( CNN ) -- Modern communications are an essential foundation for the social and economic opportunities that everyone deserves . The World Conference on International Telecommunications ( WCIT ) , currently taking place in Dubai , is a golden opportunity to provide affordable connectivity for all , including the billions of people worldwide who can not yet go online . It is our chance to chart a globally-agreed roadmap to connect the unconnected , while ensuring there is investment to create the infrastructure needed for the exponential growth in voice , video and data traffic . The conference is a landmark because , for the first time in a quarter-century , it is reviewing the International Telecommunication Regulations ( ITRs ) that govern international connectivity . Not surprisingly , there are many differing ideas about how this might be done , as well as hot debate on some proposals that have been put forward . There are 193 member countries of ITU , and all are free to express their views . However , no proposal to WCIT will be accepted unless it has very broad support . But there are more voices at WCIT than just those of government . The CEO of ICANN , Fadi Chehade , addressed the opening ceremony and emphasized the growing cooperation between his organization and ITU . And included among national delegations are dozens of representatives from industry and civil society . Read more : 'Father of the internet : ' Why we must fight for its freedom . As the neutral convener of the conference and in an effort to engage opinion worldwide , ITU has encouraged all its membership ( including over 700 private-sector entities ) , as well as civil society organizations and the press and public at large , to contribute their views . Much of the conference itself is webcast . WCIT is not a `` closed-door '' event . In fact , compared with other intergovernmental meetings of such importance , WCIT is as open as it possibly can be . ITU has always sought a multi-stakeholder approach . In 2003 and 2005 we led the way with the World Summit on the Information Society , which -- for the first time -- brought all sides together to debate how transformational information and communication technologies ( ICTs ) should shape the future . We expect the same kind of constructive cooperation to occur at WCIT . It is crucial that the Internet is not only kept open for business , but is also opened for everyone . We can then continue to innovate and gain the vast benefits that result from access to knowledge . Read more : Why are n't robots doing my dishes yet ? In all countries there are circumstances when authorities intercept or block communications that are viewed as criminal or dangerous . This is permitted under articles in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights , which is part of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights , and in the ITU Constitution . However , these are exceptions to the basic principle enshrined in those documents : The right to freedom of expression and communication . The ITRs must conform to the ITU Constitution , and nothing in the revised treaty can diminish that fundamental right to free speech . Read more : Lockitron : The app that unlocked crowd-funding success . But you need a means of communication to exercise that right . At present , two-thirds of people globally have no Internet access , and far fewer benefit from broadband . This is often forgotten by the other third , but the stark truth is that Internet is still a privilege of the minority . I spoke out recently when Internet access was shut down in Syria amid understandable outcry . What mostly went unreported is that 80 % of Syrians never had access to the Internet in the first place . This underscores our need to prioritize giving people access to ICTs . The solution requires partnership between the public and private sectors , within frameworks that encourage innovation alongside investment in areas where it is needed most . Considering measures to achieve this is one of the most important items on WCIT 's agenda . More details of all major topics are available via the ITU website . ITU 's development of technical standards , alongside the work of others , has played a key role in enabling connectivity and interoperability in today 's powerful technologies of mobile including optical fiber , television , video compression , mobile , broadband and Internet . I believe that broadband in particular can be the engine that drives progress , but without ITU standards on , for example , transport mechanisms to carry information around the world , broadband services simply would not work . The telecommunications system that enables our networked society is global , and solutions to issues such as cybersecurity must be global too . We must meet the challenge posed by the massive growth in data traffic that is not yet matched by infrastructure development . And many believe there should be a level playing field at national and international levels , to avoid abuse of power by dominant players . WCIT is where such questions can start to be openly discussed and answered . It is a world conference and a unique meeting place where issues can be debated that will have an immense impact on our lives . What is at stake is whether we advance together towards a truly connected world , or instead contemplate a deepening digital divide with all its consequences . We can not afford to miss the opportunities presented by WCIT . Through dialogue , compromise and cooperation , the conference can help lead us towards a knowledge society in which people everywhere , whatever their circumstances , can access , use , share and create data in an affordable and secure manner . That is what WCIT is about .
The World Conference on International Telecommunications is currently taking place in Dubai . In the past few years, there have been a number of attempts to create an international standard for mobile phone calls and text messages. Critics have suggested some regimes taking part may propose a ban on anonymity on the web .