(Ecofin Agency) - Last Wednesday, in Dubai, Claude Isaac Dé, the minister of digital economy of Côte d’Ivoire, officially announced his country’s candidacy for the council of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

Claude Isaac Dé explained that to transform Côte d’Ivoire into a country at the cutting edge of telecommunications, the government committed to the development and support of a secured and trusted digital ecosystem for investors and residents.

According to the minister, numerous projects and reforms are underway, notably the e-Agriculture, e-Education, e-Handicap, further dematerialization of administrative procedures and improvement of these for the population. This increased the contribution of the IT sector to 9% of GDP in Côte d’Ivoire.

"The first reforms initiated have already helped us gain 20 places in the IDI, becoming the third in West Africa and seventh in terms of cybersecurity in Subsarahan Africa", Claude Isaac Dé said. He thus invited members of the union to support the candidacy of Côte d’Ivoire which adhered to ITU’s vision for the 2020-2023 period.  "Our commitment towards the ITU and the whole community is irreversible", he declared.

Claude Isaac Dé also indicated that Côte d’Ivoire wished to multiply its contribution in the ITU by eight and increase its experts’ involvement in the Union’s works.  

Let’s note that the ITU is the United Nations specialized institution dedicated to the IT sector. It attributes radio-electrical frequencies and satellite orbits to countries around the world to establish technical standards which ensure harmonious networks and technology interconnection. It also strives to improve IT access for underserved communities.

The ITU is administrated by the administrative council and the plenipotentiary council. The plenipotentiary council is the highest body of the Union and the deciding authority which determines its orientations and activities.

The council acts as the directing body in the periods between conferences of the plenipotentiary council. Its role is to examine key telecommunication policies so that the activities, political orientations, and strategies are perfectly adapted to the dynamic and rapidly changing telecommunications environment.  

Flore Kacou