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<div class=Section1>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Dear all, <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>This is a brief up date
of the preparations to the next meetings of the GAID Strategy Council meeting
and its Annual Forum to take place on 18-20 May <st1:metricconverter
ProductID="2008 in" w:st="on">2008 in</st1:metricconverter> <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
 w:st="on">Kuala Lumpur</st1:City></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>As you noticed, the 6 substantive
sessions of the annual Forum, taking place in conjunction with the WCIT 2008,
will focus on the two themes of <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Access and
Connectivity</span></b> and <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Innovative
Funding for ICT4D </span></b>(the tentative sub-themes of the substantive
panels are indicated in the attached preliminary program). Two experts groups
started to work on line on those two issues; draft outlines and concept papers
will be circulated shortly &#8211; it would be possible to provide comments at
that stage. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>It is expected that the <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>Access and connectivity cluster</span></b> would feed
into the ITU Summit on Connect Asia, while the <b><span style='font-weight:
bold'>ICT4D Funding</span></b> cluster would feed into the Follow up Conference
on Financing for Development (<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Doha</st1:City></st1:place>,
29 November - 2 December 2008). <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Other issues:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:53.25pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:
l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><span
style='mso-list:Ignore'>-<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><span dir=LTR><font size=2
color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
Arial;color:navy'>In the follow up to the GAID Forum on Youth and ICTs
(September 2007, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Geneva</st1:City></st1:place>),
note that a Committee of e-Leaders for ICT and Youth might be established
within GAID. More information coming soon, but some of the listserv members
might be interested by this initiative. <o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:53.25pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:
l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><span
style='mso-list:Ignore'>-<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><span dir=LTR><font size=2
color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
Arial;color:navy'>The renewed list of GAID structure membership is going to be
circulated in a few days. The new membership has been proposed after extensive
consultations to the UN SG and is now on his table for approval.<o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Best, <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Ph<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<div>

<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>

<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1>

</span></font></div>

<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>De&nbsp;:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> plenary-bounces@wsis-cs.org
[mailto:plenary-bounces@wsis-cs.org] <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>De la
part de</span></b> CONGO WSIS - <st1:PersonName ProductID="Philippe Dam" w:st="on">Philippe
 Dam</st1:PersonName><br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Envoyé&nbsp;:</span></b> mercredi, 20.
février 2008 17:27<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>À&nbsp;:</span></b> <st1:PersonName w:st="on">plenary@wsis-cs.org</st1:PersonName>;
<st1:PersonName w:st="on">governance@lists.cpsr.org</st1:PersonName>; <st1:PersonName
w:st="on">gov@wsis-gov.org</st1:PersonName><br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Cc&nbsp;:</span></b> 'CONGO - Philippe Dam'<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Objet&nbsp;:</span></b> [WSIS CS-Plenary] TR:
[gaid-discuss] Please save the date:UNDESA-GAID, Annual Meeting, Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia,18 - 20 May 2008</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>

</div>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Dear all, <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Find below a recent
message from the GAID Secretariat regarding the preparations of the next GAID
Global Forum on Access and Connectivity; and innovative Funding Mechanism, to
be organised in conjunction with the next meetings of the GAID Strategy Council
and Steering Committee (18-20 May 2008). This will also be held in conjunction
with the 2008 World Congress on Information Technology.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Preparations are under
way on the basis of the outcomes of the September 2007 Steering Committee
meeting (summary available <a href="http://www.un-gaid.org/fr/node/1005">here</a>).<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Note that the designation
by the UN Secretary General of the new membership of the GAID Strategy Council
and Steering Committee will be announced shortly and that this new membership
after rotation will take office in April 2008.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Bets regards, <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<div>

