Programme Director
Ladies and Gentleman
Guests in other countries,
Today the world will be commemorating the World AIDS day through different activities that seek to contribute effectively and positively against the spread of HIV& AIDS. I now greet you under the theme that says “SA is taking responsibility on the path to eliminating HIV & TB epidemic".
Let me welcome you to this side event on ICTs and Adaptation, here at the 2011 United Nations Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC) at or COP17.
I would like to thank the UNFCCC Secretariat for arranging this event and for believing in the potential that Information and Communications Technology (ICTs), information and communication technologies, have to transform our societies into the path of low-carbon sustainable development.
And finally I would like to also thank all the organisations that have supported in the preparation of the program of this ICT day, in particular International Telecommunications Union (ITU), TechAmerica and Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI).
The topic of this side event, ICTs and adaptation, is very important for this country and for this region, as we are already experiencing the effects of climate change.
Adaptation is the essential element of our anticipated outcome here in Durban, as it is a key priority for many developing countries, particularly small islands’ as developing states, least developed countries and Africa.
The current fragmented approach to fragmentation needs to be addressed in a more holistic manner and give equal priority to adaptation.
ICTs are important for our region, mainly because it is probably the infrastructure that is more available. Today, according to ITU statistics, almost 80% of Africans have access to telecommunications, in particular to mobile phones.
This is enabling several innovations in the use of these technologies as a driver of social and economic development. I am proud to say that our region is leading innovation in the use of mobile services to improve access to banking, health or education, just to mention some examples.
This is why I believe that our region should also lead in the use of ICTs for adaptation. Examples of applications could be the use of communications to implement early warning systems, a key aspect to deal with the increase natural disasters related with climate change.
Another example is the use of information systems to help communities and decision maker to take the right decisions to adapt to climate change, in areas such as agriculture or water management.
Let me close by emphasising that there is probably no other technology available today that has so much potential to assist in the fight to climate change. This is why it is such a real pleasure to see ICTs high in the agenda of this conference today.
I am sure the speakers today will provide further examples of this and other applications.
I wish you a very enjoyable afternoon.
Thank you.
