UNESCO organized its pavilion from 5 to 9 October 2009, entitled “Empowering persons with disabilities” at ITU Telecom World 2009. The ITU Telecom World was one of the major events for the global telecom and ICT sector bringing together key players from industry, policy makers, nongovernmental organizations and UN family around the world.

UNESCO’s pavilion was aiming to illustrate and demonstrate successful ICT applications and services for persons with disabilities. Together with its partners, such as DAISY Consortium, China Foundation for Disabled Persons, International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), Everyone Counts, Inc., Nuance Communications, Freedom Scientific, Ability, supported by Willager and Dominic Foundation displayed their hardware, software, services and applications for educational, scientific, communication and information purposes. The pavilion also provided space for mobilization of new, action-oriented partnerships and cooperation among various stakeholders.

The event was a great opportunity for UNESCO to promote the notion of knowledge societies where everyone can create, access, use and share information and knowledge as well as equally benefit and contribute to the societal development.