Annan calls for international cooperation to face Y2K computer software problem
The international community is a long way from being ready to face the year 2000 computer problem (Y2K), Pakistan's Ahmed Kamal, chairman of the United Nations Working Group on Informatics told a UN-sponsored group of people working on the problem yesterday.
Kamal said at the opening of yesterday's meeting, in which national coordinators from more than 130 countries participated, that December 31, 1999 is an inflexible deadline for solving the problem, adding that the international community must ensure the maximum possible compliance by that date and plan for crisis situations that he characterized as certain as a result of the problem.
The Y2K problem endangers the normal operation of computer systems around the world, because many computers in use worldwide in these critical areas were not designed to make the switch from years beginning with the numerals "19" to years beginning with "20."
UN Undersecretary-General for Management Joseph Connor said that solving the problem could cost as much as $600 billion globally. He estimated that possible related litigation after the event could total $1.4 trillion.
The problem has already had tangible effects such as the rejection of credit cards as "expired" by non-compliant equipment, Connor added. He said that the scope of the problem's effects is uncertain, and failures by non-compliant equipment could cause a "domino effect" including even equipment that is compliant.
Y2K compliance levels vary widely in different countries, and specific areas that have medium to low compliance include telecommunications, manufacturing, energy, shipping, government services, health care, retail small and medium businesses, agriculture and construction, Connor said.
He added that well-founded preparations before and contingency plans after December 31, 1999 could limit the effects of the Y2K problem for most people to that of an inconvenience rather than a major problem.
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan also addressed the meeting, saying, "Let us spare no effort in meeting that challenge head-on."
Annan said that if the Y2K problem goes unresolved it will affect people's lives on both the national and international levels, "On the national level, people face disruption in their daily lives. Energy supplies, supplies on supermarket shelves, public transport and health care will all be affected. This is in itself a major challenge.
"At the international level, the impact will be felt through the global interdependencies of trade, manufacturing, transport, energy generation and distribution, telecommunications and defense technology. International cooperation is crucial to minimize the impact on cross-border activities," Annan stated.