Equipment with ICT Knowledge should be Legislated as a Human Right says Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh

“The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are eight international development goals that were established following the Millennium Summit of the United Nations in 2000, following the adoption of the United Nations Millennium Declaration. All 189 United Nations member states at the time and at least 23 international organizations committed to help achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. The goals include eradication of poverty and hunger, achieving universal primary education, promotion of gender equality and empowerment of women, reduction in child mortality, improvement of maternal health, combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases, ensure environmental sustainability and develop a global partnership for development. However the agenda of MDGs did not enumerate on an action plan towards achieving the goals. As we draw closer to the year 2015 we realize that the goals are unmet due to shortfall of an efficient action plan”, said Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, Founder and Chair, Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organisation on the third day of deliberations of the Global Economic Summit on “Asia: Powering Global Markets” jointly organised by World Trade Centre Mumbai and All India Association of Industries.

Addressing the issue Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh suggested that each country draw national MDGs and adhere to timelines to meet them. The national MDGs should include ICT based capacity building programs, digital education, ICT literacy campaign, E-government services and smart migration to computer cloud. ICT equipment of one and all is the need of the hour and should be legislated as a human right. Women empowerment with quality education and employment centric education are the other important goals besides ICT.

Mr. Bruno Masier, President, World Trade Point Federation (WTPF) gave member certification to Trade Point Mumbai commending its excellent work towards global collaboration and network building. We look forward to many years of collaboration with Trade Point Mumbai towards trade growth in the days to come, Mr. Masier said.

Mr. Vijay Kalantri, Vice-Chairman, WTC Mumbai and President, All India Association of Industries announced theme of the 5th edition of the GES on Agro and Food Processing. Agriculture, with its allied sectors, is unquestionably the largest livelihood provider in the world, more so in the vast rural areas. It also contributes a significant figure to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Sustainable agriculture, in terms of food security, rural employment, and environmentally sustainable technologies such as soil conservation, sustainable natural resource management and biodiversity protection, are essential for holistic development of a nation, Mr. Kalantri explained.

MOUs to promote economic cooperation, trade and investment were signed in between World Trade Centre Mumbai and World Trade Centre Quanzhou, WTC Mumbai and Trade Point Lomas De Zamora, All India Association of Industries and Trade Point Lomas De Zamora, WTC Mumbai and Maharashtra Centre for Entrepreneurship Development Aurangabad and All India Association of Industries and World Trade Point Federation.

Capt. Somesh Batra, Vice-Chairman, WTC Mumbai proposed the vote of thanks.