UN discusses access to information technology

The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) began its 2000, month-long substantive session at the UN headquarters on Wednesday, beginning with the problem of access of developing countries to modern information and communications technology.

The president of the Council, Makarim Wibisono of Indonesia, explained in his opening address that ECOSOC chose to focus on the issue at this year's three-day high level-segment of the session to ensure that developing countries do not miss out on information and communication technologies which are creating a new global economic system.

"This year's high-level segment will seek to harness the power and promise of information and communication technologies in the service of development.

The theme is 'Development and Co-operation in the Twenty-first Century: the Role of Information Technology in the Context of the Knowledge-based Global Economy.

Wibisono noted that the world is currently witnessing the convergence of globalization, interdependence and the information revolution.

These issues, he said, pose many challenges, risks and opportunities that can be harnessed for the benefit of development.

For instance, he said, the Internet industry is now worth seven trillion dollars with countries with high access and connectivity recording a boom in their economies.

But he also pointed out that too many developing countries have remained outside of the revolution, thus creating a great digital divide.

"Our great challenge, therefore, during the high- level segment.. is to seek ways and means to overcome the broad spectrum of constraints blocking access and connectivity for the developing countries and to explore strategies at the national, regional and global levels to effectively harness the most powerful technological revolution of our time," he remarked.

Prior to the session, ECOSOC had organized intensive preparations, including discussions in New York and various regions.

Attending the high-level segment are the US Treasury Secretary, Lawrence Summers; the President of the World Bank, James Wolfensohn and the Deputy Managing Director of the IMF, Eduardo Aninat, among others.

Besides the high-level segment, the ECOSOC session will also meet in four other segments covering such issues as implementation of the Habitat agenda and humanitarian assistance.