Communications Technology Partnerships Key to Advancing Human Rights, Development, Secretary-General Says in Video Message for World Summit on Information Society

(Delayed for technical reasons.)

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message to the World Summit on the Information Society 2017 Forum, in Geneva on 12 June:

Welcome to this Forum.

Information and communications technology can advance human rights, sustainable development and peace — the three pillars of the United Nations work.  With mobile phones, farmers can monitor prices.  Refugees can let their families know they are safe.  Health workers can respond to emergencies.

That is why the United Nations is working to unleash the power of information and communications technology for our common future.  We want to ensure that big data will bring the big impact that so many people need.

This Forum can forge partnerships among Governments, the private sector, civil society, the technical community and academia.  Together, we can make the most of information and communications technology to realize the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and keep its promise of a life of dignity for all.

Thank you.