Statement
by
Mr. Natavoot Chitasombat,
Vice Minister for Information and Communication Technology
at the Opening Ceremony of the
"The 2nd International Conference on Disaster Preparedness for Persons with Disabilities"
Tuesday, 12 May 2009
Millennium Resort Patong, Phuket, Thailand

Deputy-Governor of Phuket,
Senator Monthian Buntan
President and key representatives of DAISY Consortium,
Organizing Committee Members,
Distinguished Resource Persons,
Distinguished Participants,
Ladies and Gentleman

　It is a great honor to be here with all of you today for The 2nd International Conference on Disaster Preparedness for Persons with Disabilities. I would like to take this great occasion to congratulate the DAISY Consortium in collaboration with many governmental and non-governmental organizations in Thailand on making hard efforts to organize this very commemorative event.

　Since the tsunami disaster hit several areas in the Asia rim, including here in Phuket, in 2004 damaging the lives and environments to mother earth, protection and prevention awareness increased rapidly to all concern parties. Nevertheless, we have also increasingly seen different forms of disaster, both natural and human made. For example, in May of last year, a huge Cyclone that hit Myanmar took more than one hundred thousand lives while a major earth quake also took just about the same number. And we don't even know how many will be taken by a new challenge like the H1N1 flue epidemic.

　The fact that the organizers of this event have chosen Phuket as the place to start a movement which aims to work for better disaster preparedness for persons with disabilities shows that we still have hope. It is the hope, not only for this one of the most desirable destinations for tourists known as "Pearl of the Andaman Sea", but for the whole human society. And I'm glad to know that Senator Monthian, DAISY Consortium and other partners have faith in knowledge-based solution, especially through the use of accessible ICTs, that will help bridging the gap between the haves and the have-nots, the rich and the poor, and even more so, for those with and without disabilities, in such a very important area effecting human lives and human security.

　As the focal point within the Thai government, established to take charge in the national policy on ICTs, the Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies shares the same values and believes with you. We have been participating actively since the beginning of WSIS process and, in collaboration with disability communities, has played an important role in bringing disability-inclusive policy guideline into WSIS documents, namely the universal design concept and the use of assistive technologies. Now, under my supervision, we are deploying many community ICT centers around the country, equipped with accessible ICTs and assistive technologies. And the latest good news for Thai Persons with Disabilities is that the draft of the Ministerial Regulations in accordance with Persons with Disabilities Empowerment Act will be processed for further approval by the cabinet, which will guarantee the right for the disabilities to have access to the information and communications including

ICTs and assistive technologies for Persons with Disabilities on an equal basis with others. This is how we turn the spirit of WSIS and the mandate of Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities into practice.

　That is why I'm pleased to be here to take the same stand with you and to confirm that knowledge-based-based solution, through accessible ICTs for all, is the way for us to be better prepared for any disaster which may arrive any time. And even if Tsunami were to come back again, we could be much safer and, at least, minimize any possible loss. I do hope that this conference will contribute to a better and stronger inclusive information society.

　From all mentioned above, on behalf of the Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies under the Royal Thai Government, strongly believes that the preparedness for persons with disabilities through the information and communication technology towards the prevention of the preventable disasters would cover the needs in a wide range of target group in all areas. And Thailand would also like to fully commit ourselves to serious implementation of both WSIS policy guidelines and CRPD mandates. I wish everyone an informative Conference and pleasant stay in Phuket, the Pearl of Andaman Sea. I would now like to officially announce the opening of The 2nd International Conference on Disaster Preparedness for Persons with Disabilities.

Thank you.