Information Technology Acts as Beacon of Hope during COVID-19 Crisis, Secretary-General Says in Video Message to Mark Global Day

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message for World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, observed today:

Information technology can be a beacon of hope, allowing billions of people around the world to connect.  During the COVID-19 pandemic, these connections — with loved ones, with schools and colleges, with workplaces, with health‑care professionals and essential supplies — are more important than ever.

The International Telecommunication Union continues to work with the information and communications technology community and United Nations agencies to help manage and end this crisis, and recover better.  New technologies, from 5G and big data to cloud computing and artificial intelligence, are powerful tools to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges, including the pandemic.

Leaving no one behind means leaving no one offline.  World Telecommunication and Information Society Day reminds us that international cooperation on digital technology is essential to help defeat COVID-19 and achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  Thank you.