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“It’s proven that those countries that make the decision to commit to the ICT (information and communications technologies) development, benefit greatly, such as Armenia,” Chair of the World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) Yvonne Chiu said at her opening remarks at the World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT) 2019 being held in Yerevan, Armenia’s capital, on 6-9 October.

“Economic development depends heavily on the development of transportation and infrastructure. Today, digital economy depends heavily on the development of the ICT infrastructure. We must encourage the community to realize the importance of the ICT infrastructure for their prosperity,” she stressed.

WITSA is a leading consortium of ICT industry association members from over 80 countries/economies around the world. WITSA’s members represent more than 90 percent of the world ICT market.

Yvonne Chiu thanked the Armenian government for its support.

In his opening speech delivered at the event, WITSA Secretary General James Poisant hailed Sunday’s concert in downtown Yerevan opening the world’s largest IT event.

For the first time in world practice, the WCIT World Orchestra, composed of 70 foreign and 30 Armenian musicians, played music composed in real time by artificial intelligence technology.

The concert was directed by the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Sergey Smbatyan. World-famous DJ Armin van Buuren joined the orchestra during the performance.

“Last evening had to be the most spectacular opening in our 41 years of history. Thank you so much!” Poisant said.

On behalf of the World Information Technology and Services Alliance, Union of Advanced Technology Enterprises and Armenian government, he proclaimed WCIT 2019 officially open.

“We are gathered in beautiful Yerevan for the next three days to discuss the impact, opportunities and challenges of fulfilling the promise of the digital age… This year we will pay particular attention to the subtheme of the event, as you know, called the power of decentralization. The Internet is a great equalizer; it allows anyone, anywhere the opportunity to benefit and contribute to the digital age,” Poisant said.