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Contribution from the Director of the BDT Introduction and background Council 2004 Resolution 1222, resolves to instructs the Secretary-General and the Directors of the Bureaux to implement those results of Phase I that relate directly to the ITU mandate and its core competencies, including reporting on activities that pertain thereto in their respective operational plans.

In accordance with the above-mentioned Council Resolution, this document gives an overview of the ITU-D contribution to the implementation of WSIS Plan of Action. It contains an overview of the synergies between ITU-D current mandate and the relevant Action Lines of the WSIS Plan of Action adopted in December 2003, reference to a detailed listing of actions undertaken and planned in an updated stock-taking document, new projects and partnerships launched during WSIS and new initiatives resulting from the momentum generated by WSIS. All actions either undertaken or planned are within the current mandate of ITU-D.

1. Stock-Taking A detailed listing of activities undertaken by ITU-D that are relevant to the WSIS Plan of Action can be found in the updated stocktaking provided as an annex to this report. The table below shows at a very broad level, the correlation between Action Lines of the WSIS Plan of Action and the relevant ITU-D mandate.

WSIS Plan of Action - Action Line Relevant ITU-D Mandate

C1. The Role of governments and all stakeholders in the IsAP Programmes 1, 3, and 4 promotion of ICTs for Development WTDC02 Resolutions 6, 13 and 29

C2. Information and communication infrastructure: an IsAP Programmes 1, 3, and 4. essential foundation for the information society WTDC02 Resolution 3

C3. Access to information and knowledge IsAP Programmes 3 and 4

C4. Capacity Building IsAP Programmes 3, 4 and 5

C5. Building confidence and security in the use of ICTs IsAP Programme 3

C.6 Enabling Environment IsAP Programmes 1 and 3 PP02 Resolution 102

C7. ICT Applications IsAP Programme 3 WTDC02 Resolution 3

C8. Cultural Diversity and Identity, linguistic diversity IsAP Programme 3 and local content

C10. Ethical dimensions of the Information Society IsAP Programme 3

C11. International and regional cooperation IsAP Programmes 1, 3 and 4 2. Partnerships and Projects launched during WSIS In its effort to increase resource mobilization and partnerships, the BDT took advantage of the presence of a host of stakeholders during WSIS to conclude a number of agreements aimed at extending its activities within its current mandate. Many of these agreements and alliances were established during WSIS, leading to a number of projects supported by partners from public and private sector and international donor organizations.

Title: Connectivity for Rural and Remote Areas Reference to ITU-D Mandate: IsAP Programme 3 This project will focus on providing connectivity for rural and remote areas. It will specifically provide e-post through telekiosks at post offices in Bhutan. The project will be based on existing telecom and organizational framework of Bhutan Telecom and Bhutan Post. Partners: Government of India, Royal Government of Bhutan and Universal Postal Union

Title: Health Academy Project Reference to ITU-D Mandate: IsAP Programme 3 The project aims at using telecommunications and ICTs to bring knowledge and know-how in health and disease prevention into the domain of the villagers, the community and the majority of the population of most countries especially the underprivileged in least developed countries worldwide. Through this ITU-WHO joint collaboration, ongoing ITU MCT, e-applications and other access-related projects could be vehicles for the delivery of information on health and disease prevention. Partners: WHO

Title: E-government projects in Cameroon, Kyrgyz Republic and Rwanda Reference to ITU-D Mandate: IsAP Programme 3 Description: These projects seek to enhance government services to citizens and increase transparency and efficiency in delivering these services. It will enable governments to exchange sensitive information, provide solutions for citizens and business to do e-payments enable citizens to conduct secure online transactions to access administrative services. Theses services will facilitate the decentralization of government structure by bringing, through ICTs, important services to citizens via secure and highly trusted information infrastructure and applications. Partners: European Community, Contribution: US$ 1million

Title: National E-health Project for Turkey Reference to ITU-D Mandate: IsAP Programme 3, WTDC02 Resolution 41 Description: The strategic objective of the project is to improve healthcare services in Turkey by developing a Highly Secure National Health Information Platform that enables healthcare providers (primary and secondary healthcare), health professionals’ and citizen’s easy and safe access to health related information and services by using latest Information and Communication Technologies. Development of primary healthcare information systems supporting family doctors system, implementation of electronic health records and development of interoperable systems between healthcare service providers including primary healthcare centres, hospitals and public private insurance agencies are some of the deliverables of this project. Partners: Government of Turkey and World Bank. Contribution: US$ 50 million.

Title: E-learning project for Rural Schools in LDCs Reference to ITU-D Mandate: IsAP Programme 6 Description: This is an ITU/Inmarsat initiative to develop e-learning services in priority least developed countries and other developing countries. The objective is to provide Internet connectivity to rural schools and e-health through Inmarsat’s Regional BGAN IP satellite modem. The satellite that provides high speed data service at up to 144 kilobits per second is available to 99 countries in the Middle East, North and Central Africa, Europe, the Indian sub-continent, and parts of Central Asia. However, the service will be available to the rest of the developing countries following the launch of a new satellite in 2005. Partners: Inmarsat.

