Date: 01/12/2011
Source: The Department of Communications
Title: SA: Pule: Address by the Deputy Minister of Communications, at the ICT digital media lounge

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".

Welcome to the evening session of the ICT Day here at COP17, in particular to those who are joining us this evening from around the globe via remote participation.
I offer you a warm welcome to South Africa and I hope you are enjoying your stay.
I would like to thank the United Nations Framework Convention of Climate Change (UNFCC) Secretariat for arranging this event and thank you also to the members of the coalition on ICTs and climate change, in particular International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Global e-Sustainability Initiave (GeSI) and TechAmerica Europe for making this possible and for providing support in defining today’s programme of activities.
This is a very special and unique day in this conference. First of all, because it is going to focus in real solutions, technological applications, that can drive the transition to a low carbon economy.
But in addition, this day, in particular this Digital Media Lounge, is a real application by itself, as it provides a real example of the use of ICTs to open up the discussions, make this conference more global and to reduce our carbon footprint. I thank the technology companies that have made this possible today.
During this ICT day we will have speakers from country delegations, representatives from the ICT industry, international organizations, as well as from the academia. This will bring a very rich perspective to the discussions.
For all these reasons let me tell you that it is a real pleasure to open up the conversation today. I am really eager to see the outcome of this day.
Without further delay I give the floor to Mr Malcolm Johnson, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, who is joining us today from Geneva.
I wish you a very enjoyable ICT day.

Thank you