5 October 2009: Addressing the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Telecom World 2009, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed the importance of information and communication technologies (ICTs) as part of the solution to the threats imposed by climate change.

At the Forum, which took place from 5-9 October 2009, in Geneva, Switzerland, Secretary-General Ban highlighted the use of ICTs not only to cut emissions and help countries adapt to the effects of climate change, but also to raise awareness of climate change.
Secretary-General Ban highlighted specific examples of the use of ICTs, such as the use of mobile phone technology as a tool to help farmers be better informed about weather conditions. He said this project involves a partnership between the UN, mobile phone companies and other partners, through which 5,000 new weather stations were installed across Africa to monitor the impact of climate change and text messages are sent to farmers’ mobile phones to provide them with relevant information. He also advocated better access to technologies by 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. [UN Press Release][Secretary-General’s Speech]