ITU, TRA sign deal on ICT museum

International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) of the United Arab Emirates have entered a deal for a state-of-the-art Information and Communications Technology (ICT) museum, reports CHARLES OKOH.

A press statement made available to ITRealms Online informed that the Secretary-General of ITU, Dr. Hamadoun Touré and Director-General, Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) of the United Arab Emirates, Mr. Mohamed Al Ghanim, concluded the deal with signing of relevant agreement for the establishment of a brand new museum of ICT, with focus on the past, present and future impact of ICTs on human lives around the world.

To be called the ICT Exploratorium, the new museum will be housed at ITU headquarters in Geneva.

The sealing of the deal at the weekend saw TRA of UAE becoming the founding partners of the new learning centre, through a donation of USD 2 million towards its design and construction.
ITU will undertake the acquisition of exhibits, equipment and other resources.

Planned to be open in 2010, the centre will boost ITU’s profile and raise the visibility of its members, founding partners and sponsoring exhibitors.

Speaking at the ceremony held in Abu Dhabi, Dr. Touré said ITU has been honoured with the commitment of TRA on the berthing of the ICT Exploratorium, and welcomed both UAE and TRA as the museum founding partners.

“ As we all know, ICTs are not just about technologies any more – they are closely linked with every aspect of our daily lives. This is why ITU as the unique body dealing with ICT issues from a global perspective, has been committed to establishing an ICT Exploratorium. And why we are so pleased to accept the United Arab Emirates’ vital contribution,” Toure said.

Responding, Director General of UAE TRA, Mr. Mohamed Al Ghanim, was quoted as saying that the ICT Exploratorium is an exciting and distinct initiative of ITU that will enable visitors to appreciate the innovation in the ICT sector.

“The United Arab Emirates and the TRA feel privileged and honoured to be part of this ITU project and anticipate that our status of founding partners of the ICTE with ITU will be a credible testimony of the long-standing cordial relationship between the UAE and ITU,” Al Ghanim said.

The new museum will be open to the general public, ITU delegates and visiting experts free of charge, and will strive to inform visitors about the latest exciting developments in ICTs and ITU’s role in helping ‘Connect the World’.

In addition to featuring interactive exhibits depicting cutting-edge ICT systems and their role in transforming the way we live, the ICT Exploratorium will also host rotating exhibitions on key topics, including new inventions, emergency communications, ICTs and climate change, and the future of the Internet.


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