Morocco pleads for digital solidarity pact at World Summit on Information Society

Morocco has pleaded for a "Digital Solidarity Pact" at the opening session, in Geneva Wednesday, of the first World Summit on Information Society (WSIS).

Moroccan communication minister and government spokesman, Nabil Abdallah told the summit that this pact is the best means to achieve "a world society of communication and information, respectful of the spirit of democracy, and cultural and linguistic diversity."

The minister called for a "strong political will" and for the participation of all UN specialised institutions, social and economic development funds, as well as the contribution of developed countries, private sector and the civil society to reach such an objective. He insisted in this regard on the adoption of what he called a digital solidarity pact in favour of those countries which lag behind, a pact, he said, that should be based on mutual assistance between developed and developing countries to bridge the digital gap.

"We are convinced that should our summit fail to craft adequate solution to this issue, the development crisis would be more profound in several countries," he warned.

Benabdallah recalled the different political, social and economic reforms in Morocco, in particular the liberalization in 1997 of the communication sector, now open to foreign investments.

Delegates from more than 170 countries, including some 50 presidents and heads of government are attending the three-day summit which aims to bridge the rich-poor digital divide amid growing concern from the developing countries and civil society about its outcome. The summit is expected to come up with solutions to issues on internet governance and a global plan to ensure everyone's access to IT.

"Let us embrace these new technologies, building up an open, empowering information society is a social, economic and ultimately political challenge," United-Nations secretary- General Kofi Annan told world leaders at the inaugural ceremony.