Context: Recently, the Fifth Global Standards Symposium (GSS-24) concluded in New Delhi, marking a significant event in the Asia-Pacific region. 

Overview of the Symposium

• It was organized for the first time in the Asia-Pacific region by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and hosted by the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India.

• Theme for GSS-24 was “Charting the Next Digital Wave: Emerging Technologies, Innovation, and International Standards”.

• ITU, established in 1865, is the oldest UN specialized agency for Information and Communication Technologies.

Key Outcomes of the GSS-24

• Consensus based international standards system: Calls for continued efforts towards bridging standardization gap between developed and developing countries, through initiatives like ITU Bridging the Standardization Gap programme.

• International standards for sustainable development of emerging digital technologies: Encourages strengthened collaboration among Standards Development Organizations, to enable developing countries to embrace digital innovation.

• High-level segment catalyzing changes: Recognizes Global Digital Compact's emphasis on international cooperation, highlighting importance of emerging digital technologies, including AI in driving digital transformation.

• Standards and SDGs: Highlighted the significance of international standards in enabling sustainable development of emerging digital technologies. E.g. #Standards4SDGs campaign

• Celebrating Smart Cities: Acknowledged sustainable initiatives in cities, reinforcing the commitment to the United for Smart Sustainable Cities (U4SSC) initiative.

• U4SSC, led by the ITU, UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), and UN-Habitat encourages fostering partnerships to empower cities and communities in achieving the UN SDGs.

Significance of International Standards

• Quality: International standards help ensure that products and services are safe, reliable, and high quality. 

• Efficiency: International standards can help businesses operate more efficiently, which can lead to cost savings and increased productivity. 

• Customer satisfaction: International standards can help improve quality, which can lead to increased customer satisfaction and sales. 

• Market access: International standards can help businesses access new markets by preventing trade barriers. 

• Sustainability: International standards can help businesses adopt sustainable practices, which can help reduce negative impacts on the environment. 

• Innovation: International standards can help facilitate choice by making it easier to compare products and services, which can encourage competition and innovation. 

• Risk management: International standards can help define principles, frameworks, and processes for risk management, which can help ensure that risk management is effective, efficient, and consistent. 

ITU World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly 2024

• The ITU World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) 2024 will be hosted in New Delhi, coinciding with GSS-24. 

• This pivotal event will bring together over 3,000 industry leaders and policymakers to shape the future of global telecommunications standards.

• It will focus on next-generation technologies such as 6G, AI, and cybersecurity.

International Telecommunication Union 

• ITU is a specialised agency of the United Nations responsible for issues related to information and communication technologies (ICT). 

• Established in 1865, ITU is one of the oldest international organisations. 

Its primary functions include:

• Setting global standards for telecommunications and ICT to ensure seamless communication across countries.

• Allocating radio frequencies and managing the global satellite orbits.

• Fostering international cooperation in the development and expansion of telecommunications infrastructure.

• Promoting access to ICTs in developing countries to bridge the digital divide.

• Headquarter: Geneva, Switzerland.

• ITU’s Members: Governments, private sector entities, and academic institutions from across the world. There are currently 194 member states of the ITU.