the International Telecommunication Union signed an agreement on assisting the union with measuring harmful interferences. The agreement allowed using capabilities of the Belarusian ground-based satellite communication station.

For the sake of implementing the initiative aimed at enabling access to infrastructure and communication services for people with disabilities a center for training people with hearing disorders was opened at premises of the Belarusian State Telecommunications Academy in September 2016. The second information and training center for people with hearing and speech disabilities has been established in the Vitebsk branch of the Belarusian State Telecommunications Academy. “We would like you to help open it remotely,” continued Andrei Kobyakov. “For the sake of organizing consequent education at premises of the education institution we are interested in expert assistance and financial aid from the International Telecommunication Union with a view to developing innovative learning courses on information and communication technologies, including support and development of remote educational functions in these centers, assistance with personnel training, organization of events for people with hearing and speech disorders.”

Belarus will continue paying close attention to the advancement of mutually beneficial cooperation with the International Telecommunication Union. “We would like the Council of the International Telecommunication Union to consider the possibility of upgrading the status of the CIS zone office in Moscow up to the regional branch. We hope you will support this proposal,” said Andrei Kobyakov. “At present the Commonwealth of Independent States is the only region without a regional office of the International Telecommunication Union.”

The Belarusian head of government underlined that the Belarusian information and communication industry is open to foreign investments. “The government is always ready to hear out and support proposals aimed at advancing mutually beneficial cooperation in this field,” he stated.

Andrei Kobyakov thanked Houlin Zhao for his significant personal contribution to the global development of information and communication technologies. “The Belarusian government highly appreciates your visit to our country with a view to taking part in events of the international forum TIBO 2017 and the Regional Commonwealth in the Field of Communications. I am convinced that your participation in events in Belarus would contribute to further advancement of cooperation with the International Telecommunication Union,” summed up the prime minister.

In turn, Houlin Zhao thanked Andrei Kobyakov and the Belarusian government for the warm welcome and noted it was his second visit to Belarus. He also said he hopes that Belarus’ partnership with the International Telecommunication Union will grow stronger in the future.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) was established in 1865. It is the oldest international organization in the UN system. The ITU includes 193 countries, ICT regulators, many leading academic institutions, and some 700 technology companies. At present the ITU is the UN’s leading institution in the area of information and communication technologies. The union acts as the world’s coordinating center for government agencies and the private sector. Belarus has been a full-value member of the International Telecommunication Union since 1947.