<p class=MsoNormal><st1:PersonName ProductID="Philippe Dam" w:st="on"><b><font
 size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;
 font-family:Arial;color:navy;font-weight:bold'>Philippe Dam</span></font></b></st1:PersonName><b><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;color:navy;font-weight:bold'><br>
<U5:PLACE u6:st="on"><u1:COUNTRY-REGION u2:st="on"><u3:COUNTRY-REGION u6:st="on"><u4:PLACE u5:st="on"><u1:PLACE u2:st="on"><u7:COUNTRY-REGION u9:st="on"><u8:COUNTRY-REGION u11:endInsDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z" u11:endInsAuthor="Inter" u11:insDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z" u11:insAuthor="Inter"><u4:COUNTRY-REGION u5:st="on"><u7:PLACE u9:st="on"><u10:COUNTRY-REGION u13:insAuthor="Inter" u13:insDate="2005-06-07T16:35:00Z" u13:endInsAuthor="Inter" u13:endInsDate="2005-06-07T16:35:00Z"><u10:PLACE u13:insAuthor="Inter" u13:insDate="2005-06-07T16:35:00Z" u13:endInsAuthor="Inter" u13:endInsDate="2005-06-07T16:35:00Z"><u8:PLACE u11:endInsDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z" u11:endInsAuthor="Inter" u11:insDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z" u11:insAuthor="Inter"><u12:country-region u14:st="on"><u12:place u14:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">CONGO</u12:place></u12:country-region></u12:place></u12:country-region></u8:PLACE></u10:PLACE></u10:COUNTRY-REGION></u7:PLACE></u4:COUNTRY-REGION></u8:COUNTRY-REGION></u7:COUNTRY-REGION></u4:PLACE></u1:PLACE></u3:COUNTRY-REGION></u1:COUNTRY-REGION></st1:place></st1:country-region>
- Information Society &amp;<br>
Human Rights Coordinator<br>
<u15:COUNTRY-REGION u7:endInsDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z" u7:endInsAuthor="Inter" u7:insDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z" u7:insAuthor="Inter"><u16:PLACE u6:st="on"><u16:COUNTRY-REGION u6:st="on"><u15:PLACE u7:endInsDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z" u7:endInsAuthor="Inter" u7:insDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z" u7:insAuthor="Inter"></u15:PLACE></u16:COUNTRY-REGION></u16:PLACE></u15:COUNTRY-REGION>11,
Avenue de <U14:PERSONNAME ProductID="la Paix" u6:st="on"><u15:PERSONNAME u7:endInsDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z" u7:endInsAuthor="Inter" u7:insDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z" u7:insAuthor="Inter" ns1:ProductID="la Paix"><u1:PERSONNAME ProductID="la Paix" u16:st="on">la
Paix</u15:PERSONNAME></U14:PERSONNAME><br>
CH-1202 <U14:PLACE u6:st="on"><U14:CITY u6:st="on"><u15:CITY u7:endInsDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z" u7:endInsAuthor="Inter" u7:insDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z" u7:insAuthor="Inter"><u15:PLACE u7:endInsDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z" u7:endInsAuthor="Inter" u7:insDate="2006-04-04T12:16:00Z" u7:insAuthor="Inter"><U3:PLACE u4:st="on"><U3:CITY u4:st="on"><u1:CITY u17:st="on"><u1:PLACE u17:st="on"><u1:CITY u2:st="on"><u1:PLACE u2:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Geneva</u1:PLACE></U3:CITY></u15:PLACE></u15:CITY></U3:CITY></u1:PLACE></U3:PLACE></U14:CITY></U14:CITY></U14:PLACE></st1:City></st1:place><br>
Tel: +41 22 301 1000<br>
Fax: +41 22 301 2000<br>
E-mail: </span></font></b><font color=navy><span style='color:navy'><a
href="mailto:wphilippe.dam@ngocongo.org"
title="mailto:wphilippe.dam@ngocongo.org&#10;mailto:wsis@ngocongo.org&#13;&#10;mailto:hhumanrights@hyprolink.ch"><b><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial
title="mailto:wphilippe.dam@ngocongo.org&#10;mailto:wsis@ngocongo.org&#13;&#10;mailto:hhumanrights@hyprolink.ch"><span
title="mailto:wphilippe.dam@ngocongo.org&#10;mailto:wsis@ngocongo.org&#13;&#10;mailto:hhumanrights@hyprolink.ch"><span
title="mailto:wphilippe.dam@ngocongo.org&#10;mailto:wsis@ngocongo.org"><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;font-weight:
bold'><span title="mailto:wphilippe.dam@ngocongo.org">philippe.dam@ngocongo.org</span></span></span></font></span></b></a></span></font><b><font
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font-family:Arial;color:navy;font-weight:bold'><br>
Website: <a href="blocked::http://www.ngocongo.org"
title="blocked::http://www.ngocongo.org&#10;BLOCKED::http://www.ngocongo.org&#13;&#10;http://www.ngocongo.org"><font
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title="blocked::http://www.ngocongo.org"><span style='color:navy'><span
title="blocked::http://www.ngocongo.org">www.ngocongo.org</span></span></span></font></span></a>&nbsp;</span></font></b><span
lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p>

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<div></u1:PERSONNAME></U5:PLACE>

