Home breadcru News breadcru Association/Org breadcru Global Alliance for Information & Communication Technologies launched

Global Alliance for Information & Communication Technologies launched

20 Jun '06
3 min read

United Nations Deputy Secretary-General and Malaysia's Prime Minister launched the Global Alliance for Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and Development at a meeting in Kuala Lumpur.

"The Alliance provides the platform and network of international experiences in which partnerships can be based,” said Deputy Secretary-General Mark Malloch Brown. Pointing out that technology never developed in a vacuum, he said it should be part of a strategy involving people and institutions, and should be accompanied by investment, human capital, infrastructure and national plans.

“Smart public polices” harnessing the power of public-private partnerships should give incentives to the private sector, Mr. Malloch Brown said, adding that “technology is not just a privilege for the rich, but a tool for the poor” which should be applied to work towards the internationally agreed development goals.

“We are all gathered here today for a common cause,” said Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, “motivated by a vision of a truly united global community brought together through the power of ICT. A vision where every nation, every society and every individual is a participant in development that is people-centered, people-oriented and people-driven.”

At the same time, he cautioned that “there are still too many nations too poor to take advantage of these new tools of development and extricate themselves from their present lack of progress into better circumstances for their people.”

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