wsis follow-up building the information society: a global challenge in the new millennium

world summit on the information society 1

Pierre GagnéInternational Telecommunication Union

March 2004

WSIS Follow-upBuilding the Information Society:

a global challenge in the new Millennium


WSIS first phase: some numbers More than 11,000 participants

• 176 UN member states• About 50 Head of States and Governments

and Vice-Presidents• 3,300 representatives from civil society• 514 business representatives from 98

organizations• 87 international organizations• 1000 media representatives

More than 300 Summit events


Overview of Results Adoption of the Digital Solidarity Agenda by

the world’s political leaders Declaration of Principles Plan of Action Groundbreaking multi-stakeholder

involvement Announcement of, and 1 million $ contribution

to, voluntary Digital Solidarity Fund Tunis phase: November 16th to 18th, 2005


Adoption of a Declaration of Principles and a Plan of Action

which: Create a common vision of the information society

Set out an agenda for building an inclusive development-oriented Information Society

Establish a framework which will involve all stakeholders

Request the UN Secretary General to initiate action in two crucially important areas: the creation of a Digital Solidarity Fund and Internet Governance


Declaration of Principles 11 key principles

• Cooperation and partnership among all stakeholders• Infrastructure = essential foundation of IS• Access to information and knowledge• Capacity building • Building confidence and security in the use of ICTs• Enabling environment• ICT applications• Cultural, linguistic diversity and identity• Media• Ethical dimension of the Information Society• International and regional cooperation


Broad objectives, goals and targets to be achieved by 2015:• Connect villages and establish community access points• Connect universities, colleges, primary and secondary

schools • Connect scientific and research centers• Connect libraries, cultural centers, museums, post offices• Connect health centers and hospitals• Ensure global access access to television and radio

services• Ensure that half of world’s inhabitants have access to

ICTs within their reach

Plan of Action (1)


Examples of actions to be carried out • Assist countries in developing national e-strategies• Assist countries in establishing multi-stakeholder,

public/private partnerships• Develop strategies on the use of ICTs for

sustainable development, by 2005• Publication of information submitted on success

stories in mainstreaming ICTs • Development of performance evaluation and

benchmarking to monitor implementation of Action Plan, of ICT Development Digital Opportunity Index and World ICT Development Report

Plan of Action (2)


Assist governments in establishing multi-purpose community public access points

Develop and provide capacity building programs to develop skills in the use of ICTs, to create critical mass of skilled ICT professionals

Assist governments in preventing, detecting and responding to cyber-crime and misuse of ICTs, including spam

Assist governments in establishing legal, regulatory and policy environment conducive to ICT development

Assist governments in developing ICT applications

Plan of Action (3)


Pending issues: Internet governance The UN Secretary General is asked to set up a

working group on Internet governance, in an open and inclusive process that ensures a mechanism for the full and active participation of governments, the private sector and civil society from both developing and developed countries, involving relevant intergovernmental and international organizations and forums, to investigate and make proposals for action, as appropriate, on the governance of Internet by 2005 (Paragraph C6, 13 b) Plan of Action)


Pending issues: Digital Solidarity Fund

A review – to be completed by the end of 2004 - of the adequacy of current financial mechanisms and the possibility to create a voluntary Digital Solidarity Fund will be be conducted by a Task Force under the auspices of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and will be submitted for consideration to the second phase of this Summit (Paragraph D2 f) Plan of action)


Considerable synergies between WSIS Digital Solidarity Agenda, and ITU mandate and programs

Next steps: Detailed assessment of results, from ITU

perspective Establishment of draft ITU strategy and

implementation plan Stocktaking of current and ongoing activities Development of new activities and partnerships Involvement of General Secretariat and 3

Sectors, particularly ITU-D Sector, including ITU Regional Offices

Report to Council 04

WSIS and the ITU


From Geneva to TunisThe second phase of the Summit will take place in

Tunis from November 16th to 18th, 2005 Preparatory work: Re-establish the WSIS bureau Hold a preparatory meeting in the first half of

2004: • to review those issues of the information society

which should form the focus of the Tunis phase• to agree on the structure of the process for the

second phase


Focus on implementation Maintain the momentum Mobilize human and financial resources Involve all stakeholders Launch new partnerships Reflect regional specificities in

implementing WSIS outcomes

Where do we go from here….


website: www.itu.int/wsis

contact: [email protected]

Thank you

wsis follow-up building the information society: a global challenge in the new millennium

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