SECOND GLOBAL MEETING OF NATIONAL Y2K COORDINATORS TO BE HELD AT UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS ON 22 JUNE
Press Release
SECOND GLOBAL MEETING OF NATIONAL Y2K COORDINATORS TO BE HELD AT UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS ON 22 JUNE
19990618A review of international preparedness for dealing with the year 2000 (Y2K) computer bug and with plans for international coordination will take place at United Nations Headquarters on Tuesday, 22 June.
At the session, a record number of national Y2K coordinators from more than 170 countries will discuss preparations for the date changeover that will occur in slightly more than six months, and will meet with leading experts and officials from international agencies.
The event is organized by the United Nations Working Group on Informatics, in collaboration with the International Y2K Cooperation Center. The Center was established in the follow-up to the first global meeting of Y2K coordinators, which took place in December 1998.
A preliminary press conference will be held on Monday, 21 June, at 8:30 a.m. in the Newseum at 580 Madison Avenue (between 56th and 57th Streets). Y2K programme leaders from Venezuela, Mexico, Australia, China, East Asia and the Pacific, Central Europe and Asia and from sub-Saharan Africa will respond to questions from the media.
At a second press conference, on 22 June at 2:30 p.m. in Room S-226 of United Nations Headquarters, Ambassador Ahmad Kamal (Pakistan), Chairman of the Working Group on Informatics, will give a briefing on the morning discussion on Y2K preparedness. Part of that morning session will be closed to the public and the media, to ensure a frank exchange of views between Y2K coordinators. All other portions of the day's events (see schedule below) are open to the media.
All proceedings on 22 June, except for the press briefing, will take place in the Trusteeship Council Chamber. Journalists wishing to observe the meeting should enter the Trusteeship Council gallery via the third floor entrance. They will be able to utilize United Nations translation services.
- 2 - Note No. 5565 18 June 1999
Schedule of Events
10 a.m. Welcome by Ambassador Kamal of Pakistan
10:10 a.m. Statement of objectives by Bruce McConnell, Director of the International Y2K Cooperation Center, and by Carlos Braga, Director of InfoDev at the World Bank.
10:15 a.m. Report on United Nations Y2K preparedness by Under-Secretary-General Joseph Connor
10:30 a.m. Reports on regional and national preparedness (closed)
1 p.m. Meeting breaks for lunch
2:30 p.m. Press briefing in Room S-226
3 p.m. Plenary Sessions
Session I, on "Public information and public confidence": Panellists: David Bohrman, Executive Vice-President, CNN; Eric Auchard, Technology Reporter, Reuters; Roger Ferguson, Governor, United States Federal Reserve Board; Hiroharu Koike, Japan Y2K coordinator; David Henry, New Zealand Y2K coordinator.
Session II, on "Disaster preparedness and event management": Panellists: James Lee Witt, United States Federal Emergency Management Association; Don Pallandino, Executive Vice-President, Save the Children; David Spinks, Business Manager, AEA Technologies; Amable Aguiluz, Philippines Y2K coordinator; representative of the United Nations Emergency Response Coordinator.
5:30 p.m. Summation of the meeting by Ambassador Kamal Closing remarks by Deputy Secretary-General Louise Fréchette
Journalists without United Nations credentials who wish to attend the 22 June meeting should fax a letter of assignment to (212) 963-4642, and follow-up with a call to the United Nations Media Accreditation Unit at (212) 963-7164.
To obtain television feed, contact Terence Smith at (212) 963-7455.
Event documentation will be posted on the United Nations Web Site at
For more information, contact Tim Wall at the Development and Human Rights Section, Department of Public Information (DPI), tel. (212) 963-5851, e-mail: wallt@un.org.
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