South Sudan has become the 193rd Member State of the United Nations International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the agency announced on Wednesday. The country, which gained its independence on July 9, has already been allocated the international dialling code +211 by ITU, following the country's recognition by the General Assembly. The dialling code became active on 28 September. “We are delighted to be able to welcome South Sudan as an ITU Member State so soon after attaining full nationhood,” Hamadoun Touré, the ITU Secretary-General. “The Government of South Sudan clearly recognizes the importance of information and communication technology (ICT) as an engine of social and economic development. We will work alongside the national authorities to leverage the power of technology, to help lift the country to new levels and fulfil the national motto of ‘Justice, Liberty, Prosperity'.” The accession of South Sudan as an ITU Member State means that it will adhere to the Radio Regulations, the international treaty which governs the use of radiocommunications among States, giving them full access rights to the frequency spectrum and satellite orbit resources managed by ITU. A high-level ITU delegation led by Brahima Sanou, the Director of ITU's Telecommunication Development Bureau, recently met with Government ministers in South Sudan to gather information on the country's needs and challenges in the area of ICT development. The first such visit by ITU, the mission paved the way for the delivery of focused assistance to the country as it embarks on its development path. BM/UN
