The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has today signed a formal agreement with the Government of Hungary represented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, confirming the hosting of ITU Telecom World 2019, from 9-12 September in Budapest, Hungary.
The Host Country Agreement was signed in Budapest by Houlin Zhao, ITU Secretary-General, and Péter Sztáray, State Secretary for Security Policy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. ITU Telecom World, a leading global technology event, will also have strong support from the Ministry of Innovation and Technology.
"ITU is delighted to be returning to Budapest, where, at ITU Telecom World 2015, we first launched our special programme and international services to help small- and medium-sized enterprises highlight and scale up their ideas and innovations," said Houlin Zhao, ITU Secretary-General. "With its thriving ICT sector and major government initiatives in areas such as SME growth, digital literacy and 5G, Budapest once again provides an exceptional location to explore global tech trends, innovations and technologies, their impact and potential to transform people's live for the better."
The event will take place at Hungexpo, and will feature an international exhibition exploring innovative technologies, services and solutions, as well as investment and partnership opportunities from governments and industry players around the world. Under the theme “Innovating together: connectivity that matters," the forum will explore a range of topics, including meaningful connectivity, regulation, digital skills development, innovation in technology and business, AI, 5G and IoT solutions. The final day of the event will be an open day, dedicated to youth, students and entrepreneurs in Hungary and the region.
The event will also include the ITU Telecom World Awards which recognize the most promising and innovative solutions with social impact from major corporations and SMEs alike. Applications for the awards will be accepted online as of April 2019.
The ICT sector forms a key part of Hungary's economy, with major government initiatives currently supporting sector growth, as well as programmes to help small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) build capacity, skills, gain access to funding and forge corporate partnerships. Hosting ITU Telecom World 2019, with its core focus on SMEs, will help underline Hungary's commitment to these vital areas and to supporting growth of the digital economy in Hungary and across the region.
For more information about how to join, visit telecomworld.itu.int and follow hashtag #ITUworld on social media for event updates.
