Technology must be a key element in the strategy to eliminate Third World poverty, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, told an international information technology conference in Geneva today.
Mr Ahern said technology brings about economic and social development in every community and Western aid programmes bringing technological advances to developing countries should be encouraged.
He said Ireland was working with partner countries in the developing world through aid programmes in order to achieve the goal of universal primary education by 2015.
He told the United Nations World Summit on the Information Society that Ireland would increase spending in this area.
Measures to fight crime and the spread of HIV/Aids also benefit from technological development, he said.
He also referred to the Global eSchools and Communities Initiative which will be based in Ireland and a conference to be held in Ireland next year in association with the World Bank will share knowledge with countries developing their information technology strategies.
He also stressed the importance of governments working in tandem with the private sector.
"Indeed, many large private corporations are keen to show and exercise their responsibilities in assisting communities. So it is important for us to give them their space and to be open in our approach to the application of technologies," the Taoiseach said.