Microsoft Talk

of Microsoft’s Second Annual ICT for Development Conference: Microsoft kicks off a week of activities focused on the developing world with a conference in Washington, D.C.

It’s easy to forget that the vast majority of the world’s population — some five billion people — still lack access to even basic information and communication technology (ICT). Many of those who are underserved by technology live in countries that can’t yet provide all their citizens with the basic necessities of food, clean water, sanitation and health care. Experts agree that technology can be an essential component in addressing these issues and raising a country’s population out of poverty by creating sustainable economic growth and development.

Microsoft, though its Unlimited Potential effort, is committed to using its technology and resources to help address the world’s social, economic and health problems. On Sept. 22 and 23 in Washington, D.C., the company is hosting its second annual ICT for Development Conference, a gathering of leaders from government development agencies, inter-governmental organizations (IGOs), the private sector and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). The focus this year is on the importance of public-private partnerships in addressing development issues.

The ICT for Development conference is just one of the ways Microsoft is focusing on global development this week:

• On Sept. 23-26, the 2008 Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Annual Meeting will be held in New York City. Microsoft is a co-sponsor of this gathering of current and former heads of state, CEOs, philanthropists and NGO leaders. This meeting has been held annually since 2005 and this year’s agenda addresses critical global challenges, like the food and energy crises, climate change, global health and poverty alleviation.

• On Sept. 25, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates, in his capacity as co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, will address a special session of the United Nations (UN) on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), a set of ambitious international development goals that UN member states, international organizations, and Microsoft and other private companies have committed to trying to achieve by the year 2015.

Cheick Diarra, Microsoft’s chairman for Africa, will attend both the ICT for Development conference and the UN MDG conference, where he will address how ICT investment can help boost economic and social development in African countries, stimulate growth and increase innovation.