Geneva, May 2 (IANS): President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, President Park Geun-hye of South Korea and Mexican billionnaire Carlos Slim Friday won the World Telecommunication and Information Society (WTIS) Award 2014.
They have been honoured by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) in recognition of their leadership and dedication towards promoting ICT (information, communication and technology) development and broadband connectivity as a means of achieving sustainable development.
"Broadband infrastructure development is a critical element in ensuring that ICTs are used innovatively as delivery vehicles for health, education, governance, trade and commerce in order to achieve sustainable socio-economic growth," said ITU Secretary General Hamadoun I. Touré, announcing the winners of the award.
The WTIS Award, which focuses on broadband connectivity for sustainable development, will be presented at a ceremony here May 16 to mark the 149th anniversary of the establishment of ITU May 17, 1865.
President Kagame is recognized for his leadership in the advancement of education and the potential of ICT as a dynamic industry as well as an enabler for Africa's socio-economic transformation.
Kagame currently chairs the UN Secretary General's Advisory Group on UN Millennium Development Goals Advocacy Group.
South Korea has consistently topped ITU's ICT Index for Measuring the Information Society. President Park's government has unveiled a set of long-term plans that foster creative talent, a move that establishes a new paradigm towards building a vibrant national economy in a digital environment.
Slim, chairman of Grupo Carso, commands a diverse range of business portfolios within the Carso Group, with América Móvil a leading supplier of telecommunications services. He has been committed to the promotion of technologies for development and his philanthropic activities have contributed to social and cultural development ranging from the promotion of arts to support in the areas of education, health, employment generation and community development.
Slim co-chairs of the ITU-UNESCO Broadband Commission for Digital Development.