The highly anticipated ITU Kaleidoscope 2024 academic conference commenced on October 21, 2024, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, India, running parallel to the World Telecommunication Standardisation Assembly 2024 (WTSA-24). This year’s theme, “Innovation and Digital Transformation for a Sustainable World”, set the stage for three days of intense discussions on cutting-edge technologies that are shaping our global digital landscape. The ITU-WTSA 24 saw the largest submissions ever in Kaleidoscope at 142 of which 100 have come from India and 40 from rest of the world.
This academic conference aims to unite scholars, industry professionals, and policymakers to explore the role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in advancing the United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDGs).
The conference will provide a platform for discussion on technological innovations and their implications for policy, regulation, and legal and ethical frameworks. This fifteenth edition of the ITU Kaleidoscope series will facilitate collaboration and debate on emerging trends that contribute to a digital and sustainable transformation benefiting humanity.
The opening plenary session began with a warm welcome from key dignitaries. Seizo Onoe, director of the ITU Telecommunication Standardisation Bureau, along with Dr. Neeraj Mittal, secretary-Telecom, Department of Telecommunications (DoT), India, and Deb Kumar Chakrabarti, director general, National Communication Academy, DoT and general chairman, Kaleidoscope 2024, highlighted the vital importance of global collaboration in shaping standards and policies to harness the full potential of emerging technologies. The plenary set the tone for the discussions to follow, underscoring the need for inclusivity, sustainability, and digital equity.
Further, a Coffee-Table Book titled “155—India and ITU” was also released on the occasion by Dr. Neeraj Mittal and Seizo Onoe.
In his inaugural address, Dr Neeraj Mittal said “Today’s gathering we have witnessed is unity in diversity where we have universities, the industry, research institutions, all of them have come together in an effort to make sure that India leads in a very sustainable, trustworthy, cooperative approach to next-generation technologies to ensure that we have ubiquitous meaningful connectivity for every citizen of the world. “
Further, he urged ITU to introduce a special programme aimed at bridging the gap between research and product, seeking avenues to bring telecom productisation in a standardised manner, as we have a plethora of ideas ready to reach the market.
Meanwhile, Seizo Onoe, added, “Academia and industry are key partners in research and development as well as bringing the latest innovations to market. Kaleidoscope supports this collaboration with the aim of bringing more strength to ITU standards and greater impact to research. I thank India once again for its outstanding support.”
Furthermore, in his opening remarks, Deb Kumar Chakrabarti, said, “This event goes beyond theoretical exploration, offering impactful dialogue that contributes directly to global standardisation. In the face of unprecedented challenges like climate change and social inequality, it is critical that technological innovation serves the broader good and benefits all members of society. Together, we will drive innovation that supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals.”
