Tunisia is proud to host the World Summit on the Information Society in 2005 with the aim of activating the mechanisms of international cooperation to reduce the digital divide because modern communication and information technologies today are among the main tools to promote just, integral and sustainable development.

Considering that mastery and appropriate use of such technologies are based mostly on the availability of the human element and the investment of people’s collective intelligence, these technologies offer the developing countries, in particular, a precious opportunity to take a shortcut to meeting the aspirations of their peoples for progress and stability.

However, success in achieving these legitimate and lofty goals requires creating a balance between mastery of these technologies and their use to meet peoples’ national interests and to preserve their identity within the frame work of interculturality. Thus, the active involvement of civil society and the private sector is highly needed.

Tunisia, thanks to the firm steps it has made towards laying the foundations for the society of learning and intelligence, is entitled to assume an active role to help developing countries keep pace with ongoing technological transformations and enhace their presence within the globalized communication forum. This is one of the most important and noblest aims which will be examined thoroughly in Tunis in 2005.

It is our ardent hope that all phases of the summit will be crowned with success for the good of all mankind.

Zine El Abidine Ben Ali