Radio Offers Great Promise to Help Close Digital Divide, Advance 2030 Agenda Goals, Secretary-General Tells Conference in Video Message

The following is the text of UN Secretary‑General António Guterres’ video message to the World Radiocommunication Conference, in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt today:

I am pleased to greet the World Radiocommunication Conference.  Radiocommunication technology has transformed information sharing, revolutionized industries, saved lives and advanced development.

Your discussions will have significant implications as we look forward, including your consideration of the identification of frequency bands particularly suitable for the deployment of high‑capacity 5G networks.

Technologies such as 5G, high‑altitude platform stations and satellite communications offer great promise to help close the digital divide and advance the Sustainable Development Goals.  These and many other innovations depend on the radio spectrum — a limited and shared resource.

Thank you for coming together to facilitate its efficient use and equitable access.  I wish you a successful conference.  Thank you.