The Minister of Information and Communications Technology Seyed Sattar Hashemi has stated that President Masoud Pezeshkian’s administration, including the ICT Ministry, would not compromise on the people’s right to stable communications services including global internet access.
“To provide a stable, secure, and
resilient communications infrastructure, the ICT Ministry needs development of
renewable energy supply, attention to communications equity, support for
private-sector to enter international markets, and move toward data-driven
governance,” he noted.
Hashemi made the remarks at the inauguration
ceremony for communications projects, held under the theme One Connected Iran
in the presence of President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday, in which about 8,000
ICT infrastructure and developments projects were inaugurated.
“The portfolio of projects that were
officially put into operation today includes projects related to renewable
power plants for energy supply. We should commend our colleagues who, with a
sense of responsibility, and despite the specialized nature of their own areas
of work, entered this field amid the energy imbalance and worked to secure
energy for communications infrastructure.”
Hashemi noted that communications
equity is another key pillar of the development of the country’s communications
infrastructure, saying “I am very pleased and delighted that equity has not
been treated as an add-on, but has instead been incorporated into the core of
the missions of our colleagues across the communications family.”
“If today we are talking about
connecting more than 8,800 villages with high quality to the National
Information Network and the global internet, this reflects the special
attention of the ICT family to the role of equity and the realization of
communications equity.”
Noting that the unveiled ICT
projects are the beginning of an endless journey, he added: The development of
communications infrastructure with characteristics such as stability,
resilience, and security will serve as a foundation for the formation and
development of the digital economy in the country.”
Role of Private Sector in Digital
Economy
Hashemi referred to the prominent
role of the private sector in developing the country’s infrastructure and
digital economy, and said, “The ICT family has largely pursued this path with
the private sector at its core, and these efforts have continued under various
circumstances, including during wartime.”
“Today, more than 10,000
knowledge-based companies are operating in the country, and companies active in
the ICT sector account for more than 40 percent of this group. This sends a
clear message about the significant capacity of the private sector and technology
companies in the communications and information technology sector.”
The ICT Minister also expressed
his appreciation for those active in the sector.
“The people working in this field
have provided high-quality and valuable services to the public through their
efforts and, even under difficult circumstances, have sacrificed their own
interests and, in some cases, provided their services to the people free of
charge. This is an expression of the sense of responsibility and self-sacrifice
demonstrated by those active in this field.”
International Markets for ICT Firms
In another part of his speech,
Hashemi highlighted the capacities created in the digital economy, and said: “The
country’s capabilities in the digital economy have reached a level of maturity
that is welcomed at the regional level, and we must use this capacity to expand
the international presence of Iranian companies.”
Referring to the 29th
International ELECOMP Exhibition held last week, he continued, “At this
exhibition, we witnessed the participation of the Iraqi Minister of
Communications and the Iraqi side’s positive reception of the country’s
technological capabilities. Subsequently, by holding more specialized meetings
and examining the details, we put the development of technological cooperation
with Iraq on our agenda.”
“In the near future, we will see
a more significant role for the country’s digital-economy ecosystem in the
international arena, with a focus and priority on regional markets, and that
these capabilities will be able to create value for the country.”
Data-Driven Governance a
Strategic Necessity
Hashemi went on to identify the
provision of government and governance-related services as another important
pillar of the ICT Ministry programs and stated “For a manager to move properly
through the decision-making and policy-making system, accurate and timely data
are necessary.”
“Despite the efforts that have
been made in this area, additional efforts must be undertaken so that we can
truly achieve data-driven governance in the country. This is not a choice; it
is a strategic necessity.”
Also referring to measures
undertaken in cooperation with the private sector and in the ecosystem of smart
government and Smart Iran project, he said “This path will be pursued under the
leadership of the Information Technology Organization of Iran.”
“With the emphasis placed by the
President, we will strive to ensure that data-driven governance contributes to
data-based planning, increased productivity, the facilitation of people’s
affairs, and greater transparency—an issue that has consistently been on the
agenda of the President Pezeshkian’s administration and has been emphasized by him.”
People Feedback as a Measure
of Success
In the final part of his remarks,
Hashemi stressed the need for the impact of the ICT Ministry’s actions to be
tangible for the public and said, “All these measures are valuable only when
our dear people feel their impact in their daily lives.”
“Despite all the efforts and hard
work that have been carried out, these efforts will only have achieved their
goal when people feel that something different has happened in their lives.
This must be placed on the agenda as a clear criterion and indicator for
evaluating performance.”
Hashemi stressed that people have
the right to see the impact of public investment in their lives and, in
proportion to their legitimate needs, to benefit from a high-quality network,
stable internet, and easier-to-use services.
“This is the people’s right and a
civil right, and the 14th Administration, the President, and the ICT Ministry,
acting on behalf of the government, will not compromise on this fundamental
right of the people.”
He thanked President Pezeshkian’s
support for the ICT family and also offered special thanks to the people for
their cooperation and responsible demands, and thanked members of the media for
their constructive criticism and their role in charting Iran’s future path.