MICROSOFT GOVERNMENT LEADERS FORUM - CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA ON 9 - 12 JULY 2006

The Microsoft Government Leaders Forum (GLF) serves the unique and ever-changing needs of government leaders in the 21st century. African leaders convened with Microsoft Chairman, Bill Gates and Former US President, Bill Clinton to discuss technology's role in Africa's competitive future.

During his keynote, Bill Gates highlighted Microsoft's long-term approach to investment in Africa, including collaborations between Microsoft and local and global organisations such as the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). Through these partnerships, together with Microsoft's existing Partners in Learning and Unlimited Potential education programmes, the company hopes to deliver the benefits of ICT training to more than 45 million people in Africa by 2010 and help governments create sustainable economic growth

The Forum brought more than 170 government and business leaders from all cadres to Cape Town, south Africa for a three day meeting aimed at sharing of ideas and best practices amongst nations on technology driven solutions that would help solve some of the pertinent problems facing the continent.

One of the issues that was brought out during the forum was the fact that Governments today face unique and ever-more-difficult challenges, as well as the common need to address those challenges with substantial and robust partnerships between the public and private sectors.

The new strategic collaboration announced during the forum between Microsoft and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) will promote innovative uses of ICT that support entrepreneurship and help promote investment and create business opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Africa. The two organisations will pool expertise and resources to support entrepreneurs and SMEs in developing countries through access to information and business support services and delivering skills training for business and ICT through community-based technology centres (CTCs).

"SMEs are the driving force behind the creation of new and better jobs, as well as the force behind stimulating competitiveness and innovation" said Dr Kandeh Yumkella, director-general of UNIDO. "Through this cooperation with Microsoft, we aim to stimulate the growth and progress of these important business owners in Africa, a key way to help foster a thriving knowledge-based economy that creates wealth and brings down poverty levels."