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CEA's Shapiro Discusses Technology's Impact on the Global Food Crisis at United Nations Conference

ARLINGTON, Va.-(Business Wire)-September 24, 2008 - Technology’s role in combating the global food crisis was the key theme during a United Nations (UN) Private Sector roundtable discussion moderated today by Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)^®. The roundtable discussion was part of a broader UN Private Sector Forum that featured global business leaders and key UN officials discussing the UN’s Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and Food Sustainability.

“Technological innovations can help solve the global food crisis and as industry leaders, we must collaborate with governments and the United Nations to promote the use of new technologies for food security and sustainability,” said Shapiro. “Advancements in technology not only contribute to the efforts to fight hunger on a global scale, but they also aid in building economic sustainability in developing regions. Every citizen of the world must have access to technology to be connected.”

Universal access to technology for all citizens will serve as major theme throughout the upcoming 2009 International CES^®, the world’s largest technology tradeshow, scheduled January 8-11 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The second annual Technology and Emerging Countries Program (TEC) at CES will focus on technology’s impact on economic advancement and sustainability in developing regions. The program will feature keynote addresses from Intel Chairman Craig Barrett and Cisco Chairman and CEO John Chambers. The 2009 CES show floor will feature a Technology and Emerging Countries TechZone, showcasing the pioneering technologies that contribute to the social and cultural development of emerging economies.

The UN Private Sector Forum consisted of several roundtable discussions focused on the global food crisis and food sustainability and featured global business leaders including executives from Intel, Coca Cola and Ericsson. Conference speakers included UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon; former U.S. President Bill Clinton and World Bank President Robert B. Zoellick.

The 2009 International CES will feature more than 2,700 exhibitors introducing the latest consumer technology products throughout 30 product categories including digital entertainment, high performance audio, digital imaging, electronic gaming and more. For more information and to register to attend the 2009 International CES visit www.CESweb.org, the interactive source for CES information.

Note to Journalists:

General press and analyst registration, as well as detailed press conference information, is available at www.CESweb.org. Journalists are encouraged to arrive in Las Vegas by Tuesday, January 6, to take advantage of all the CES press events, including CES Unveiled from 4-7 p.m. on January 6.

About CEA:

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $173 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. More than 2,200 companies enjoy the benefits of CEA membership, including legislative advocacy, market research, technical training and education, industry promotion and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES – Where Entertainment, Technology and Business Converge. All profits from CES are reinvested into CEA’s industry services. Find CEA online at www.CE.org.

Follow the 2009 International CES on Twitter at http://twitter.com/2009CES and visit the International CES Page on Facebook.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

—		CEA Industry Forum
		October 19-22, 2008, Las Vegas, NV

—		Digital Hollywood
		October 27-30, 2008, Hollywood, CA

—		EHX Fall 2008
		November 4-7, 2008, Long Beach, CA

—		CES New York Press Preview featuring CES Unveiled @ NY
		November 11, 2008, New York, NY

—		Future of Television East
		November 18-19, 2008, New York, NY

—		CES Unveiled: The Official Press Event of the International CES
		January 6, 2009, Las Vegas, NV

—		2009 International CES
		January 8-11, 2009, Las Vegas, NV

—		Digital Music Forum East
		February 25 - 26, 2009, New York, NY

—		Digital Patriots Dinner
		April 22, 2009, Washington, DC

—		CEA Washington Forum
		April 22 - 23, 2009, Washington, DC