Title: Extension of Internet Training Centres Initiative Reference to ITU-D Mandate: IsAP Programme 5 Description: This projects aims at the establishment of 20 additional Internet Training Centres in 2004 and sets the stage for ITU and Cisco Systems to further develop their cooperation in developing and least developed countries. The Internet Training Centres will be selected in close collaboration with the national communications authorities and will primarily target civil servants. Partners: CISCO

Title: Strengthening African Capacity for Cost-Effective Access to the Internet Reference to ITU-D Mandate: IsAP Programme 3 Description: The project will contribute towards the building of strong Internet infrastructure backbone in Africa. The overall aim is to provide affordable Internet access and connectivity through the implementation of national and regional Internet exchange points plus any other critical infrastructure projects identified during the feasibility study and endorsed for implementation. While Africa’s improved Internet connectivity will be the main focus, other regions will benefit in the process by drawing lessons from the African situation for further improving their own connectivity, and enjoy other regions will benefit in the process by drawing lessons from the African situation for further improving their own connectivity, and enjoy other benefits accruing from the improved access. Partner: UNDP. External contribution: US$ 1 million

Title: Provision of services for the use of Simputers in the e-post project in Bhutan Reference to ITU-D Mandate: IsAP Programmes 2 & 3 Description: Simputers with software that enables translation into local languages are integrated in order to overcome barriers of illiteracy, computer literacy, language and costs. The combination of technologies also addresses the basic issue of infrastructure such as lack of electricity. An important component is expansion of the national telecom network for six extremely remote, high altitude locations. Partner: Encore Software Ltd., India

Title: Cooperation Agreement between ITU & The World Bank Group Reference to ITU-D Mandate: IsAP Programmes 1 & 4 Description: Strengthen the coordination of activities of the two organizations related to ICT development and promote investment friendly environment in developing countries. Partner: The World Bank Group / Global Information & Communications Technologies Dept.

Title: Implementation of business management programme at the ITU Centres of Excellence Reference to ITU-D Mandate: IsAP Programme 5 Description: Provision and support by the “Institut National des Télécommunications” of business management programme “SIMOBIZ” to be implemented in the ITU Centres of Excellence initiative. Partners: Minister of Foreign Affairs / International Cooperation Directorate of France Institut National des Télécommunications, France Title: Development and support of RASCOM system Reference to ITU-D Mandate: IsAP Programme 2 Description: Build a working relationship between ITU & RASCOM in order to facilitate the use of RASCOM system as a tool for achieving Universal Service and Access in Africa in a cost- effective, efficient, affordable and sustainable manner. Partners: RASCOM and RascomStar-QAF

Title: Development of a multi-vendors technical platform by the ITU Centres of Excellence Reference to ITU-D Mandate: IsAP Programme 5 Description: Development and implementation of a multi-vendors platform by the International Institute of Telecommunications (IIT) of Montreal, Canada, in order to allow local development and update of products and services in developing countries. Partners: Government of Canada / Industry Canada, International Institute of Telecommunications (IIT) Canada

Title: e-Learning project for high schools in Jamaica Reference to ITU-D Mandate: IsAP Programmes 3 & 5 Description: Cooperative Agreement between ITU & Government of Jamaica for development and implementation of an e-education / e-learning project, in order to complete the current high school network in Jamaica, using interactive video, television and distance-learning techniques. Partner: Ministry of Trade, Sciences & Technologies, Jamaica

Title: Support to the telecommunication sector in Angola Reference to ITU-D Mandate: IsAP Programmes 1, 2 & 5 Description: Cooperative Agreement between ITU and the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications of Angola, for the support of the telecommunications sector and in particular the modernization of infrastructures, the assistance to the new regulatory agency and the development of the National Telecommunications Institute. Partner: Ministry of Posts & Telecommunications of Angola

Title: Management development programme Reference to ITU-D Mandate: IsAP Programme 5 Description: Cooperation with the International Institute of Management in Telecommunications (iimt) of the university of Fribourg, Switzerland, for developing and implementing a Management Development Programme in developing countries, within the framework of the ITU Centres of Excellence initiative. Partner: International Institute of Management in Telecommunications (iimt), Fribourg (CH)

Title: e-Learning project Reference to ITU-D Mandate: IsAP Programmes 2 & 5 Description: Cooperative Agreement between ITU and WorldSpace Corp., for developing and facilitating access to education in developing countries through the use of WorldSpace satellites equipment and services in Asia, Middle-East, Africa and Europe. Partner: WorldSpace Corporation

3. New Initiatives WSIS also served as a catalyst in boosting ITU-D activities and in facilitating the establishment of a number of alliances. The momentum generated by WSIS resulted in a number of new initiatives that are within the framework ITU-D’s current mandate, which were possible because of the increased awareness of the role, mandate and activities of ITU-D. Many of these initiatives are currently being finalized and information on their status will be made available in 2005. ANNEX

ITU-D Activities relevant to the implementation of the WSIS Plan of Action

Ref. Doc.: Council Res. 1207, instructing the Secretary General and the Directors of the Bureaux to perform a “stock-taking exercise” and prepare an analysis paper, to show how ITU’s current work programme contributes to the fulfilment of the objectives outlined in the WSIS draft action plan and to post this material on both the ITU and the WSIS websites by 1 July 2003.

Ref Doc. Council 2004 Resolution 1222, resolves to instructs the Secretary-General and the Directors of the Bureaux to implement those results of Phase I that relate directly to the ITU mandate and its core competencies, including reporting on activities that pertain thereto in their respective operational plans. In accordance with Council Resolution 1222, the activities reported in this document are based on ITU’s current mandate and for the BDT, updated to reflect activities undertaken and planned before and after the adoption of the WSIS Plan of Action, within the current Plan of Action of the Development Sector, and to implement specific Action Lines in the WSIS Plan of Action

Stocktaking document outline: -Action lines (I-XI) -Digital Solidarity Agenda -Follow-up and evaluation -Towards WSIS Phase 2 (Tunis)

ITU Activities References Activities/projects/initiatives Responsible sector/ office

C. Action lines (1-11) (WSIS Plan of Action) C1. The Role of governments and all stakeholders in the promotion of ICTs for development 8. 8a) 8b) 8c) 8e) 8g) 8h) 8i)

