India Hosts Fifth Global Standards Symposium, Setting the Stage for Future Digital Transformation

New Delhi: The Fifth Global Standards Symposium (GSS-24) was inaugurated today by Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Minister of Communications and Development of the North Eastern Region, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The landmark event, organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), marked a historic moment for the Asia-Pacific region as India hosts the symposium for the first time, bringing together over 1,500 policymakers and experts, including global ministers, to discuss the future of digital transformation and the pivotal role of international standards in driving emerging technologies.

Delivering the inaugural address, Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia highlighted India’s advancements in technology, emphasizing the rapid 5G rollout across 36 states and union territories within just 22 months, covering 98% of all districts. He pointed out that India’s digital infrastructure, including the Unified Payment Interface (UPI), Aadhaar, and DigiLocker, has become a global model of efficiency and innovation, serving 300 million users and storing 6.75 billion documents. The Minister added that the successful deployment of 5G is projected to inject $450 billion into the Indian economy by 2040.

“Innovation will thrive not in isolation but in harmony,” said Scindia. He also emphasized India’s growing role as a global hub for telecommunications, stating, “This historic gathering signifies a pivotal moment for India. We will be driving the future of global standards, ensuring connectivity for all, and showcasing our tech prowess.”

Addressing the challenges posed by new-age technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), Scindia stressed the importance of ethical considerations, saying, “For AI to serve as a force for good, we must address concerns related to privacy, bias, and transparency. Its deployment must be guided by ethical principles and robust regulatory frameworks.”

The inaugural session was graced by Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the ITU, Seizo Onoe, Director of the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau (ITU), and Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Secretary of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), India. Dr. Raj Kumar Upadhyay, CEO and Chairman Project Board at the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), chaired the symposium, underscoring the importance of the day’s discussions in shaping the future of digital transformation.

Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the ITU, highlighted the critical role of standards in the global technological ecosystem. “At the highest levels of global governance, standards are top of mind. They are more than just technical specifications; they foster interoperability, promise innovation, and can serve as safeguards, ensuring that technology, including AI, is developed and deployed responsibly,” she said.

Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Secretary of DoT, reinforced the symposium’s role in shaping the future of telecommunications, emphasizing India’s leadership in standardization. He remarked, “The work we do here will decide the future of telecom. Interoperability, scalability, and security must remain at the forefront of our efforts.”

In his address, Dr. Raj Kumar Upadhyay, CEO of C-DOT, stressed that today’s discussions are crucial in defining how AI and other emerging technologies will serve humanity. “What we make today will define how AI serves our humanity. Our discussions are more than just conversations; they are the building blocks of our shared digital future,” he said.

The GSS-24 is setting the agenda for the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA-24), which will take place from October 15 to 24, 2024, in New Delhi. This prestigious event, organized by the ITU and hosted by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), marks the first time it is being held in India and the Asia-Pacific region, reinforcing India’s pivotal role in global telecommunications and standardization efforts.