United News of Bangladesh

Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh in Geneva Nahida Sobhan has called upon development partners to intensify efforts to mobilise investment to close the digital infrastructure gap, strengthen cybersecurity, counter misinformation and disinformation. She also called upon the development partners to address digital literacy, challenges including the gender digital divide, and support AI upskilling for the youth workforce in preparation for the future of work. The envoy highlighted Bangladesh Government’s initiatives to bridge the digital divide, strengthen public digital infrastructure, and expand financial inclusion during a roundtable discussion held at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Headquarters, said the Bangladesh Mission in Geneva on Tuesday. The roundtable was organised by ITU in participation with Ambassadors from Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, European Union, Gambia, Italy and Mexico to observe the 3rd UN Virtual Worlds Day. During the discussion, Ambassador Nahida  stated that the Government remains committed to advancing inclusive digital transformation and expanding access to technology-driven services for all, as reflected in its manifesto. Emphasising the growing impact of AI and emerging technologies on societies, the Ambassador highlighted the need to develop legal and governance frameworks for AI platforms, with focus on human rights, AI safety and security, prevention of the weaponization of AI, democratisation of AI, and enhanced international development cooperation.

Bangladesh has scored 62 out of 100 in the 2024 edition of the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) ICT Development Index (IDI). This score places Bangladesh below the average for both lower-middle-income countries, which is 64.8, and the Asia & Pacific region, which averages 77.3. In South Asia, Bangladesh’s performance is mixed compared to its neighbors. Pakistan scored 55.6, Sri Lanka 71.3, Bhutan 85.9, Maldives 81.5, and Afghanistan 33.1. Notably, India and Nepal were marked as having “insufficient data” in this year’s index. Read more: Malaysia keen on increasing investment in Bangladesh’s Telecom, ICT: Palak One of the key metrics where Bangladesh lags is universal connectivity, scoring 39.4. Internet usage among individuals stands at 38.9%, and 38.1% of households have internet access, according to ICT Development Index. Despite these challenges, Bangladesh excelled in mobile network coverage, achieving 98.5% population coverage for 3G and 4G networks. The 2024 ICT Development Index revealed an overall average score of 74.8 for the 170 economies surveyed, showing a 3.3% improvement from the previous year. Over half of the studied economies scored above 80 points, yet significant disparities remain: the lowest IDI score is 21.3, and 29 economies scored below 50 points. “Measurement is critical for achieving universal and meaningful connectivity. The journey toward a fully and meaningfully connected world is far from over, but with the right data, tools, and commitment, we can make significant strides in ensuring everyone benefits from digital connectivity, contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable future,” said Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau. “However, we have to recognize that each country has its own characteristics, faces its own challenges, and must follow its own development path.” Read more: Mobile phone calls drops: Govt to enforce stricter compensation, says Palak The ITU, a United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs), continues to drive innovation in ICTs alongside its 193 Member States and over 900 member companies, universities, and international and regional organizations. 

Bangladesh has moved up by 25 places from its previous year's rank in the latest edition of the Global Cybersecurity Index, maintained by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Scoring an impressive 81.27 in the index for 2020, Bangladesh is sitting pretty at 53rd, in a list containing 194 countries from across the globe. The index is based on weighted scores for legal system, technical skills, organizational system, capacity building and mutual cooperation. It is published on ITU’s website. Earlier, Bangladesh was ranked 78th in this index. READ: Cybersecurity firm: More Iran hacks as US sanctions loomed Scoring 100, the USA was at the highest position on the index. That may come as a surprise given the numerous high-profile hacks of American cybersecurity infrastructure that have come to light in recent months, including to interrupt the supply of critical utilities   The UK and Saudi Arabia were in second position with a score of 99.54 and Estonia is in third with a score of 99.48.