The ITU publication “Trends in Telecommunication BDT/PSF/RRU ITU publication “Trends in Telecommunication Reform - practical tools for regulators 2003” addresses Reform - practical tools for regulators 2003, 5th edition” how governments can promote ICTs for development by http://www.itu.int/publications/docs/trends2003.html fostering an effective regulatory environment. The ITU organized G-REX Virtual Conferences in order BDT/PSF/RRU http://forum.itu.int/~grex (password only) to enable regulators and policy makers to share information on key regulatory topics while using the very ICTs over which they may have a policy and regulatory mandate. The ITU has performed case studies, providing feedback BDT/PSF/RRU http://www.itu.int/itunews/issue/2003/03/consumers.ht to regulators from the private sector, investors and ml consumers which articulated the perspective of these three http://www.itu.int/itunews/issue/2003/03/investors.html key stakeholders in promoting ICTs for development. http://www.itu.int/itunews/issue/2003/03/privates.html The ITU Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR) BDT/PSF/RRU http://www.itu.int/ITU- fosters cooperation among national regulatory authorities D/treg/Events/Seminars/2003/GSR/index.html around the globe and seeks to encourage dialogue between http://www.itu.int/ITU- regulators and key stakeholders including private sector, D/treg/Events/Seminars/2004/GSR04/index.html investors and consumers. During the 4th annual Symposium, held just prior to the WSIS, participants prepared a blueprint of what should be done to ensure that global access to the tools of communication is extended to all of humanity. The GSR Universal Access Best Practice Guidelines were submitted to the WSIS. The 5th annual Symposium will take place from 8-10 December 2004 in Geneva on the subject of licensing in an era of convergence. Participants will discuss best practice guidelines to promote low cost broadband and internet connectivity. th To view contributions, see http://www.itu.int/ITU- In preparation for the 5 annual GSR, BDT launched a BDT/PSF/RRU consultation among countries in order to identify best D/treg/Events/Seminars/2004/GSR04/consultation.html practices for the promotion of low cost broadband and internet connectivity. ITU-D Study Groups 1 and 2. BDT/IOS/STG Resolution 3 (Rev. Istanbul, 2002) http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/pdf/B406021-2_002-en.doc ISAP Programme 2 BDT/PSF/TND Assist Governments and regulators in developing countries to set up a regulatory/legal framework designed to minimize the network deployment cost while facilitating WTDC-02 Resolution 43 the provision of extensive network coverage and specific http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/imt-2000/index.html social service and applications. Assist countries during the licensing process for migration/evolution from 2G to 3G mobile. http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/imt-2000/licensing.html IsAP Programme 3 BDT/PSF/E-STR http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e- Explore opportunities for identifying potential partners strategy/MoU/world_e.html based on project requirements and facilitating the creation of mutually beneficial partnerships. Actions: Governments, private sector and civil society representing 35 countries have already signed the World e- Trust MoU, the objective of which is to establish an inclusive, technology-neutral and technology-independent framework for partnerships in the development of secure ICT applications. IsAP Programme 6 (Programme for the Least BDT/FOP/LDC http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ldc/mauritius Developed Countries) held a multi-stakeholder conference in July 2004 to promote ICTs development and highlight the role each stakeholder (governments, private sector, academia, civil society, and inter-governmental organizations) is playing and how this role can be enhanced. Global E-Government Project: "Enhancing Government BDT/PSF/E-STR http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e-strategy/ Services through the use of Secure and Trusted Internet Executive summary at: Infrastructures and Applications". This project is aimed at (http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e-strategy/projects/E- assisting and increasing government efficiency in Government/Executive-summary11.pdf) developing countries by providing Internet-based services and applications to citizens and government officials. In the framework of Programme 4 of the ITU-D Istanbul BDT/PSF/MEF http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/finance/index-fr.html Action Plan (IsAP), a macroeconomic study on financing telecommunication development has been undertaken. The objective of this study is to evaluate the opportunities opened up by telecommunication development, and the financing required in low teledensity countries, by considering 34 selected developing countries. The participation of different players, such as the private sector, equity investors, financial institutions, national and multinational organizations, regulators, operators and service providers was taken into consideration.

ITU-D Partnership and external cooperation BDT/PSF/PPM WTDC-02- Resolution 29: As far as cooperation among stakeholders is concerned http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/WTDC- ITU should, in line with the WTDC-02 Resolution 29, 02FinalReport/Section4/Resolutions/Res029.pdf -continue to apply the principles of transparency and non exclusivity to partnership opportunities and projects WTDC-02-Resolution 6: involving the private sector. http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/WTDC- 02FinalReport/Section4/Resolutions/Res006.pdf -promote increased sector membership & active participation of sector members in ITU-D activities and http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/partners develop ITU regional offices tasks that improve http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/membership mechanisms for increased sector member participation in their activities. -facilitate exchange of views and information between Member States and Sector Members on private sector issues related to telecommunication policies and regulation, technologies and related services, market access and investment conditions. -promote and facilitate the creation of human resource development programmes and activities relevant to Sector Members’ interests in developing countries, encouraging private and public sector participation -coordinate and cooperate with public and private organizations, foundations and financial institutions on issues concerning telecommunication development and promote opportunities for ITU-D sector members. -facilitate cooperation and coordination between sector members and regional associations of the private sector. -facilitate the development of public and private sector partnerships for the implementation of regional initiatives such as the NEPAD, the Agenda for the Connectivity of the Americas. The ITU WTDC-02 Resolution 13 on Resource BDT/PSF/PPM WTDC-02 Resolution 13: Mobilization and Partnership for acceleration http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/WTDC- telecommunication development. 02FinalReport/Section4/Resolutions/Res013.pdf http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/partners

