Addressing the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Telecom World 2009 in Geneva, Switzerland, on 5 October 2009, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed the importance of information and communications technology (ICT) as part of the solution to the threats imposed by climate change.

Secretary-General Ban underscored the advances made at the UN Climate Change Summit on 22 September 2009, in New York, and highlighted the use of technology not only to cut emissions and help countries adapt to the effects of climate change, but also to raise awareness about climate change.
Secretary-General Ban mentioned the specific example of text messages as a tool to aid farmers to be better informed about weather conditions and monitor the impact of climate change. He noted that the UN has partnered with mobile phone companies to install 5,000 weather stations across Africa. He also advocated for better access to technologies to developing countries to enable them to reduce emissions and waste, create jobs, protect against disasters and promote better standards of living while attaining the Millennium Development Goals.
Links to further information
UN News Centre, 5 October 2009
UN press release, 5 October 2009