Zhao Houlin: Advancing innovation and inclusive growth in information and communication sector

—Individual Recipient of the 2024 World Internet Conference Distinguished Contribution Award

Zhao Houlin

Zhao Houlin is a former secretary-general of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). He joined the ITU in 1986 and was twice elected secretary-general with overwhelming support, in 2014 and 2018, becoming the first Chinese national to hold the position in the organization's 150-year history.

The ITU is a specialized agency of the United Nations, responsible for allocating and managing global radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits, setting international telecommunications standards, and supporting telecommunications development in developing countries.

During his tenure, Zhao led significant reforms within the ITU. He streamlined the standardization process by reducing approval time, strengthened standards, and worked to bridge the standardization gap between developed and developing countries. Internally, he promoted transparency, improved efficiency, and fostered an inclusive and multilingual working environment.

Zhao graduated from Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications in 1975 and began his career at the design institute of the former Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications of China. Over a 36-year career at the ITU, including 24 years in senior leadership roles, Zhao witnessed and contributed to the rapid growth of the global communications industry and the rise of China's own ICT sector.

Zhao has long been an active supporter of the World Internet Conference (WIC). At the inaugural ceremony of the WIC in 2022, he delivered a congratulatory message via video, expressing high appreciation for the WIC's commitment to fostering international cooperation and building a community with a shared future in cyberspace.

At the WIC Digital Silk Road Development Forum, Zhao called for international cooperation to enhance human well-being, emphasizing the need to harness technologies such as 5G, big data, and artificial intelligence to eliminate the access gap, usage gap, and capability gap, and to build a community with a shared future in cyberspace.

At the 2024 WIC Wuzhen Summit, Zhao highlighted the rapid evolution of advanced technologies like AI and the growing global attention to their applications and ethical governance. He stressed that achieving a balance between fostering innovation and strengthening regulations requires concerted efforts and cross-sectoral cooperation to ensure technology serves the greater good.

The World Internet Conference launched its Distinguished Contribution Award in 2024 to recognize individuals and enterprises that have made outstanding contributions to the global internet sector. The first award ceremony was held at last year's Wuzhen Summit, where seven global leaders and 14 renowned companies were honored.