The Working Group on Gender Issues, which is made up of BDT/DIR/YAG http://www.itu.int/ITU- Member States, Sector Members, representatives of D/gender/events/3rdAnnualWGGIMeeting/ international organisations as well as research and academic organisations works with ITU-D to develop strategies and projects aimed at promoting ICTs for development

C2. Information and communication infrastructure: an essential foundation for the Information Society 9. 9a) 9b) 9c) 9d) 9g) 9h) 9i) 9j) 9k) 9l

ISAP Programme 2 focuses on assisting developing BDT/PSF/TND countries to plan, build, operate, upgrade, manage and The Istanbul Action Plan: http://www.itu.int/ITU- maintain the technologies used in their networks and D/isap/WTDC-02FinalReport/Section2/Prog2.pdf services, for wireline and wireless networks, terrestrial mobile communications, spectrum management and broadcasting. http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/WTDC- Tasks: 02FinalReport/index.html Create or recommend appropriate tools for telecommunication Network Planning as well as ITU new http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/tech/network- Spectrum Management System for developing countries. infrastructure/Manual_Network_Planning/ITU_Vision_ NetwPlann_1.pdf Increase awareness and knowledge of new planning strategies and tools for evolving wireline and wireless http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/tech/network- networks to Next Generation networks (NGN), terrestrial infrastructure/index.html mobile communications, spectrum management and broadcasting. Organization of Regional Seminars, http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/imt-2000/BDTActivities.html Symposia, workshops on new technologies (wireless http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/tech/network- networks, terrestrial mobile communications, spectrum infrastructure/index.html management and broadcasting) and related Network Planning Strategies http://www.itu.int/ITU- D/ties_users/Manual_Network_Planning/index.html

http://www.itu.int/md/meetingdoc.asp? Production of Technology-oriented guides, planning type=sitems&lang=e&parent=D02-SG02-C-0131 manuals and professional engineering training material on a new approach on Network Planning for Evolving Network Architectures to NGN, Mobile Network http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/tech/network- Transition fro 2G 3G and Spectrum Management infrastructure/Direct_Assistance_Fixed_Networks/inde x.html

Provision of assistance to Member States and Sector http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/imt-2000/GSM Members for project implementation, Technical advices, %20Kenya.html feasibility studies and technical advices and consultation on Technologies related matter such as network infrastructure planning and management, mobile, frequency planning and spectrum management

IsAP Programme 3 on E-strategies and e- BDT/PSF/E-STR ITU Development sector: services/applications focuses directly on harnessing the potentials of ICTs to reduce the social divide and facilitate http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ access to the information society and on advising Member States in formulating relevant national and regional The Istanbul Action Plan: strategies and policies for the development and use of http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/IstanbulActionPlan.html Internet and e-services/applications. WTDC Istanbul Final Report: Priorities http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/WTDC- a) Integrate IP-based applications and value-added 02FinalReport/index.html services in the development of all kinds of telecommunication networks. The development of Programme 3 E-strategies and e-services/applications: telecommunication infrastructure needs to be integrated in http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/WTDC- the deployment of IP-based applications and value-added 02FinalReport/Section2/Prog3.pdf e-services/applications by taking into account advances in technologies, the integration of data and voice, user E-strategy unit: requirements and socio-economic conditions. http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e-strategy

Actions: many workshops and seminars have been organized at the national and regional levels, leading to the elaboration of national and regional policies for ICTs. IsAP PROGRAMME 6: Programme for the Least BDT/FOP/LDC LDC Unit: http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ldc Developed Countries seeking to mobilize resources and implement infrastructure in least developed countries in promotion of universal access. A number of infrastructure related projects were implemented including community http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ldc/projects multi-purpose telecentres in a number of countries selected to benefit from concentrated assistance in 2004.

