Creating an Equitable Information Society

Message by the UN Secretary-General

World Telecommunication Day
17 May 2005
Message by Mr Kofi A. ANNAN
Secretary-General
United Nations

We live in an age in which communication between people is essential to achieving our shared goals of development and peaceful coexistence. New innovations in information and communication technologies have increased exponentially our capacity to connect with each other. It is up to us to use to harness the potential of these technologies in our work to extend the benefits of education, health care, trade and environmental protection to all.

The theme of this year’s World Telecommunication Day, 'Creating an Equitable Information Society: Time for Action', calls on us to give shape to the vision adopted at the first phase of the World Summit on the Information Society in 2003. I urge Member States and all other stakeholders to reaffirm their commitment to that process, and to participate at the highest levels when the Summit reconvenes in Tunis in November of this year.

Efforts to build an equitable and accessible information society depend on the strength of partnerships between Governments, civil society and businesses, underpinned by the support of international organizations such as the United Nations. On this World Telecommunication Day, which marks the 140th anniversary of the founding of the International Telecommunication Union, let us pledge to bridge technological differences and promote interconnectivity for all. Together, we can create a truly global information society that will benefit all the world’s people.

Kofi A. Annan
Secretary-General
United Nations