Microsoft Corp. Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates today addressed 200 government officials at the Microsoft Government Leaders Forum (GLF) in Washington, D.C., as part of a two-day summit bringing together leaders from the pan-American region. Participants engaged in discussions; exchanged experiences and best practices related to economic development, governance, service delivery transformation and education; and examined the role that information and communication technology (ICT) plays in achieving success in these areas. In addition to Gates' presentation, the forum featured keynote addresses by General Colin Powell, former U.S. secretary of state; Aníbal Acevedo Vilá, governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher; and Reg Alcock, president of the Treasury Board Canada Secretariat.

Highlighting several new and expanded initiatives that provide governments with resources to deliver affordable digital access and develop a well-structured and easily implemented approach to government interoperability, Gates reaffirmed the company's commitment to meeting the unique needs of governments and their citizens worldwide.

• Transcript and Webcast