Five billion people will be connected to the Internet by 2015

The Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP), the organisers of GK3 are optimistic that five billion people will be connected to the Internet by 2015.

Walter Fust the Chair of the GKP Executive Committee expressed this while closing the conference. Fust, who is also the Director-General, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) said the plan, will not only create enormous job opportunities for software and hardware suppliers, but also connect billions of people to the Internet.

"The Internet will make a huge difference in terms of quality, quantity and availability to grow and expand global knowledge. This will bring enormous market opportunities," he said.

He noted that the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) will reduce the transaction costs of doing business.

The conference's theme Emerging People, Emerging Markets Emerging Technologies focused on the challenges to effective socio and economic development and use of ICTs as an enabler to connect those excluded from progress by providing them with access to knowledge through technology.

In support of the conference theme, Fust appealed for support to 'emerging people' who are the drivers of the information and knowledge revolution.

He commended youth for actively taking part in Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D) initiatives.

He hastened to add that dangers of misuse of ICTs as well solve cyber waste.

"Cyber security and cyber crime are the themes that deserve special attention," he concluded.

Conference participants called for the inclusion of ICTs not only in early-age education, but also for life long learning.

They also called for increasing use of low energy consumption made possible by green technologies and availability of low cost devices to contribute to affordable access to information and knowledge.

The conference attracted about 2000 delegates from different sectors, including private companies, governments, international institutions and civil society groups.

The United Arab Emirates has approached the secretariat with intent to host GKP4.