UNOG Library Talk: “Connecting the world: Art and the information society”

Dr. Touré
Ambassador Gallegos Chiriboga
Ambassador Fasel
Mr. Diankonoff [artist]
Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen:

I would like to welcome you to this UNOG Library Talk on ‘Connecting the world: Art and the information society’, an initiative of the International Telecommunication Union, ITU, together with Diva International Magazine. I am pleased that once again, Geneva and the Palais des Nations can serve as a platform for these interesting and insightful discussions.

The potential of information and communication technologies, or ICTs, for development is undisputed.

By delivering essential services such as health, education and good governance, as well as facilitating the spread of critical information in the areas of climate change and disaster risk reduction, ICTs have helped us to make real progress in achieving our sustainable development goals.

We continue to see the essential role that ICTs can play in the empowerment of women and young people - one of the main priorities of the UN Secretary-General – and one that is realized across the work of the entire UN family. Women’s use of and involvement in ICTs is particularly important, and I applaud Dr. Touré and ITU for their initiatives in this regard.

We have witnessed dynamic growth in ICT use in developing countries. China has one billion mobile phone subscriptions, and India is expected to hit the one billion mark this year. According to the World Bank, 16% of people in the developing world use mobile phones to pay bills, as opposed to 3% in the rest of the world.

Going forward, we need to put in place a strong framework for continued development after the 2015-deadline for the Millennium Development Goals. And in doing so, it is essential that appropriate and comprehensive use of ICTs is at the top of the agenda. Further, we must address the challenges that remain. Access is critical. We must ensure that the potential of ICTs benefits all groups and communities. Equality in access has to be a priority –regardless of gender, age, background and circumstance.

Another challenge is cybersecurity – a true concern for the international community at every level. Governments, international organizations, the private sector, civil society, individuals – no one is immune from this threat. In 2011 alone, more than 232.4 million identities were exposed, 403 million new variants of malware were created, and malicious attacks increased by 81% compared to the year 2010.

However, despite these and other challenges, I firmly believe that ICTs have an enormous potential. As Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said, “The applications for development are limited only by our imaginations”.
But is not for development alone that ICTs have an important role. They encourage artistic development, creativity and cross-cultural communication. I read recently about a Facebook page where Israelis and Arabs share ideas on peace, but also on music, sports and other common interests. The site had 91,000 views in its first month of operation. Following this discussion, we will journey to our exhibition gallery where we will see first-hand concrete examples of the creativity and imagination which technology has inspired. At the same time, valid questions may be raised as to whether all of the progress that has been made brings unintended consequences for cultural and artistic diversity, as well as for intellectual property.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am optimistic about the role of ICTs in our world and in our common future. I hope that all of us in the international community will continue to encourage the respect for freedom of expression, education and cultural and artistic diversity in this ‘information society’ in which we all now live.
I look forward to hearing the views of the other panelists, and trust that we will have a very fruitful discussion.

Thank you.