The Statement of
H.E Dr. Mahmoud Vaezi,
the Minister for Information
and Communication Technology
of the Islamic Republic of Iran
at WSIS+10 High-Level event
10-13 June 2014, Geneva
In the Name of God, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful
Mr. Chairman
Honorable Ministers
Excellencies
Distinguished Delegates
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It gives me great pleasure to address the WSIS high-level meeting, here in Geneva. The
Islamic Republic of Iran took part in Geneva Summit in 2003 and in Tunis Summit in 2005
as well as in annual fora in the past 9 years. We appreciate the efforts made by the ITU's
Secretary General, Dr. Hamadoun Toure and other individuals for their dedication throughout
these years.
The Islamic Republic of Iran reiterates the importance and full implementation of both phases
of WSIS, including Enhanced Cooperation with the participation of all, especially the
developing countries. The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that a people-centered, inclusive
and development-oriented Information Society could contribute to the achievement of
internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the Millennium
Declaration, and needs to keep its role in post-2015 development agenda to address new
challenges faced by ICTs.
I would like to express our concern regarding the digital divide between the developed and
the developing countries. In this regard, the activities need to ensure the access to information
and communication technologies by all, and should result in supporting national efforts in
developing countries in the area of building, improving and strengthening capacities to allow
their involvement in all aspects of the global information society.
The Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirms the centrality of the role of the UN General Assembly
in the overall review of the implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit on the
Information Society, as recognized in the Tunis Agenda. The importance and universality of
the information society and its implications on sovereignty of states requires such overall
review to be pursued through an intergovernmental process.
Regarding the internet governance, Iran believes it constitutes the most important component
of the information society, and should be carried out according to the Geneva principles, that
all governments should have an equal footing to carry out their roles and responsibilities in
the international public policy issues pertaining to the Internet.
Mr. Chairman,
In conclusion I would like to enumerate some of the mega projects related to the information
society at both the infrastructural and service levels which has been implemented in the
Islamic Republic of Iran:
 Providing high speed Internet to 4300 rural areas, and commissioning 7 National
Internet Data Centers (IDCs) that are based on Cloud Computing, both of which were
inaugurated on the World Telecommunications and Information Society Day 2014;
 Establishing more than 10,000 rural ICT centers which will result in sustainable ICTbased communities in rural areas;
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Implementing the Iran's National School Network and the Iran's National Science and
Technology Network for connecting schools, universities and centers of higher
education;
Providing e-government services via the national portal with a view to utilizing the
ICT for sustainable development and green environment;
Accelerating the development of the Iran National Information Network (ININ),
which will expand local contents and services to our nation. This will utilize the ICT
as the cornerstone of future social, economic, and cultural developments in Iran. We
encourage and welcome investments and activities of the private sector in furtherance
of the objectives of the Iran National Information network.
Mr. Chairman
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I wish success for this high-level meeting and look forward to witnessing more achievements
towards the ideal information society, which will make this world a better place for all.
Thank you.