Telkom has been recognised with an award from the Telecommunication Development Bureau, the development arm of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU-D), the world agency governing information and communication technology. Telkom was named the longest-serving member of the ITU-D from the Africa region.

“Telkom’s membership of the ITU-D is evidence of its belief in ICT as a vital instrument of development. We believe strongly in its objectives, which include fostering international cooperation, creating an enabling environment for ICT development, and increasing human and institutional capacity,” said Siyabonga Mahlangu, Group Executive: Regulatory Affairs and Government Relations. The award was made at the ITU World Telecommunication Development Conference on 11 October.

The ITU-D is commemorating 25 years of existence, and is recognising members from each world region who have supported it the longest. Other awardees include Orange from Europe, Pt Indonesia from Asia and Telecom Mexico from the Americas.

The ITU-D will also honour its past director, Dr Hamadoun Toure, who is a non-executive director at Telkom. Dr Toure served as secretary-general of the ITU from 2007 to 2014 and was a member of the International Multilateral Partnership Against Cyber Threats (IMPACT) International Advisory Board. He has worked to fulfil the ITU’s mandate of “connect the world” since 2007.