By Emeka aAginam
Ahead of the opening of the UN Millennium Development Goal review summit in New York, leading  lights from government, industry, civil society and UN agencies respectively  will present their vision for accelerating deployment of broadband networks worldwide to UN Secretary-General, Mr Ban Ki-Moon.

The final outcome report of the Broadband Commission for Digital Development  includes a High-Level Declaration and series of Recommendations designed to serve as a global blueprint for rapid broadband development in countries worldwide. The Commission believes broadband needs to be viewed as basic national infrastructure, and can play a vital role in re-energizing the MDGs, now just five years away.

The Commission comprises 58 leaders from across public and private sector. It is co_chaired by President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Mr Carlos Slim Helú, Honorary Lifetime Chairman of Grupo Carso, with ITU Secretary-General, Dr Hamadoun Touré and UNESCO Director-General, Ms Irina Bokova, serving as joint vice chairs.