A number of publications were prepared in support of ongoing initiatives to include a number of country specific expert reports, and others of a global nature such as The Application of Information and Communication Technologies in the Least Developed Countries for Sustained Economic Growth, Handbook on Emergency http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ldc/publications Telecommunications Strategic studies & Guides: BDT/PSF/E-STR BDT/PSF/TND  Handbook on Deployment of IMT-2000 Systems (finalised in close collaboration with BR and TSB http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/imt-2000/documents/IMT- Sectors): The purpose and scope of this Handbook 2000%20Handbook_Web_1.pdf is to provide general guidance to ITU members, http://www.itu.int/publications/docs/tsb/imt2000.html network operators and other relevant parties on issues related to the deployment of IMT-2000 systems. This Handbook is intended for everyone concerned with building, supporting and serving the market, as well as technology specialists, operators and ITU members. Several new players will enter the IMT-2000 services market to ensure its success, and this Handbook is also intended to help them.  Guidelines on the smooth Transition of existing Mobile Networks to IMT-2000 for Developing http://www.itu.int/md/meetingdoc.asp? Countries (MTG): In the last decade, large pre- type=sitems&lang=e&parent=D02-SG02-C-0131 IMT-2000 mobile telecommunications networks have been deployed all over the world. In some countries, the penetration of mobile users exceeds 75% and the mobile generated traffic is comparable to – if not greater than - the fixed traffic. These Guidelines are intended for use of telecom operators, policy makers and regulators to facilitate development of their respective strategies for the transition from pre-IMT-2000 networks to IMT- 2000. While it is desirable for pre-IMT-2000 systems to be able to evolve to IMT-2000, the decision whether or not to evolve is not within the scope of the ITU. In each case the decision, as a policy matter, must be made by those responsible for each particular system/service. These Guidelines intend to present an objective and neutral view of the issues to be addressed in the transition from existing mobile networks to IMT- 2000. The Guidelines are a natural complement to the ITU “Handbook on Deployment of IMT-2000 Systems”, in which more detailed technical information can be found.  Manual on Telecom Network Planning for Evolving Network Architectures: New-generation technology is to be introduced in the networks, speeding up the convergence process, obliging http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/tech/network- planners to apply different specialized up-to-date infrastructure/index.html planning tools. This manual intends to present an objective and technology neutral view of the topics to be addressed in the planning of the transition to NGN. The Reference Manual is intended for use by network planning experts from telecom operators, policy makers and regulators to facilitate the development of their respective strategies for evolution of the present network architectures and transition to the Next Generation Networks - NGN.  Essential Report on IP Telephony: Considering that important technical, socio-economic and policy issues need to be addressed by developing countries http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e-strategy/publications- in order to introduce IP telephony, the "Essential articles/ Report on IP Telephony" was prepared by the Group of Experts from both developing and developed countries.  Support for Development of the Global http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e-strategy/publications- Information Infrastructure in Africa: “Guide on articles/ Managing and Developing Network Connections and Interconnections to the National Internet Nodes”. At a time when the telecommunication sector is undergoing a genuine transformation as a result of the convergence of telecommunication, computer and audiovisual technologies, this guide is designed to provide some signposting in the innovative sphere of Internet-based communications networks.  Implementation of IP telephony in developing countries (Question 19/1): Studies and discussions on the evolution to IP-based networks http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/study_groups/SGP_2002- including IP telephony and broadband access will 2006/SG1/StudyQuestions/SG1Quest.html allow Member States and Sector Members to exchange information, share experiences and discuss issues that emerge as developing countries plan and implement IP- based infrastructure.  Strategy for migration from circuit-switched networks to packet-switched networks (Question 19/2): Most of the existing switching networks especially in developing countries are circuit switched based type. Convergence of voice, data http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/study_groups/SGP_2002- and video requires packet based switched networks. 2006/SG2/StudyQuestions/SG2Quest.html The study of this Question involves the review, analysis and assessment of the experience of many countries with regard to the strategy towards Next generation Networks - NGN. http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/study_groups/SGP_2002-  Examination of access technologies for 2006/SG2/StudyQuestions/SG2Quest.html broadband communications (Question 20-1/2): This study includes an economic analysis of the factors affecting the deployment of various broadband access-technologies. The study also includes an examination of the benefits of using broadband technologies taking into account the gender perspective. In accordance with Resolution 3 of the WTDC in Istanbul BDT/IOS/STG WTDC-02 Resolution 3: two ITU-D study groups were set up, Study Groups 1 and http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/WTDC- 2, which address various important questions. 02FinalReport/Section4/Resolutions/Res003.pdf

List of Study Group questions of Study Group 1 http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/study_groups/SGP_2002- 2006/SG1/StudyQuestions/SG1Quest.html Study Group 2 http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/study_groups/SGP_2002- 2006/SG2/StudyQuestions/SG2Quest.html

The studies of ITU-D Study Group 1 on: BDT/PSF/RRU & Definition of Question 6-1/1 -among others more equitable sharing of interconnection BDT/IOS/STG http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/study_groups/SGP_2002- costs, thereby contributing to reducing the price of BDT/PSF/TND 2006/SG1/StudyQuestions/QuestionDefinitions/DEFQ connectivity to end-users in developing countries, UEST06-1E.doc facilitating the universalization of access. Interconnection addresses technical, economic and Definition of question 7 -1/1: regulatory aspects of interconnection. http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/study_groups/SGP_2002- (Question 6-1/1) 2006/SG1/StudyQuestions/QuestionDefinitions/DEFQ -financing for universal access. (Question 7-1/1) UEST07-1E.doc -the Impact of Convergence of telecommunication, broadcasting and information technology. Definition of Question 10-1/1 (Question 10-1/1) http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/study_groups/SGP_2002- -on Satellite regulation in developing countries. (Question 2006/SG1/StudyQuestions/QuestionDefinitions/DEFQ 17/1) UEST10-1E.doc

Question 17/1 definition: http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/study_groups/SGP_2002- 2006/SG1/StudyQuestions/QuestionDefinitions/DEFQ UEST17E.doc The studies of ITU-D Study Groups 2 on BDT/IOS/STG Definition of Question 10 1/ 2: -“communications for rural and remote areas”, hereby BDT/PSF/TND http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/study_groups/SGP_2002- contributing to studies undertaken with aim at finding 2006/SG2/StudyQuestions/QuestionsDefinitions/DEFQ relevant solutions for promoting the development of UEST10-1E.doc (information and) communication infrastructures adapted to the environment, and relevant to communities, with Definition of Question 12-1/2: particular attention to the needs of remote and rural areas, http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/study_groups/SGP_2002- and marginalized urban areas. 2006/SG2/StudyQuestions/QuestionsDefinitions/DEFQ (Question 10 1/ 2) UEST12-1E.doc -The examination of broadband communications over traditional copper wire, taking into account certain aspects Definition of Question 20/2: of technologies, systems and applications (Question 12- http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/study_groups/SGP_2002- 1/2) 2006/SG2/StudyQuestions/QuestionsDefinitions/DEFQ -The examination of access technologies for broadband UEST20E.doc communications (Question 20/2), contribute to the development and strengthening of national, regional and international broadband network infrastructure to help in providing the capacity to match the needs of countries and their citizens and for the delivery of new services. - Identify the economic impact and development aspects for migration of mobile networks to IMT-2000 and beyond, Definition of Question 18/2: with particular attention to cost affordability for the end- http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/study_groups/SGP_2002- users, as well as identification of migration techniques 2006/SG2/StudyQuestions/QuestionsDefinitions/DEFQ taking into consideration the experience of developed UEST18E.doc countries and the special needs of developing countries (e.g. sparse population, low traffic density, propagation conditions, and the need for a low-cost national IMT-2000 network). Examine The possibility of using first and second generation mobile spectrum for IMT-2000 and beyond. (Question 18/2). As a strategic priority of ITU, IMT-2000/3G mobile ITU-D About ITU’s IMT-2000 activities: provides a framework for worldwide wireless access http://www.itu.int/imt making use of terrestrial and/or satellite components based ITU-R on globally harmonized frequency spectrum associated ITU-T with radio and network core specifications defined by a set SPU of interdependent ITU Recommendations. In the spirit of Resolution 43 (Istanbul, 2002) ITU is: IsAP Resolution 43: -Providing advice and direct assistance to countries in http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/WTDC- implementing the IMT-2000 systems in accordance with 02FinalReport/Section4/Resolutions/Res043.pdf the ITU Radio Regulations and the relevant ITU Recommendations. -Organising seminars and workshops and producing training material and Handbooks on strategic planning for http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/imt-2000/BDTActivities.html the introduction of IMT-2000. -Preparing a guideline for smooth migration (MTG), including system interoperability among third-generation http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/study_groups/SGP_2002- technologies, and undertaking studies on economics of 2006/SG2/StudyQuestions/QuestionsDefinitions/DEFQ migration to IMT-2000, with particular reference to its UEST18E.doc impact on developing countries. Youth Programme provided equipment to Child Helpline BDT/DIR/YAG International so that children and young people from LDCs could obtain advice through the telephone.

