assessment and review of the national ict policies of the pacific island countries (2)

InternationalTelecommunicationUnion

Assessment and Review of the National ICT Policies of the Pacific Island Countries (2)

Eric Lie

Policy and Regulation Forum for the PacificHoniara, Solomon Islands, 27-30 April 2010

MACMILLAN KECKATTORNEYS AND SOLICITORS


Country assessment

Status of national ICT policies in the region

Overview

ICT legal and regulatory framework

Status of national ICT policySubstance and structureProcess (Development, Adoption, Implementation, Review)

ObservationsStrengths and limitations

Recommendations for consideration


Assessment summaryStrengths

Recognition of importance of a national ICT policy

Substance and structure

Substantive issues in common

Most structural elements in place



Country Access and infra-structure

HRD & public awareness

Legal and regulatory framework

Governance and supply of public services

Industry & commercial growth

Traditions, cultures and languages

Cook Islands

Fiji

RMI(draft)

FSM(draft)

PNG

Samoa

Tonga

Key issues addressed in the goals and objectives of the national ICT policies of the region



National ICT policy structure elements in the PICs

Country Policy Statement

Strategic Plan

Background Vision Goals and Objectives

Strategies & activities

Timetable Institutional responsibilities

Resources available

Monitoring & reporting

Cook Islands

Fiji

RMI (draft)

FSM (draft)

PNG1

Samoa

Tonga



Process

Institutions responsible identified

Importance of resource mobilisation recognised

Assessments and consultations undertaken



Country National ICT policy adopted No national ICT policy adoptedAdopted Evaluation

(Review)Draft prepared Consultation

performedAssessment performed

Cook Islands Fiji Kiribati RMI FSM NauruNiue PalauPNG Samoa Solomon Is. Timor Leste Tonga Tuvalu Vanuatu

Total 5 3 3 7 6

Overview of National ICT Policy adoption in the region


Assessment summaryLimitations and Risks

Substance and structure

Lack of clear links between national ICT policy and overall development policies

Challenge of emerging issues

Regional collaboration dimension absent

Absence of a strategic plan

Risks to policy implementation



Process

Limitations of external trigger for policy development

Lack of stakeholder and high-level political support (or ICT champion)

Risk of delays in policy development and adoption

Shortage of resources (human and financial)

Lack of human resources skilled in policy-makingPredominance of one-off, narrowly-focused assistanceLack of funds for policy implementationAbsence of resource planningRisks to policy development and implementation



Process (con’t)

Absence of timeframe for adoption of national ICT policy

Absence of communications strategy to increase public awareness of the importance of a national ICT policy

Limited use of reporting and feedback mechanisms during implementation

Difficult to measure progress and policy success


Assessment summaryRecommendations

Country level

Examine existing national vision statements and overall national development policies and establish links with them in the national ICT policy

Develop and adopt a national ICT strategic plan in tandem with the national ICT policy

Establish a timeframe for the development and adoption (or review) of a national ICT policy



Country level (con’t)

Ensure institutional competence

Ensure that the responsible institution has the necessary political support to carry out its task

Ensure that the responsible institution has adequate resources for its task and the appropriate mandate to carry it out

Ensure policy-makers have the requisite policy-making skills and experience to analyse and transform inputs into an effective and successful national ICT policy




Embark on a resource planning exercise that identifies the resources necessary (i.e. in terms of funding and human resources) as well the potential sources of such resources and the implications associated with their use

Identify avenues for obtaining the necessary funding and training (e.g., policy-making, legal, technical, etc.)

Consider involving potential partners and donors in the national ICT policy development process




Initiate stakeholder consultations at an early stage in the development process

Build public awareness to promote government accountability and increase the level of political commitment

Develop and use independent procedures for project monitoring, reporting and feedback in order to arrive at objective results

Review and revise national ICT policies periodically in order to ensure they remain relevant



Regional level

Continue regional support in the area of ICT policy and regulatory development

Common declarations, technical assistance, workshops, …

Promote coordination and information sharing in the development of ICT policies and strategic plans

Facilitate the development of collaborative policy responses to existing and new ICT related challenges



Regional level (con’t)

Develop resources for sustained capacity building in the area of ICT policy-making

e.g. providing the ICT resource centre with resources to address ICT policy related needs, allowing it to act as a forum for information exchange and the coordination of twinning programmes or secondments …

Facilitate coordination between donors/partners and recipient countries to allow for effective resource planning

Promote a “holistic” approach to ICT policy development assistance


Thank you

Eric Lie

Email: [email protected]

MACMILLAN KECKATTORNEYS AND SOLICITORS

assessment and review of the national ict policies of the pacific island countries (2)

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