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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>De&nbsp;:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
discuss-bounces@un-gaid.org [mailto:discuss-bounces@un-gaid.org] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>De la part de</span></b> Sarbuland Khan<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Envoyi&nbsp;:</span></b> jeudi, 14. fivrier
2008 22:37<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>@&nbsp;:</span></b> discuss@un-gaid.org<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Objet&nbsp;:</span></b> [gaid-discuss] Please
save the date: UNDESA-GAID, Annual Meeting, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 18 ? </span></font><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>20
May 2008</span></font><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p>

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style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:12.0pt'><br>
Dear Colleageues, <br>
<br>
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The<b><span style='font-weight:bold'> Global
Alliance for ICT and Development </span></b>of the United Nations Department of
Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA-GAID) is a global multi-stakeholder
partnership programme, with the objective to mobilize the human, financial and
technical resources required to bridge major gaps in information and
communication technology (ICT), infrastructure, services and applications
across the world. <br>
<br>
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The UNDESA-GAID Annual Meeting, to be held in <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Kuala Lumpur</st1:City>, <st1:country-region
 w:st="on">Malaysia</st1:country-region></st1:place>, from 18 &#8211; 20 May,
2008, aims to bring together partners to help implement a number of ICT
projects of significant, catalyzing impact on the development of ICT,
infrastructure, services and applications. This year&#8217;s Annual Meeting
will also focus on issues of access and connectivity, particularly for the Asian
and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Island</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType
 w:st="on">States</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>, as well as the innovative
funding mechanism for the implementation of ICT, infrastructure, services and
applications. <br>
<br>
<b><i><u><span style='font-weight:bold;font-style:italic'>Global Forum on
Access and Connectivity; and innovative Funding Mechanism</span></u></i></b> <br>
<br>
The UNDESA-GAID Annual Meeting will bring together the International
Telecommunication Union, the World Bank and GAID, in partnership with the
Islamic Development Bank, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for
<st1:place w:st="on">Asia</st1:place> and the Pacific (ESCAP) and experts from
civil societies, academia and other regional and international organizations. <br>
&nbsp; <br>
This collaborative effort seeks to involve various stakeholders active in the
region, with the aim of supporting affordable connectivity, applications and
services to stimulate economic growth, employment and development throughout
the region. By having this meeting, partners will build on the progress of
countries, which have established an attractive ICT policy and regulatory
environment to accommodate the private sector investment required for sustainable
network build-out, capacity roll-out and business innovations. These projects
will, in turn, trigger a cycle of further investment and development. <br>
<br>
The Global Forum on Access and Connectivity; and Innovative Funding Mechanism
will have a practical, results-oriented format, including interactive,
multi-stakeholder panel discussions, partnership announcements, as well as
opportunities for participants to showcase their ICT development projects to
potential partners and donors. The Forum will also provide an excellent
networking platform for leaders from the public, private and financial sectors
to meet and forge new partnerships for the future. <br>
<br>
Participants at the Forum will examine key success factors for ICT investment
and development and identify areas for collaboration to: <br>
</span></font><font face=Symbol><span style='font-family:Symbol'>7 </span></font><span
lang=EN-GB>&nbsp;</span><font face=Symbol><span style='font-family:Symbol'> </span></font><span
lang=EN-GB>&nbsp;</span><font face=Symbol><span style='font-family:Symbol'> </span></font><span
lang=EN-GB>&nbsp;</span><font face=Symbol><span style='font-family:Symbol'> </span></font><span
lang=EN-GB>&nbsp;expand broadband backbone infrastructure and access networks,
using innovative business and financing models, such as infrastructure-sharing
and demand aggregation among local and regional institutions. This new
infrastructure investment includes national and regional interconnectivity
initiatives, such as Internet exchange points and rural connectivity projects; <br>
</span><font face=Symbol><span style='font-family:Symbol'>7 </span></font><span
lang=EN-GB>&nbsp;</span><font face=Symbol><span style='font-family:Symbol'> </span></font><span
lang=EN-GB>&nbsp;</span><font face=Symbol><span style='font-family:Symbol'> </span></font><span
lang=EN-GB>&nbsp;</span><font face=Symbol><span style='font-family:Symbol'> </span></font><span
lang=EN-GB>&nbsp;enhance workforce training to support employment and growth in
the ICT sector and the overall economy; <br>
</span><font face=Symbol><span style='font-family:Symbol'>7 </span></font><span
