ITU Launches Initiatives on Sustainable Development and Disaster Preparedness

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) launched two initiatives that aim to achieve sustainable development and improve disaster preparedness and response through smart information and communication technologies (ICT) at the ITU Telecom World 2012 held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). M-Powering Development seeks to harness ICTs and smart solutions to meet sustainable development goals, including agriculture, education and health, by empowering mobile phone users and powering development and economic activity.
The Smart Sustainable Development Model (SSDM) initiative aims to demonstrate that ICT for Development (ICT4D) and ICT for Disaster Management (ICT4DM) will increase optimal resource use and sustainable development without additional financial investments. Examples of anticipated solutions include new applications that promote capacity building, climate change adaptation, sound regulation, and strengthened emergency telecommunications, as well as ICT cybersecurity, infrastructure development and network security. Both initiatives will be rolled out globally by April 2014.

Source: ITU