The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) announced on Wednesday that the world’s youngest country, South Sudan, has joined the United Nations (UN) agency for information and communication technology (ICT).

South Sudan became the union’s 193rd member State on Monday. The country, which gained its independence on July 9, had been allocated the international dialling code +211 by the ITU, following its recognition by the UN general assembly. The dialling code became active on September 28.

“We are delighted to welcome South Sudan as an ITU member State so soon after attaining full nationhood. The government recognises the importance of information and communication technology as an engine of social and economic development. We will work alongside the national authorities to leverage the power of technology, to help lift the country to new levels and fulfil the national motto of 'justice, liberty, prosperity',” ITU secretary-general Dr Hamadoun Touré said in a statement.

The accession of South Sudan as an ITU member State implies its adhesion to the Radio Regulations, the international treaty which governs the use of radio communications among the world’s nations, giving it full access rights to the frequency spectrum and satellite orbit resources managed by ITU.

A high-level ITU delegation led by ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau director Brahima Sanou recently met with South Sudan Ministers, with the aim of acquiring first-hand information on the country’s needs and challenges in the area of ICT development. The mission paved the way for the delivery of focused assistance to the country as it embarked on its development path.

For over 145 years, ITU had coordinated the shared global use of the radio spectrum, promoted international cooperation in assigning satellite orbits, worked to improve communication infrastructure in the developing world, and established the worldwide standards that foster seamless interconnection of a vast range of communications systems. This included broadband networks to new-generation wireless technologies, aeronautical and maritime navigation, radio astronomy, satellite-based meteorology and converging fixed-mobile phone, Internet and broadcasting technologies.