Coalition of International Associations Sets Out Priorities for Addressing Y2K.

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 16, 1998--The world's leading international organizations and trade associations today called on governments and industry around the world to step up dialogue and action on the Year 2000 conversion challenge.

In a statement issued here as part of a Global Year 2000 Summit, the conference organizers acknowledged that although international awareness of the Year 2000 challenge is growing, the problem continues to be underestimated and the threat to world economies very serious.

The statement called on both industry and governments to more aggressively tackle the "Millennium Bug," pointing to the interdependencies inherent in a global economy, stressing that national preparedness is not enough, and calling for a more sustained international dialogue on the issue. Specifically, the Summit organizers called for:

-- Global Coordination: Many international groups and industry sectors are working to address the Year 2000 challenge. However, today's Global Year 2000 Summit represents the most comprehensive initiative to date to bring together government leaders from developed and developing countries, representatives of key sectors, and international organizations to address the Year 2000. Groups must move swiftly to leverage existing knowledge and organizational strength. Cooperative approaches, information sharing and a common base of understanding are needed to help nations move to concerted action.

-- Global Leadership: The key ingredient to a successful Y2K plan of attack, noted Summit participants, was high level leadership such as that provided by the U.K.'s Prime Minister Tony Blair, who has urged more global attention to Y2K and provided the World Bank with funding to provide Y2K outreach to developing countries. Leadership from both the public and private sector are a critical element to helping push progress on the Y2K front.

-- Assistance for Developing Countries: While a few developing countries have aggressively addressed Y2K, most are just now waking up to the problem. While many nations may feel themselves protected by having relatively fewer computers, they overlook the dangers this situation poses to other critical segments of a national infrastructure, from the equipment which operates telephones to airports to hospitals and beyond.

The infoDev program at the World Bank is holding regional seminars to help educate developing countries on the Year 2000 issue and has developed a Y2K tool kit to help move developing countries up the learning curve. Strong participation in the infoDev and other such efforts to support developing countries' efforts to address the Year 2000 challenge were encouraged by summit organizers.

-- Global Public Awareness and Action Campaign: The group unveiled a broad cross-sectoral Global 2000 Action Committee that will work to raise public awareness on a global scale. There is a need for a targeted, global public awareness campaign on Y2K and to focus efforts to spur action. A global Year 2000 awareness campaign would work to provide policy-makers with a higher level of understanding of the issue while at the same time working to encourage action, minimize disruptions and prevent unnecessary panic by educating the public. An awareness campaign would provide a platform for greater government leadership and would help avoid duplication of efforts and foster international cooperation.

-- Cross-Sectoral Dialogue: The conference highlighted efforts by many sectors, particularly financial services and telecommunications, to address Y2K on a cross border basis. However, many at the Global Summit felt that not enough coordination and information sharing is occurring between sectors. Industry-to-industry interfaces must be identified, assessed and, if necessary, corrected to eliminate any "ripple effects" this situation may otherwise trigger.

-- Focus on International Contingency Planning: There is also a need for a more focused international discussion on how to handle any disruptions that may occur as the result of the millennium conversion. The organizers of the Summit pledged to organize a group that involved several sectors to focus on international contingency planning. While many individual corporations and governments are making contingency plans, these must be expanded to include the cross border effects of any Y2K failures. Of particular concern are safety issues, including any disruptions or problems with weapons systems, nuclear energy facilities, utilities and other critical infrastructure sectors.

-- Outreach to Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs): While many large, multinational companies have been focusing on Y2K for several years, SMEs are just now beginning to address it. The cost of Y2K solutions is increasing with demand, and there is a fear that many SMEs may not be able to afford Y2K solutions. Some governments are offering tax incentives and low interest loans to support SME remediation efforts.

About the Global Year 2000 Summit

The Global Year 2000 Summit itself featured several high level speakers from a cross-section of industries and countries. The Summit began with a dinner address by the Rt. Hon. Margaret Beckett, the U.K.'s Leader of the House of Commons and Leader of the Privy Council and an outspoken advocate for more action on Y2K on a global basis.

The summit was convened by a coalition of international organizations and trade associations including: the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Telecommunications Working Group, the Computing Software and Services Association (CSSA), Global 2000 Co-ordinating Group, infoDev/World Bank, Information Technology Association of America (ITAA), International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), International Telecommunications Users Group (INTUG), Joint Year 2000 Council, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC), and the World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA).

The Global Year 2000 Summit was made possible by the following sponsors: EDS, Federal Sources, IBM, ITAA*2000, Micro Focus, Andersen, BankBoston, CACI, Compaq, GTE, Squire, Sanders and Dempsey, and Global 2000 Co-ordinating Group on behalf of UBS, AG.

Video clips, audio files and other information on the Summit and its organizers and sponsors will be made available on the World Wide Web at http://www.itaa.org.