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| Hon. Prof. Makame Mnyaa Mbarawa (MP.), Minister for Works, Transport and Communication of the United Republic of Tanzania delivering key note address to the 8th Green Standards Week, 9-12 April, 2018 at Sea Cliff Zanzibar Tanzania. |
Honourable Dr. Sira Ubwa Mwamboya,
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Communication, Revolutionary
Government of Zanzibar;
Dr. Maria Sasabo, Permanent Secretary
(Communication), Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication;
Ambassador Ramadhan Mwinyi, Deputy
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation;
Dr. Chaesub Lee, Director, Telecommunication
Standardization Bureau, ITU;
Eng. James Kilaba, Director General,
Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority;
Eng. Peter Ulanga, Chief Executive
Officer, Universal Communications Service Access Fund (UCSAF);
Your Excellencies;
Distinguished Delegates,
Member of the press;
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is the utmost honour to the United
Republic of Tanzania to welcome all participants as a host country of the 8th Green
Standards Week. Allow me on behalf of the Government of the United Republic of
Tanzania to commend the work done by the ITU, UN Habitat, United Nations University
(UNU), United Nations Industrial Development Organization(UNIDO), Basel
Convention and UN Environment, Universal Communications Service Access Fund
(UCSAF), Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) and the organizing
committee for preparation of this important meeting; and I once again welcome
you all in this beautiful Zanzibar, Tanzania. Karibuni sana.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Since the Green Standards Week is a global
platform for discussion and knowledge-sharing; I would like each participant to
use this forum to raise awareness on importance and opportunities for using
information and communication technologies (ICTs) to protect the environment,
unlock the potential of circular economy and expedite the transition to smart
sustainable cities. As ICT stakeholders, therefore, our main
task should be to ensure that ICT support efforts of environmental conservation
and that no one is left behind when it comes to effective utilization of ICT for eradication
of negative impacts associated with use of ICT including; Carbon
emissions, radiation and e-waste. This year’s theme “Linking of
Circular economy and industry 4.0” has come at the right time when
Tanzania is embracing nationwide policy “Nurturing Industrialization
for Economic Transformation and Human Development”.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Allow me to share briefly Tanzania’s
efforts and experiences towards the development of ICT and facilitation of
Linking Circular Economy and Industry 4.0. The Government of
the United Republic of Tanzania recognizes the important role of ICT for rapid
socio-economic growth in its aspiration to become a middle-income economy by
2025 and attain the Government policy on industrialization. To facilitate
effective adoption and utilization of ICTs, the Government has been setting
pro-ICT policies and supportive legal, regulatory and institutional frameworks.
The
National ICT Policy 2016 provides a comprehensive framework for guiding the
development and growth of the sector to ensure optimal benefits to the nation
and its citizens. This policy addresses a wide range of issues including of
e-waste management, environment conservation, ICT safety, ICT Human Capital
Development and raising awareness to the public on different matters pertaining
to ICTs. Specifically, the Policy states “the Government shall put in place
appropriate mechanisms for electronic waste (e-waste) management for safety of
people and environment protection”. In addition, National Environment
Policy (1997) and associated regulations sets overall framework for
environmental management issues in the country that includes e-waste
management.
In total, the National policies, legal,
regulatory, institutional and converged licensing framework has served as a
catalyst for stimulating the ICT development and economic growth.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
To promote growth in ICT, Tanzania adopted
a technology neutral license framework. This resulted in
Construction of broadband infrastructures with over 25,000 Km Optic Fiber Cable
connects all regions, link to neighbouring countries as well as to the undersea
cables of Seacom and Eassy landing on the shores. Tanzanians are already
enjoying the benefits, as prices of Internet access and core transmission have
dropped significantly. Furthermore, the licencing of nine mobile
network operators in the country has proven to be an important tool in bridging
the digital gap between rural and urban areas. We are working hard to make sure
the few remaining unconnected areas will be connected soon as we need to see
all people in the country participate fully in the digital economy.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Accompanying the deployment and
utilization of ICTs within the economy and society we have experienced some
challenges in the areas of e-Waste, security safety and health related risks
from radiation. With a highly competition environment, erection of towers and
related equipment are not avoidable. From the rapid change of
technologies, including migration to digital TV transmission, evolvement of
mobile phone from analogue in the beginning of 2000 to Internet IP based smart
gadgets within a short period has left a number of unused electronic
equipment.
Frequent changes is seen as Providing a
safe environment for digital participation is crucial in facilitating effective
use of ICT for sustainable development. Moreover, Frequent
change in technology provide little time for field
testing before mass marketing and if not closely monitored may
result in health related risk, while wide capabilities of tools may infringe
the security and safety if not well managed. These challenges
becomes of high concern for developing countries that depend on imports for
most of ICT solutions.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Provision of a safe environment for
digital participation is crucial in facilitating effective use of ICT for
sustainable development. Efforts that the Government of Tanzania has
taken to address these issues include putting in place Electronic and Postal
Communications Regulations on Equipment Standards and establishment of Central
Equipment Identification Register (CEIR). Furthermore, The quality of service regulations addresses radiation
Protection. The Government has banned usage in Tanzania of counterfeit
equipment from 2016 to address for security, safety and environment
concerns.
Despite these efforts and commitments,
there are still challenges such as public understanding of e-waste management
and safety related issues; lack of appropriate frameworks that address
disposing electronic products after its use; and information treatment; with
the industrialization initiative being implemented, we look forward to
establish recycling industries and building necessary capacity for e-waste
management so as to curb the situation.
Ladies and Gentlemen
We look forward in this forum to share
experience and expertise and through networking and discussions. I urge the
forum to contemplate on how we could establish a centralized resource in the
region for efficient utilization of resources to a viable project in e-waste
management.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In line with all the above, It is crucial
to increase local skilled and competent ICT human resources base in our
countries. The skills will lead to; Innovation and Entrepreneurship in ICTs;
Research and Development in ICT; Development of industries to manufacture and
assemble ICT products; and Proper policies for adoption of new emerging
technologies and solutions like Internet of Things (IoT) and Over the Top
(OTT).
It is
through the ITU that we will continue to get a frameworks and
standards. All that is required is to be ready to collaborate and
share experiences with the ITU and each other member in order to make the
initiatives a reality.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This forum is important for
deliberating and knowledge sharing in raising awareness on environmental
protection, circular economy and the transition to smart sustainable cities. It
is my great expectation that as a team the experiences we share will help in
implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as well as the
ITU’s Connect 2020 Agenda for Global Telecommunication /ICT Development and the
National and sector specific policies in our countries. I believe, these will
be attainable through (i) Human and institutional capacity development; (ii) Fostering
innovation and industrialization especially in developing countries.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Finally, I wish to reiterate Tanzania’s
commitment to co-operate with other members and the ITU in enhancing
socio-economic development of all member states through ICT. Once
again, on behalf of the Government and people of Tanzania, I would like to
express profound gratitude to the ITU for considering the United Republic of
Tanzania as a host of this remarkable 8th Green Standards Week,
and wish you success in all the deliberations.
Asante sana
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