The ITU addresses the special needs of indigenous people BDT/PSF/E-STR Special initiative 4: by having launched, at the WTDC in Istanbul, a special BDT/DIR/YAG http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/WTDC- initiative aimed at increasing awareness of the benefits of 02FinalReport/Section2/SpecialInitiatives.pdf communication among the indigenous people. The initiative pays in particular attention to identifying the http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/youth/ barriers to access to telecommunication systems/ICT services and recommending ways to overcome them. BDT launched a successful project for the indigenous Andinian community (Aymara and Quechua) in Bolivia. Through a satellite antenna and a telecenter installed in village school, ITU connected this disadvantaged group with the rest of the world. In collaboration with Member States and the Africa BDT/DIR/YAG http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/gender/ Programme, the Gender Issues programme supports the provision of sustainable connectivity and access to remote and marginalized locations through the creation of multi- purpose community centers. The ITU has started programme 6 of the Istanbul Action ITU special programme for LDCs website: Plan, a Special programme for LDCs, which aims at http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ldc/ increasing the average telephone density to 5 main lines (ML) per 100 inhabitants and the number of Internet Programme 6 IsAP: connections to 10 users per 100 inhabitants by 2010 (year http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/WTDC- of the fourth United Nations Conference for LDCs). 02FinalReport/Section2/Prog6.pdf

“Universal Service in the Americas”, jointly published in BDT/FOP/AM Universal Services in the Americas: 2000 by ITU, CITEL and AHCIET. A joint publication http://www.itu.int/itudoc/itu-d/publicat/b_book.html highlighting the experiences of countries in Americas with http://www.citel.oas.org/pubs/universal_service.asp Universal Service policies and financing. CITEL website: http://www.citel.oas.org/ MEF Unit assists developing countries to formulate and BDT/PSF/MEF http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/finance/work-cost- implement economic/financial policies by developing or tariffs/events/index-results-04.html offering tools and methodologies for calculating the cost of providing telecommunication services, interconnection, economic forecasts, simulation and sensitivity analyses of price changes. In this regard two Expert Dialogues were successfully organized with the participation of representatives from Administration/Regulators, operators, private sector and scientific institutions: - Expert Dialogue on Adjusting Forecasting Methods to the Needs of the telecommunication Sector (Geneva 25-26 October 2004) - Expert Dialogue on Managing Risk in the Competitive Environment of the Telecommunication Sector (Geneva 28-29 Oct. 2004). Given the importance of the use of IP networks, the ITU BDT/PSF/MEF http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/finance/ developed a study on Pricing of telecommunication services based on IP networks: the objective of this study is to illustrate to regulators, operators and service providers an economic model indicating how to create profits using IP-based networks as a vehicle for real time telecommunication services. ITU Publication: Trends in Economics and Finance – BDT/PSF/MEF http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/finance/work-cost- Cost, Tariff and Interconnection Rate Calculation tariffs/publications/affordability.html Methodology is aimed at network operators and regulatory authorities in developing countries. This publication sets out a model for calculating telephone services, costs, tariffs and interconnection rates, and also presents the results emerging from typical case studies carried out on the basis of this methodology, with a view to serving as a guide for comparative values. COSITU is the ITU software for the Calculation of BDT/PSF/MEF COSITU Online: Costs, Tariffs and Rates for Telephone Services. This http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/finance/COSITU/ tool is designed to permit operators, service providers, regulators and policy-makers to efficiently calculate cost- oriented or cost-based tariffs, taxes related to trade in international traffic (accounting, settlement and termination rates), and interconnection rates for national and international telephone services, both fixed and mobile. The new COSITU SP2 version includes, amongst other improvements, the possibility to estimate sensitivity to market risk (BETA) in the calculation of capital costs; the possibility of excluding interurban service in the determination of the amount of access deficit where regulatory policies demand (e.g. Venezuela); plus visibility of intangible assets whose treatment is different from tangible assets. COSITU’s message system has also been revised with a view to furnishing practical recommendations. The ITU publication “Trends in Telecommunication BDT/PSF/RRU ITU publication “Trends in Telecommunication Reform - practical tools for regulators 2003” explores Reform - practical tools for regulators 2003, 5th edition” how regulatory reform contributes to bridging the digital http://www.itu.int/publications/docs/trends2003.html divide, e.g., by promoting the rise of mobile services and keeping regulatory barriers to ICT access low. The ITU organized the GREX Virtual WiFi for Rural BDT/PSF/RRU http://forum.itu.int/~grex (password only) and Public Access conference which explored regulatory aspects of the use of WiFi technology to achieve rural and public access. The Interconnection Regulation part of the ITU publication BDT/PSF/RRU http://www.itu.int/publications/ Trends In Telecommunication Reform 2000/2001 docs/trends2000.html addresses regulatory and economic aspects of interconnection. It aims to identify the key issues raised by interconnection regulation and to provide concrete examples of how regulators and policy makers around the globe have addressed these issues. ITU and CTO jointly developed a three-part Universal BDT/PSF/RRU http://www.itu.int/ITU- Service model (covering universal access/service policies, D/treg/Events/Seminars/2002/GSR/documents.html regulations and procedures) in order to help countries under “Sunday”, documents 7,8 and 9. devising appropriate universal access policies and strategies within two years. Commonwealth Telecommunications Organization: http://www.cto.int/ CTO/ITU Regulatory workshops: http://www.cto.int/frame.php?dir=08&sd=30 The ITU and UNESCO will establish a computer-training http://www.itu.int/newsroom/press_releases/2003/09.ht centre in Ethiopia to assist the blind and visually impaired ml community in Ethiopia to gain access to information and communication technologies (ICTs). ITU has created a universal access websites giving more ITU universal access website: background information about universal access, among http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/univ_access/ others about Public Access Points (PAPs) (which include About PAPs: Multipurpose Telecentres (MCTs)). About MCTs: http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/univ_access/telecentres/ Visions on the information society, fostering globally accessible and affordable ICTs http://www.itu.int/osg/spu/visions/global/index.html Providing access to ICTs for all http://www.itu.int/osg/spu/wsis- themes/Access/index.html

