WTSA-24: India Takes Center Stage in Shaping the Future of Global Digital Governance World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly kicks off in New Delhi, aiming to redefine global standards with a focus on universal connectivity, ethical AI, and digital inclusion.
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Indian PM Modi inaugurated ITU World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly 2024 in New Delhi on Tuesday.
NEW DELHI: The World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA-24) began on Tuesday in New Delhi, representing a milestone in global digital governance as India hosts the event for the first time in the Asia-Pacific region. Policymakers, technology experts, and industry leaders have convened to reinforce the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) efforts to establish global standards for emerging technologies. Scheduled from October 15 to 24, the assembly is set to influence the future of digital policy, creating benchmarks that could shape the next decade of connectivity. By hosting this prestigious event, India not only highlights its growing influence in international digital policy but also underscores its commitment to bridging the global digital divide through leadership and innovation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, inaugurating WTSA-24 alongside the India Mobile Congress, set the tone by emphasizing India’s transformative role in the global digital landscape. His address highlighted India’s journey from a regional player to a global leader in digital policy, stressing that the standards defined during the assembly will pave the way for a future where security, dignity, and equity in the digital realm are guaranteed for all. By emphasizing that “no country, region, or community should be left behind in the digital era,” Modi aimed to position India as a champion of inclusive digital development, leveraging the nation’s achievements in expanding digital services through programs like the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Aadhaar. These initiatives, which have extended financial and social services to over 1.3 billion citizens, exemplify India’s ability to balance rapid technological growth with efforts to promote social equity.
The assembly’s timing is significant, given the increasing urgency to close the digital divide, with nearly 3 billion people—around 37% of the global population—still lacking internet access, as reported by ITU. WTSA-24 aims to address this gap by developing international standards that facilitate technological equity and inclusive growth. The assembly’s outcomes could reshape the trajectory of global digital policies, especially as they pertain to developing economies. ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin underscored the gravity of the event, noting the need for “bold, collective action” to strengthen international standards and solidify a framework for digital governance. Citing India’s successes in digital financial inclusion, such as UPI processing over 9 billion transactions monthly, she framed the country’s model as an inspiring blueprint for other nations to follow.
With digital technologies expanding rapidly, WTSA-24’s discussions will focus on pivotal areas like ethical artificial intelligence (AI), smart cities, and the development of virtual worlds, with the aim of integrating sustainable development goals into technological advancements. The topic of ethical AI is particularly timely; a recent Accenture report projects that AI could add $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030. However, without appropriate safeguards, risks such as bias, data privacy issues, and potential misuse could overshadow the benefits. The assembly is an opportunity to lay the groundwork for international AI governance that maximizes positive outcomes while minimizing harm, setting a standard for the ethical deployment of technology across borders.
India’s efforts to prioritize digital inclusion resonate through its domestic achievements, where nearly 700 million people have gained internet access, and digital literacy initiatives have reached over 200,000 villages. These programs highlight a potential model for global adoption, especially in regions where access remains limited. The discussions at WTSA-24 are expected to center on how international standards can replicate India’s successes in promoting affordable access to digital technologies for underserved communities, ensuring that technological growth translates into meaningful social and economic development.
Hosting WTSA-24 is a strategic move for India, positioning it as a key player in setting the agenda for international telecommunications and digital empowerment. The nation’s tech ecosystem, currently valued at $1 trillion and projected to grow fivefold by 2030, reflects its dynamic digital landscape and the potential to shape global standards that support a vision of an interconnected world. By convening this assembly, India demonstrates its readiness to influence global policies, ensuring that the evolving digital framework not only meets the needs of developed nations but also caters to the aspirations of emerging economies.
Preceding the main event, the Global Standards Symposium (GSS-24) provided a forum for thought leaders to explore innovations in AI, virtual realities, and sustainable technologies. The symposium called for increased investment in technical standards to accelerate progress in areas such as smart cities, projected to generate $2.57 trillion in economic value by 2025. Harmonized standards emerging from WTSA-24 could enhance interoperability and data security, laying a foundation for future technological integration that is both inclusive and forward-looking.
While technical standardization remains a core focus, the assembly’s agenda extends to broader socio-economic issues, such as digital rights, data privacy, and cybersecurity. These considerations are essential as technology becomes increasingly central to daily life. WTSA-24’s multi-stakeholder approach, incorporating input from governments, industry, academia, and civil society, aims to establish a comprehensive governance framework that addresses the complexities of the digital age, ensuring that technological progress is aligned with human values.
India’s leadership at WTSA-24 could establish a new blueprint for digital collaboration, particularly in empowering developing countries to leverage technology for sustainable growth. The assembly’s decisions are expected to set the stage for a more secure, inclusive, and resilient digital ecosystem that serves all stakeholders. As the assembly unfolds, the global community will closely watch how its ambitious agenda translates into concrete actions that narrow the digital divide and foster innovation. The results will not only shape global digital policies but also influence the pace of development across various sectors, with India’s role potentially redefining how international cooperation in technology can drive collective progress toward a truly interconnected world.
— Dr. Shahid Siddiqui, Follow via X @shahidsiddiqui
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