KUALA LUMPUR: The largest-ever gathering of brains and decision makers in the global information and communications technology will begin here tomorrow, with Microsoft Corp founder Bill Gates appearing in holographic form at one of the sessions.

Gates, will be speaking at a marquee session with Microsoft Corp corporate vice-president Dr Ya-Qin Zhang on Monday.

They will be discussing trends and opportunities in innovation in a connected world.

With the exception of Gates, other technology luminaries who will make a personal appearance at the congress include Intel Corp chairman Datuk Dr Craig Barrett, pioneering scientific researcher Dr J. Craig Venter, World Information Technology and Services Alliance chairman George Newstrom and China Group chief information officer-cum-general manager (Asia Pacific) Diane E. Jurgens.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will deliver the keynote address on the opening day on Monday.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is among the notable speakers.

This year's event is themed "The Global Impact of Information and Communications Technology: Enable Businesses, Empower Societies, Enrich Economies".

WCIT 2008 will discuss social and economic issues such as education, healthcare, environmental sustainability, global peace and security, as well as poverty and digital divide.

The congress will also delve into the business and technological aspects of ICT through discussions on issues such as emerging technologies and business trends.

More than 2,500 participants from over 80 countries are expected at the congress.

WCIT 2008 chairman Datuk Badlisham Ghazali described the event as significant, saying that Malaysia, "is ideally-placed to be the gateway into the emerging knowledge economies of Asia and from Asia to the rest of the world".

WCIT 2008 chief executive officer Dan E. Khoo said global interest has been phenomenal.

The event received overwhelming response to its sale of delegate tickets, with 2,716 delegates booked.

The organisers have closed all channels for delegate registration including online and facsimile. On-site walk-ins will also not be available.

WCIT 2008 incorporates a three-day congress to address global impact issues, a link programme for business matching that includes a series of business-to-business, business-to-government and business-to-industry meetings, an ICT exhibition, a debate on ICT issues and ancillary activities like tours, golf tournament, F1 experience and a spouse programme.