Sponsored editorial | The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations specialized agency for ICT, is now accepting entries for the ITU Telecom World Awards 2018, recognising the most outstanding and innovative initiatives around the globe using ICTs for social good.

Entries can be submitted online today through to 3 August 2018. A distinguished jury of experts will select a shortlist of entrants who will pitch their solutions onsite at ITU Telecom World 2018. The winners will then be announced by ITU secretary-general Houlin Zhao at a high-profile ceremony during ITU Telecom World 2018, taking place from 10 to 13 September in Durban, South Africa.

First launched in 2015, the ITU Telecom World Awards initiative recognises the innovative application of ICTs for social good created by entrepreneurs; small and medium-sized enterprises; and large industry players alike. It also facilitates knowledge sharing of best practices, while providing a platform from which to network, mobilise investment, explore partnership potential and create new business opportunities.

The ITU Telecom Awards 2018 welcomes entrants in the following categories:

Global Corporate Awards for the most promising innovative solutions with social impact within large companies in two categories: sustainable development and smart emerging technologies.
Global SME Award for the most promising solutions from SMEs making innovative use of ICTs for social impact, in a number of different categories.
Host Country SME Award for the best and most innovative SME or solution from South Africa.
Government Award for the national pavilion at ITU Telecom Word 2018 with the most promising innovative SMEs present at the event, entering the Global SME Award.

All ITU Telecom World 2018 sponsors and exhibitors, either participating within a national pavilion or thematic pavilion, as an independent stand, or with an SME workstation, are eligible to enter the awards.

“Previous ITU Telecom World Awards winners have represented the innovative application of ICTs in the areas of e-health, e-education, digital finance and smart emerging technologies. Winners earn global recognition, helping them to expand and scale up their businesses, while improving livelihoods through their innovative use of technology,” said secretary-general Zhao. “The ITU is proud to have developed this platform for promoting innovative examples of ‘tech for good’ and I look forward to exploring the next wealth of winners this September in Durban.”

ITU Telecom World is a global platform for accelerating ICT innovation and is organised annually by ITU. It aims to deliver economic development and social good faster through its exhibition for digital solutions, forum for sharing knowledge, and networking hub connecting nations, organisations and individuals.

“The network and connections you can build at ITU Telecom World are invaluable — from a business perspective, an investor perspective and a networking perspective,” said Matthias Brodner of South Africa’s Simplus Innovation, winner of the 2017 Global SME Award for best business model.

ITU Telecom World 2018 takes place from 10 to 13 September at the Durban International Convention Centre. Under the theme “Innovation for a smarter world”, it will combine an international tech exhibition, a forum for sharing knowledge, a networking hub for corporates, governments and SMEs, in addition to the influential ITU Telecom World Awards. It provides a unique international platform that brings together developed and emerging markets, public and private sector leaders, and industry representatives from across the entire ICT ecosystem.

For more information on ITU Telecom World 2018 and the ITU Telecom World Awards, visit www.telecomworld.itu.int. Discover what’s been said on social media via the hashtag #ITUworld