Conference at UN Calls for Clear Understanding of Development Potential for Wireless Internet Technology
04 Jul 2003Dubai – The United Nations Information and Communication Technologies Task Force (UN ICT TF) and the Wireless Internet Institute (W2i) hosted the Conference on the Wireless Internet Opportunity for Developing Nations, at the UN headquarters in New York last week.
The conference included over 200 participants working in this field, in addition to government officials, international development experts, academics, NGOs and experts from the private sector. They gathered to derive solutions for successful use of the wireless internet in developing nations.
Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, Vice-Chair of the UN ICT TF and Chairman of the Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization (TAGorg), opened the conference by delivering a speech on behalf of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in which he stated: “We have an urgent need to reach a better understanding of the development potential of the wireless Internet, and specify any obstacles related to this, in addition to developing a realistic action plan where stakeholders, governments, the private sector and civil society converge in a dedicated effort based on cooperation and continuity.” He added: “This conference provides a priceless opportunity to be a forum specialized for this subject.”
Abu-Ghazaleh said: “Our meeting today is a concrete step for positive bridge-building across the Digital Divide. We will discuss ways and means of mobilizing support for the objective of attaining the Millennium Development Goals with the use of ICTs.”
Patrick Gilsinger, a high-ranking technology official at Intel delivered the main speech, stating: “We believe that widespread use of Wi-Fi and modernized wireless technologies, in tandem with the adoption of developed communications policies in the realm of markets and unregulated/unlicensed products, will enable developing countries not only to bridge the Digital Divide, but also to propel in leaps forward as well.”
The conference included committee meetings and workshops resulting in a unique set of innovative suggestions to utilize wireless internet technology in order to benefit the developing world. One of the greatest challenges is transferring the potential in this field to the Southern Hemisphere.
At the conclusion of the conference, Sarbuland Khan, Director for the Office for
ECOSOC Support and Coordination of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, stated: “With the availability of wireless internet applications facilitating low-cost communications, today we are hearing a call to critically think about modernizing permanent models that account for market expansion and social responsibility. This in turn will enable us to surpass the technical obstacles and improve the level of living in developing countries.”
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