(LINA) - Liberia on Monday observed World Telecommunication and Information Society Day as a Working Holiday.

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf by Proclamation declared May 17 as World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, and, since the day fell on Sunday, commemoration is taking place Monday, May 18.

The Proclamation is in consonance with the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution (A/RES/60/252) in May 2006 stipulating that World Information Society Day shall be celebrated on the 17 of May each yea.

A Foreign Affairs Ministry release says the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) comprised of 192 member states and over 700 sector members and is the Specialized Agency of the United Nations (UN) responsible to facilitate development of Telecommunication and ICT services globally.

The Proclamation further states that the Government of Liberia being a founding member of the ITU shall support and uphold rules and procedures set by the world body.

The Proclamation emphasized Liberia’s strive to support plans of the ITU and the Summit on Information Society (WSIS), geared towards building competencies in ICT, especially of women and girls and physically challenged individuals through the promotion of equitable access to opportunities provided by ICT.

The government through the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications will join members states of ITU to celebrate the Day under the theme: “Telecommunication and ICTs: Drivers Of Innovations”.
LINA GDJ/PTK