POLITICS
Extraordinary forum on Broadband Internet held in Davos
![Extraordinary forum on Broadband Internet held in Davos](/files/2014/1/1200x630/14071452682693226413_1200x630.jpg)
Davos, January 25 (AZERTAC). An extraordinary forum of the Broadband Commission for Digital Development has been held on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Themed "Broadband Internet and sustainable development", the forum was organized by Azerbaijan`s Ministry of Communication and Information Technologies, the World Economic Forum and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
The event gathered representatives of public and private sectors, as well as civil societies from 50 countries.
Addressing the forum, Ruanda`s President Paul Kagame noted the importance of broadband internet for the modern world. He stressed the significance of cooperation and exchange of experience in this regard.
ITU`s Director General Hamadoun Touré highlighted work carried out by the Union to develop broadband internet. He hailed Azerbaijan`s efforts to provide high-speed internet access in the country.
Azerbaijan`s Minister of Communication and Information Technologies Ali Abbasov briefed participants on his country`s accomplishments in the ICT sector under President Ilham Aliyev. He said high-speed internet access had been ensured in Azerbaijan.
The forum addressed the current issues in the field of broadband Internet solutions, impact of broadband Internet on the social sphere, and further funding of broadband Internet development.
Azerbaijan ranks first among the CIS countries in terms of Internet penetration among individual users, according to "State of Broadband Report 2013". Azerbaijan ranks 66th out of 194 countries, with 54.2 percent of individual Internet users, according to the report. In 2013, Azerbaijan's ICT sector grew 14 percent, topping the average world indicator by almost two times.