SEOUL, Republic of Korea, 16 June 2006 — The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Microsoft pledging support for the UN’s first information communications technology (ICT) training center for government officials in the Asian and Pacific region, inaugurated today in Incheon, Republic of Korea.

The MOU was signed by the Executive Secretary of UNESCAP, and Microsoft’s Regional Vice President for Asia Pacific today. The event was witnessed by the Minister of Information and Communication of the Republic of Korea and the Mayor of Incheon city.

The Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development (APCICT) is a key initiative in advancing UNESCAP’s mission to meet regional requirements in the field of human resources development in ICT. The APCICT facility – which is the first of its kind in Asia – will be a regional resource for policy-makers, ICT professionals and trainers from developing nations across the region to learn from and share good practices in the area of ICT development, helping in the transition to the knowledge economy.

Under the terms of the MOU, Microsoft has pledged to support the APCICT in a variety of ways including the provision of software and services, and assistance in the development of a technology and training roadmap for the Centre. Microsoft has also undertaken to provide ICT education, certification, and support to APCICT trainers.
In addition, Microsoft has committed to provide a rich array of training materials and related support – including extensive curricula for training on ICT skills development and capacity building, as well as technical support and more advanced training materials in diverse areas -- ranging from e-Government solutions, to online collaboration and communication technologies, interoperability of ICT systems, security and Internet safety, and intellectual property management.

Mr. Kim Hak-Su, Executive Secretary of UNESCAP said, “The Republic of Korea is ideally positioned, both in terms of its geographic location and its global reputation as a knowledge hub and leader in ICT development to be a learning gateway for markets across the region. The APCICT will make an important contribution to bridging the digital divide and UNESCAP is delighted to include the Republic of Korea and Microsoft among its important partners for this initiative.

The UN Millennium Goals stress the importance of making available the benefits of new technologies in cooperation with the private sector. This landmark facility is an excellent example of how effectively the needs of government, business and the community at large can be met through partnership and cooperation.”

Eduardo Rosini, Regional Vice President for Asia Pacific, said, “ICT can be powerful enablers across all sectors of the economy, and we share the core objective of the APCICT to ensure that technology benefits all societies in the region at every level of development. We are well positioned as a company to support the Centre and very pleased to have this opportunity to join with the APCICT to work toward a common vision that enables all countries to realize their potential in the knowledge economy.”

He added that added that “This is an especially exciting project for Microsoft to be involved in because it not only helps to build ICT capacity and share good practices, it also supports the further development of Incheon as a regional ICT gateway. Microsoft has been a committed partner in the Republic of Korea for many years and we welcome this opportunity to increase our contributions within the country while making a positive difference in the Asia Pacific region as a whole in collaboration with UNESCAP.”

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