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UN agency ITU to set up area office for South Asia in New Delhi
Mumbai: The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) – United Nations specialised agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs), is set to open in New Delhi by mid-2022. The planned area office, funded by the government of India, will enhance regional initiatives for sustainable and inclusive digital transformation in South Asia.
The ITU area office and innovation centre aims to strengthen technology cooperation and boost regional telecommunications development. Through a closer presence, ITU hopes to advance shared regional priorities, such as reducing disparities between developing and developed countries in terms of Internet access, digital skills, and other socio-economic indicators after the Covid-19 pandemic.
From India’s national capital, the new office will implement ITU initiatives and provide technical assistance and policy guidance on information and communication technologies (ICTs) in South Asia.
“Today’s agreement is an important step in the enduring partnership between ITU and the Republic of India, and between ITU and the South Asia sub-region,” said ITU secretary-general Houlin Zhao. “I’m confident that the establishment of an ITU area office for South Asia in New Delhi will help to push the boundaries of innovation and accelerate digital transformation for all people and communities across India, the region and beyond.”
India’s minister of communications Ashwini Vaishnaw welcomed the opportunity for closer regional and international engagement through the signing of a host-country agreement for the office.
“India is proud to partner with ITU on this progressive initiative for the region, which will advance shared regional priorities, help reduce disparities with developed countries, and strengthen South Asia’s post-Covid recovery. India is determined to bridge the digital divide and help address the ensuing inequalities in digital access affecting the entire region,” he said.
ITU promotes inclusive connectivity for all as a key part of global sustainable development. Governments, companies, research institutes, and civil society organisations from around the world, gathered at the last ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in Dubai in 2018, noted the need for an upgraded regional presence to conduct programmes and projects harnessing technologies for sustainable development.
ITU regional and area offices report to the director of ITU’s telecommunication development bureau, currently Doreen Bogdan-Martin, who said she was excited about the opening of the South Asia area office in New Delhi.
“This new office will allow ITU to broaden partnerships, building upon current work and facilitating digital innovation,” she said. “ITU will work, together with the Government of India, to ensure that the new office strengthens ITU’s regional presence, by bringing ITU closer to member countries, and further enhances ITU’s capability to help them recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, accelerate the achievement of sustainable development, and at the same time advance digital transformation.”
ITU’s South Asia team will focus specifically on setting up an innovation centre for exchanges of ideas, success stories, innovative solutions, and global endeavours, promoting the introduction of advanced technologies, contributing to the development of ICT/telecommunication networks and services in South Asia, providing technical assistance in relation to infrastructure, e-governance, and cross-sectoral ICT applications, assisting with human resources and capacity development and conducting other activities related to ITU’s mandate to connect the world and support the UN sustainable development goals.
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Parineeti Chopra hosts new parenting series Mom Talks on Zee5 and Bullet
Celebrity parents share honest stories in 9-episode show launching 4 April 2026.
MUMBAI: Parineeti Chopra is stepping into a brand-new role not on the big screen, but as the warm, relatable host helping parents navigate the beautiful chaos of raising children. Bullet microdrama and Zee5 have announced the launch of Mom Talks, a fresh content-led IP hosted by the popular actress. The 9-episode series brings together celebrity parents including Imran Khan, Neha Dhupia, Vikrant Massey & Sheetal, and Gauahar Khan & Zaid Darbar to share candid, real-life perspectives on everyday parenting.
Positioned as a high-engagement format, Mom Talks taps into the growing demand for authentic and credible parenting content. It also offers seamless, contextual integration opportunities for brands. The series is backed by a strong lineup of partners including Johnson’s Baby, GSK, Aveeno Baby, Mini Klub, Titan Eye+ and Cordelia Cruises.
Bullet microdrama app, co-founder & chief business officer Azim Lalani said the show exemplifies how content is evolving towards more rooted, sustained engagement. “It’s about bringing content that people come back to, while creating a natural space for brands to be part of the narrative,” he noted.
Mom Talks creator Bullet head of AVOD & partnerships Munaf Merchant explained the core idea, “We wanted to build a safe, honest, one-stop destination for parents seeking real answers to everyday questions.”
The first episodes will stream for free on ee5 AVOD starting 4 April 2026, with new episodes dropping every Friday and Saturday. The series will also be available on the Bullet microdrama app.
Speaking about their association, Peeyush Unikkat from Johnson’s Baby highlighted the brand’s focus on supporting modern parenting journeys, while Aakash Mehta from GSK emphasised the show’s role in making important health conversations more relatable for new parents.
In a digital space often filled with filtered perfection, Mom Talks promises something refreshingly real honest conversations, celebrity insights, and practical wisdom, all wrapped in Parineeti Chopra’s engaging presence. For Indian parents, this could be the parenting series they’ve been waiting to binge.