C3. Access to information and knowledge 10a) 10d) 10h) 10i)

IsAP Programme 6: Programme for the Least Developed BDT/FOP/LDC http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ldc Countries implemented a number of community telecentres to enhance information dissemination and general access to ICTs especially for rural based communities. Also http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ldc/emergency implemented an emergency telecommunications project http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ldc/projects aimed at facilitating access to information when the general infrastructure is disrupted by disasters. Helped countries develop the right strategies and policies that lead to universal access to ICTs applications and services. ISAP Programme 2 BDT/PSF/TND http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/imt-2000/index.html Increase awareness and knowledge in regard to Network Infrastructure and application networks and services http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/tech/network- Maintain and expand the BDT website on Network and infrastructure/index.html Infrastructure. Post on the BDT WEB site all the information and files concerning the BDT studies, activities, Seminars and http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/imt-2000/licensing.html Workshops related to Technologies and telecommunication/network development. Encourage the access to information and activities on Network and Infrastructure planning via e-meetings for Administration and Sector Members: finalization of the Network Planning Manual to be posted the BDT WEB site. In IsAP Programme 3, ITU is mandated to continue to BDT/PSF/E-STR http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e-strategy/internet/ expand the implementation of multipurpose platforms and multipurpose community telecentres and to introduce IP- based applications and value-added e-services/applications. Develop strategies for the implementation of Internet protocol and e-services in current and future MCTs to strengthen their viability and expand their use. Several projects aimed at delivering shared access to ICTs including societal applications have been implemented in many countries such as Mauritania, Kyrgyzstan, Uganda. The Youth Programme created a world wide Network for BDT/DIR/YAG http://www.itu.int/ITU- « Young Leaders in ICTs ». This Network offers D/youth/YLinICTs/documents/websiteYLinIct.html information on educational opportunities, recruitment, links and contact information for the administrations and private sector dealing with telecom. Further ITU's events and activities are advertised and interactive discussion boards, where ICT information, educational experiences and ideas are shared online among the ITU-TELECOM Youth Forum Alumni members and other interested youth. ITU’s Youth Programme provides support in the BDT/DIR/YAG http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/youth/ implementation of a project with students from Tel Aviv University. The «Digital Bridge», designed to open up the world of ICTs to young Palestinians and Israelis who would otherwise have been deprived access to this vital area of knowledge. The ITU’s Special Initiative on Gender Issues has BDT/DIR/YAG http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/gender/ developed and implemented several research projects aimed at providing quantitative and qualitative data to guide policy and project planning at the national, regional and international levels. Projects include a case study for the Asia-Pacific region and a global study documenting access to and use of ICTs by women and men. The ITU’s Special Initiative on Gender Issues, in BDT/DIR/YAG http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/gender/ collaboration with the Africa Regional Offices and several Member-states, have established multipurpose community public access points, many of them managed by women. These Centres provide access to various communication resources. Location decisions are guided by considerations of safety for all, including women. The database on tariff policies, tariff models and BDT/PSF/MEF The tariff policies database: calculation methods on national telecommunication http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/finance/work-cost- services is based on an annual survey of over 120 tariffs/sg1/ administrations and network operators around the world. This database profiles the evolution of tariff policies in different countries. Taking into account the complexities of different environments, the results are presented by teledensity, region and GDP. The ITU database on Financing Institutions/Private BDT/PSF/MEF http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/CDS/financial- Sources for financing and investment in institutions/index.asp telecommunication development provides detailed information, including funding conditions, on multilateral and bilateral agencies, and private and public sources of funds. In keeping with the role of ITU as a mobilizer of resources, contact names and direct links are provided to the financial institutions that provide resources in developing countries for telecommunication projects or technical assistance. Global Database of Scientific Institutions Focusing on BDT/PSF/MEF http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/finance/scientific- Telecommunications/ICTs institutions/index.html As instructed by Member States, MEF is aiming to strengthen ITU relationships with the world of science, i.e. research institutions and institutions of higher education specializing in telecommunications/ICTs. In the framework of its activities, MEF intends to create a global database of scientific institutions, i.e. research institutes and institutions of higher education, focusing on telecommunications/ICTs. The new, freely accessible Internet tool should: increase the visibility of all scientific institutions on an international level; foster international collaboration through simplification of the search process for research project partners; give information on institutions offering education programmes focusing on telecommunications. This database will be available at the end of the year. The ITU-D database on operators and service providers in BDT/PSF/PPM http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/partners developing countries (OPERITU) provides not only general coordinates on operators and ISPs but also encourage them to complete and update their company profile regarding the products and applications they market as well as their key development projects and their need or offering for development partners to accompany them on local, regional or international markets The ITU has been carrying out an annual survey on BDT/PSF/RRU To view the survey and extracts from the database in Telecommunication Regulation for 10 years. The the form of regulatory profiles, see information is contained in the Telecom Regulatory http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/treg/ Database. The database contains, inter alia, information on the legal and regulatory frameworks; the structure, financing, and functioning of the regulatory authority; the licensing process; level of competition; and privatization. On the ITU webpage there are several studies/links in http://www.itu.int/osg/spu/wsis- relation to intellectual property. themes/confidence_and_security/intellectual_capital.ht ml#Intellectual%20Property Paper “Intellectual capital in the information society”: http://www.itu.int/osg/spu/visions/free/ITUIntCapitalpa per.pdf C4. Capacity building 11e) 11f) 11j) 11l) 11m)

