The interview took place on the premises of the WSIS Forum 2012 and on the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day. Tatiana Ershova, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal and IIS General Director,  interrogated Dr. Touré on several aspects of the global information society development.

In his message on the occasion of the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, ITU Secretary-General announced the theme of this year, which is "Women and Girls in ICT". In the interview he explained why this topic was chosen among other important topics.

Dr. Touré also shared his views on the major successes and challenges of the WSIS follow-up process after Tunis summit 2005. He also spoke out on the ways to deepen and broaden the multi-stakeholder consultations that can help better shape the development agenda.

Tatiana Ershova also asked Dr. Touré about the activities of the Broadband Commission created by ITU together with UNESCO and other UN agencies, and he commented on the advantages to bring together different international organizations to bridge the broadband divide more efficiently.

ITU Secretary-General has had long relationship with Russia since he studied in St. Petersburg (Leningrad). He told how he was following Russia's way towards the information society and highly evaluated the progress the country has made.

The interview will be published in Russian in the next volume (#3) of the Information Society Journal. The English version is available here.