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Annan calls on business leaders to bridge the 'digital divide' in poor countries

Annan calls on business leaders to bridge the 'digital divide' in poor countries

Secretary-General Kofi Annan today called on business leaders to give their full support to ongoing United Nations efforts to bridge the "digital divide" threatening to exacerbate already-wide gaps between rich and poor countries.

"Information technology is not a magic formula or panacea. But it is a powerful force that can and must be harnessed to our global mission of peace and development," Mr. Annan said in a message to "The Net World Order: bridging the Global Digital Divide" conference in New York hosted by the Business Council for the UN.

The two-day conference, which kicked off today, seeks to link technology innovation with UN efforts to expand information technology access in developing countries. It is being held at the first United States trade show that emphasizes the entire spectrum – systems, applications, networking and telecommunications – of information and communications technology products and services.

The swift emergence of a global "information society" is changing the way people live, learn, work and relate - creating new choices and opportunities in some of the most vital realms of human endeavour - yet too many of the world's people remain untouched by this revolution, Mr. Annan said in a message delivered by Amire Dossal, Executive Director UN Fund for International Partnerships.

"Timely access to news and information can promote trade, education, employment, health and wealth," Mr. Annan said. "One of the hallmarks of the information society - openness - is a crucial ingredient of democracy and good governance. Information and knowledge are also at the heart of efforts to strengthen tolerance, mutual understanding and respect for diversity."

He urged the business leaders to get involved in the World Summit on the Information Society in December, saying it "offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of the information society so that all people can enjoy these benefits."