The Hanoi Times - The World Information Technology Forum (WITFOR), under the theme “ICT for Sustainable Development,” will open in Hà Nội o­n August 26-28, with the presence of about 1,500 ICT Ministers, policymakers, researchers, enterprises, and non-governmental organizations from nearly 100 countries and territories.

In seven plenary sessions of WITFOR 2009, well-known speakers from UNDP, UNESCO, International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP), International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and representatives from many countries will present their remarks o­n ICT-related issues.

As the Honorary Chairperson of the event, PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng will give a welcoming speech at the opening session.

WITFOR 2009 also consists of four sidelines events, namely ICT exhibition, ICT Networking, High-level ICT public-private dialogue, and the PCs for Life Program.

WITFOR 2009, the fourth of its kind, is expected a chance for Việt Nam to confirm its status, influence, and potentials for ICT development and application in the international arena.

In 2008, despite economic recession, ICT in Việt Nam still grew by 20%. Việt Nam is now ranking the 18^th in the world and the 6^th in Asia in terms of internet development, with 21 million of users.

The country targets to become a powerful ICT country by 2020, with software industry and ICT services as its key economic industries.