Today we all recognize that ICT is not a matter of choice; it is a necessity. It has become abundantly clear to us in Africa that ICT is an indispensable tool in the achievement of our development outcomes, as well as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). We have to leapfrog if we are to be part of the global information society, and in the understanding that human society advances according to the level of its accumulated knowledge base. We do not have the luxury of waiting until the necessary conditions are in place. For ICT is an enabler, and we are determined to take advantage of the many benefits that accrue from its applications, and the new opportunities it creates for nations and communities. The issue for us is not whether it is worthwhile for us to make use of ICT, but rather whether ICT can be used appropriately to meet the needs of our people and achieve our development objectives. Our choice should not be between antiretrovirals and ICT for development; or anything like that.The challenge for us, in the developing world, is how best to apply ICT to provide more leverage in our fight against poverty, disease, illiteracy, lack of information and skilled workforce. We in Rwanda have had a fair share of these problems. But we believe that we have in place an ambitious ICT programme that will effectively deal with these problems. ICT has been integrated into our development strategy, as a catalyst for economic growth and social transformation. We now use ICT as an instrument to enhance unity and reconciliation, to strengthen the participatory justice system, and as an instrument of empowering women. We use it also as a basis for the consolidation of our decentralization programme and democratic governance. Rwanda is a founding member of the Development Gateway project, intended to use ICT for development. We plan to provide broadband connectivity to all secondary schools within three years, using optic fibre and wireless technology. These will also serve as tele-centres for the benefit of the rural communities in the catchment areas, with the ultimate aim of providing universal access. Given that we are a landlocked country, modern information and communications technology holds great potential for us. We therefore plan to transform Rwanda into a technological hub within the Great Lakes Region, providing low cost and accessible means to communicate within the region and beyond. Of course, elaborating policies and plans is one thing; mobilizing resources to implement them is another. That is why we would like to appeal to our development partners to join us in ensuring that we realize these objectives. At this juncture, I would like to express our gratitude to a number of international initiatives which have contributed to the great development and growth of ICT for global development,most notably, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa in Rwanda's case. Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to conclude my remarks by reiterating our conviction that ICT is a development tool that will narrow the gap between rich and poor; and that ICT in Africa and the rest of the developing world will be a major contributor to the improvement of human welfare. In Rwanda we are convinced that ICT will enable us to transform our current challenges and adversity into opportunities for this and future generations. I thank you, Chairman. I thank you all. Thank you.
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