lang=EN-GB>&nbsp;</span><font face=Symbol><span style='font-family:Symbol'> </span></font><span
lang=EN-GB>&nbsp;</span><font face=Symbol><span style='font-family:Symbol'> </span></font><span
lang=EN-GB>&nbsp;</span><font face=Symbol><span style='font-family:Symbol'> </span></font><span
lang=EN-GB>&nbsp;stimulate the development of locally-relevant ICT content,
applications and services; &nbsp;and <br>
</span><font face=Symbol><span style='font-family:Symbol'>7 </span></font><span
lang=EN-GB>&nbsp;</span><font face=Symbol><span style='font-family:Symbol'> </span></font><span
lang=EN-GB>&nbsp;</span><font face=Symbol><span style='font-family:Symbol'> </span></font><span
lang=EN-GB>&nbsp;</span><font face=Symbol><span style='font-family:Symbol'> </span></font><span
lang=EN-GB>&nbsp;broaden efforts to develop an enabling policy and regulatory
environment for investment, including harmonization across regions and
sub-regions. <br>
<br>
<b><i><u><span style='font-weight:bold;font-style:italic'>New and refurbished
PCs </span></u></i></b><br>
<br>
There will also be a meeting in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Kuala
  Lumpur</st1:City></st1:place>, which will address the initiative being
developed under the GAID umbrella of providing 500,000 new and refurbished
computers for 10,000 schools, catering for 35 million students by the year
2012. At the recent International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Las Vegas</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">Nevada</st1:State></st1:place>,
GAID and CES jointly organized the Technology and Emerging Countries
Brainstorming dialogue. We noted that there was tremendous goodwill and
willingness to collaborate from all parties present. The supplying parties
agreed and were willing to work with the United Nations, through GAID, in a
coordinated fashion, to scale up the supply of new and refurbished computers
and ensure that the targets are reached. The demand side representatives
responded and reiterated their willingness and desire to accept the computers.
They agreed to work out the details and to put in place a structure and
framework that is consistent in the receiving end at their respective countries.
<br>
<br>
A concept note is currently being prepared and will be presented to the
Strategy Council and Steering Committee of the GAID in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
 w:st="on">Kuala Lumpur</st1:City></st1:place>. It is expected that a pilot
project with a committed multi-stakeholder approach will be developed and be
rolled out in the four pilot countries before the end of 2008. <br>
<br>
<b><i><u><span style='font-weight:bold;font-style:italic'>Private-Public
Partnership</span></u></i></b> <br>
<br>
Recognizing the significance of the private-public partnership in the areas of
ICT, we are pleased to inform you that <st1:country-region w:st="on">Malaysia</st1:country-region>,
representing the Asian continent, will also host the 2008 World Congress on
Information Technology (WCIT) during that period in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
 w:st="on">Kuala Lumpur</st1:City></st1:place>. These two meetings, the United
Nations Annual GAID Meeting and the WCIT Meeting will bring the possibility of
Member States interacting with more than 70 information technology (IT)
industry associations that represent over 90 PER CENT Of the world's IT market,
together with civil societies, academia and other experts that will provide the
crucial cross-cutting and partnership link between ICT, business, policy and
society, and discussing and influencing global challenges, such as healthcare,
education, digital divide, privacy and security. <br>
<br>
The Kuala Lumpur meeting will hear from some of today&#8217;s greatest minds on
how ICT can be used to enable businesses by enhancing competitiveness, enrich
economies by enhancing capacity to create and adopt new technologies, and
particularly, to empower societies via access to information and knowledge
acquisition. <br>
<br>
At the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Kuala Lumpur</st1:City></st1:place>
meeting, we are inviting all Flagship Partnership Initiatives (FPIs) and
Communities Of Expertise (COEs) to showcase and share their activities, plans
and best practices with all other FPIs, COEs, High-level Panel of Advisors,
Champions Network, Regional Networks, the Strategy Council and the Steering
Committee members. You are invited to bring your literatures, brochures and
other relevant materials to be distributed during the meetings. The High-level
Panel of Advisors and the Regional Networks are also invited to undertake
preparatory online discussions and bring their respective and regional
perspectives to the discussions in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Kuala
  Lumpur</st1:City></st1:place>. <br>
<br>
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Please find attached the tentative programme
for the Annual GAID Meeting in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Kuala
  Lumpur</st1:City></st1:place>. We look forward to your personal commitment
and active participation at the meetings. Kindly refer to our website, </span><font
size=1 color=blue><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:7.5pt;color:blue'>http://www.un-gaid.org</span></font><span
lang=EN-GB>, for more information pertaining to the meetings. <br>
<br>
<br>
</span>With my best regards, <br>
<br>
Sincerely, <o:p></o:p></p>

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