UN-backed summit aims to spread benefits of information technologies
More than 50 Heads of State or government have so far signalled their participation in the first phase of a United Nations-backed summit that aims to bring the benefits of information and communications technologies for social and economic development to people in all parts of the world.
The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) will be held from 10 to 12 December in Geneva, with more than 6,000 delegates from government, intergovernmental organizations, civil society, the private sector and the media. The second phase will be held in Tunisia in 2005.
The Summit is being held under the patronage of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and is being organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the UN's specialized agency for telecommunications.
"The commitment of so many heads to participate in the Summit is very important, as it will be the first opportunity to address in a global forum and at the highest political level the challenges that lie ahead in the Information Society," said ITU Secretary-General Yoshio Utsumi. "There have been many benefits in the explosive development of information and communication technologies, especially in terms of creating jobs and wealth, but it is also raising legitimate concerns, such as ensuring access to information and communication technology, while preserving fundamental freedoms and human rights, security and privacy."
The World Summit will address some of these concerns by establishing a common understanding about how to capitalize on the opportunities, while addressing the challenges of the information society.
"As information and communication technologies become more important in all aspects of our lives, it is important that no one should be left behind," Mr Utsumi added. The draft action plan of the Summit proposes a commitment to connect all of the world's villages with information and communication technologies by 2015, and to connect at least half the world's inhabitants by that date.