Connections through technology are vital amidst COVID-19 : UN Chief

COLOMBO (News1st) : UN chief Antonio Guterres, in a message to mark World Telecommunication Day, has said that social connections made through technology are vital during the coronavirus pandemic. "Information technology can be a beacon of hope, allowing billions of people around the world to connect," Guterres said in a message on the UN website. This year's World Telecommunication and Information Society Day is being celebrated under the theme "Connect 2030: ICTs for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)". The theme highlights the importance of identifying IT-enabled solutions for economic, environmental, and social sustainability, according to the UN. Sri Lanka has adopted the UN's SDG program, aiming to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. "The SDGs recognize that the spread of ICT and global interconnectedness has great potential to accelerate human progress and to bridge the digital divide," the UN said. The World Telecommunication Day marks the creation of the International Telecommunication Union and the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention.