INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES CAN PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN REALIZING MDGS, DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF UNOG SAYS

Sergei Ordzhonikidze, the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, today took part in the “Diplomacy Goes Virtual” event, which marked the inauguration of “Diplomacy Island” in “Second Life”, a computer-based simulated 3-dimensional environment available on the Internet.

In his opening remarks, the Director-General welcomed the opportunity to focus attention on the important role that information and communication technologies (ICTs) could play in realizing the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. Through the participation of citizens themselves, ICTs could help generate income by linking producers and markets, creating employment opportunities and raising educational standards, he said.

The Director-General highlighted how the United Nations was working with all stakeholders – Governments, other international organizations, civil society and the private sector – to help harness this potential of ICTs for all.

Mr. Ordzhonikidze acknowledged that for many people new technologies held both perils and promise. But, he added, “creative use of the Internet and the opportunities that it presents will show that the promise outweighs the perils”. In conclusion, the Director-General commended Switzerland’s efforts in promoting the use of ICTs for development and diplomacy, which demonstrated a strong commitment to multilateral diplomacy and multi-stakeholder collaboration.

“Diplomacy Island” in “Second Life” has been created by the DiploFoundation, an independent foundation established by the Governments of Malta and Switzerland with the aim of assisting small and developing countries in their participation in international relations. “Diplomacy Island” in “Second Life” is intended to provide an additional avenue for diplomatic representation and negotiation.

For use of the information media; not an official record

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