
Radar | Dec 05,2020
Nov 13 , 2021
By HAWI DADHI
An international conference scheduled to take place in Addis Abeba next year faces uncertainty following the introduction of a nationwide state of emergency two weeks ago.
The International Telecommunication Union, a specialised United Nations agency for information and communication technologies composed of 190 member countries, organizes the World Telecommunications Development Conference every four years since 1985. Ethiopia was selected to host the eighth global conference in June 2019, marking the first time it would take place in Africa.
It was initially scheduled for 2021 but was postponed in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Close to 2,500 participants, including government officials from various countries, are expected to attend.
A national organising committee chaired by the minister of Innovation & Technology and co-chaired by the Ethiopian Communications Authority (ECA) was set up two years ago. Committee members include the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Federal Police Commission and the National Intelligence & Security Services.
Organisers have expressed their disquiet after a state of emergency was declared by parliament earlier this month. There has not been any formal communication for a change of venue, Balcha Reba, director-general of the ECA, told Fortune. However, concerns have been raised informally over how the conference can be held in Ethiopia under the prevailing security circumstances.
The Director-General attributes "inaccurate reporting" by the international media for casting doubt on the security situation in Addis Abeba. Authorities remain positive that the conference can be held even if the state of emergency is extended. It would not be the first time a global meeting was held in a country under a state of emergency, Balcha says. In 2016, Turkey hosted 2,000 delegates for the 26th Universal Postal Congress under a state of emergency spanning two years.
A response was given to the officials of the ITU who raised their concerns, Huria Ali, a state minister for Innovation & Technology, disclosed.
"We've continued our work," she said.
A branded logo for the conference has been released, and a website with information and registration features was launched. The organising committee has also agreed with the UNECA to use the conference hall for the event. Over the past year, a series of virtual conferences dubbed “Road to Addis” have been hosted with senior government officials, including President Sahle-work Zewde, in attendance.
The 10-day conference is expected to generate business for the hospitality industry, transport companies and tourist sites.
A fact-finding team from the ITU had conducted an assessment in mid-October, reviewing accommodation facilities, the conference venue and reliable service in technology infrastructure.
“The team verified that we`ve fulfilled the requirements, and it has been reported [to the Union],” said Balcha.
Two days before the conference, the Ethiopian government plans to host a summit - “Generation Connect,” - for the youth from across the world and Ethiopian startups, companies and individuals working in the technology sector. Organisers also hope to present the country's progress in liberalising the telecom sector, featuring a Safaricom-led consortium that acquired a private telecom operator's license earlier this year.
“This would allow us to showcase the telecom sector's development and its future direction,” said Balcha.
The consortium, which paid 850 million dollars to buy an operating licence, is expected to begin offering services in the first quarter of 2022, based on the initial agreement between the government and the company. However, according to sources close to the matter, Safaricom's expatriate staff have left the country with their families, alarmed by the security situation.
Authorities believe this will not deter the company from making the progress it has planned.
The consortium has made deals with Nokia and Huawei for infrastructural development. Negotiations are also underway with the state-owned Ethio telecom to determine tariff rates for national roaming, interconnection and infrastructure sharing, facilitated by the Communications Authority. The two operators are making arrangements to finance future infrastructure (tower) developments jointly.
"We understand the reports that came out last week may alarm them," said Balcha. "They resorted to temporarily moving, but this doesn't mean they've stopped working."
PUBLISHED ON
Nov 13,2021 [ VOL
22 , NO
1124]
Radar | Dec 05,2020
Fortune News | Aug 31,2019
Radar | Mar 23,2019
Viewpoints | Apr 10,2021
Radar | Aug 21,2021
Agenda | Nov 27,2018
View From Arada | Oct 16,2020
Fortune News | Jul 06,2019
Commentaries | Sep 11,2020
View From Arada | Apr 16,2022
Dec 24 , 2022
Biniam Mikru heads the department of cabinet affairs under Mayor Adanech Abiebie. But...
Jul 2 , 2022 . By RUTH TAYE
On a rainy afternoon last week, a coffee processing facility in the capital's Akaki-Qality District was abuzz with activ...
Nov 27 , 2021
Against my will, I have witnessed the most terrible defeat of reason and the most sa...
Nov 13 , 2021
Plans and reality do not always gel. They rarely do in a fast-moving world. Every act...
Jan 21 , 2023
Eyob Tekalign, state minister for Finance, took to social media platforms last week t...
Jan 14 , 2023
The longing for normalcy and a semblance of individual and collective security in Eth...
Jan 7 , 2023
The hallmark of Ethiopia's contemporary leaders could be a fascination with grandeur...
Dec 31 , 2022
A change of guards in 2018 gave Ethiopians hope for better circumstances from the pre...