Mumbai: The fifth Global Standards Symposium (GSS-24) wraps up in New Delhi, making history as the first time the event has been held in the Asia-Pacific region. Organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and hosted by the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India, GSS-24 gathers a record 1,500 policymakers, innovators, and experts to chart the future of digital transformation. The event emphasises the critical role of international standards in enabling emerging technologies to drive sustainable global development.
Minister of state for communications and rural development, Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani delivers a closing address lauding India's transformation under prime minister Narendra Modi's leadership. "The standards we establish are more than just technical standards, but they are moral compasses, guiding us towards a future of shared global progress. India is ready to take this journey not alone, but with all of you as partners," Pemmasani states, advocating for an inclusive, democratic approach to international standards.
The symposium's theme, "Charting the Next Digital Wave: Emerging Technologies, Innovation, and International Standards," highlights the need for cohesive, forward-looking governance and standardisation in digital technologies. It serves as a platform for high-level dialogues on crucial issues like AI governance, open-source technologies, blockchain-based authentication, and the impact of AI and the Metaverse on public services.
Union minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia underscores India's role as a global telecommunications and digital innovation hub. He describes India as "a land of science, innovation, and rules aiding in the prosperity of the world."
The key discussions focus on bridging the standards gap between developed and developing countries, emphasising equitable access to technology for all. The AI Standards Summit, held as part of GSS-24, illustrates how consensus-based standards can ignite innovation across multiple sectors, driving technological advancements.
Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT), CEO, Rajkumar Upadhyay chairs the symposium, marking India's first time leading the event. The symposium's outcome document lays the groundwork for discussions at the World Telecommunication Standardisation Assembly (WTSA-24), taking place from 15-24 October 2024, in New Delhi.