The ITU Programme 5 of the Istanbul Action Plan Human Capacity Building Programme 5 (IsAP): (WTDC-02), Human Capacity Building Programme, http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/WTDC- assisting developing countries to strengthen their human, 02FinalReport/Section2/Prog5.pdf institutional and organizational capacity through human resource management and development, expanding its Resolution 42 (Istanbul,2002), Implementation of tele- reach to include the very policy-makers and regulators that education programmes are at the cutting edge of designing and implementing http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/WTDC- policies to increase access and use of ICTs. 02FinalReport/Section4/Resolutions/Res042.pdf ITU organizes regular training courses in ICT-related BDT/FOP/HRD http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/hrd/ subjects addressed to policy makers, regulators, operators and service providers. Approximately 200 actions are implemented per year including: face-to-face workshops and seminars; e-learning and coaching; case studies, benchmarks, best practices; regional and global meetings of specialists on ICTs. Subjects range from policy-making and regulation, to new technologies, including business and human resources management and development. A variety of agreements with ITU-D members and academia allow ITU to provide formal education programmes up to the Masters level, which use ICTs and e-learning tools for training. ITU’s Centres of Excellence Initiative has already BDT/FOP/HRD http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/hrd/coe/index.html allowed to up-grade the skills of more than 2’500 managers and decision- makers over the last four years on priority issues ranging from telecommunications/ICT policy and regulation, to new technologies, including business and human resources management and development. The training resources developed through the project include a growing number of models and case studies aimed at supporting the participants in building their own scenario and develop solutions tailored to their specific needs and environment. The resulting network of training providers is now ready to address new challenges such as the ones that could result from the forthcoming WSIS. A number of new programmes are already under discussion with key players currently involved in the preparation of the WSIS. The ITU launched the ITC Initiative for Developing BDT/FOP/HRD http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/hrd/itci/ Countries in May 2001, with the aim of providing students and professionals in developing countries with affordable and relevant information technology training in Internet Protocol (IP) networking. Cisco Systems, Inc. joined the global initiative as a pioneer partner, offering its Cisco Networking Academy Program. In Aug 2004, ITCI had established 53 Internet training Centers worldwide (5 Gender-focused Internet Training Centers and one women only Centre ) and trained 208 instructors(43 women instructors), who are now running these centers and delivering the training programmes to ITU and gender students. A total of 3272 students are presently enrolled in http://www.itu.int/gender/ the programmes with a 28.9% of women participation. Since 2002 and up to now, 855 students have successfully ITU-D working group on gender issues: graduated from the programmes. All centres established so http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/gender/ far are now operating without any direct support from ITU or from any other ITCI partner. By the end of 2004, ITCI aims to introduce the Extended Curriculum (courses offered by other partners such as Hewlett Packard and Panduit Ltd) in twenty of the best performing academies. The ITCI project further aims to open another 20 Internet Training Centres (ITCs) bringing the total number of centres to 73 worldwide by the end of 2004. ITU and key partners Cisco, UNDP and USAID hosted two Africa Forum targeted for Internet Training Centers in LDCs: Johannesburg 2002 and Dakar 2003. The Project funded the participation of selected top students from Internet Training Centers in the Youth Forum and in the TDS in Telecom Asia 2002 and Telecom World 2003 as well as the participation of the 5 instructors of 5 top-performing African Academies to the Cisco Sustainability Workshop in Uganda, Oct 2004.

Though Information and Communication Technologies BDT/FOP/HRD (ICTs) provide unprecedented opportunities to accelerate development, connectivity being driven primarily by market forces gives rise to the concern of “e-exclusion” – isolated communities in geographically remote areas are being further marginalized and disadvantaged by not having access opportunities.

A pilot project, called eCLICs, has been proposed to establish ICT Community Learning and Information Centres connected via satellite or other means to the Internet at rural schools that will in turn serve as hubs for community development. Through these centres, various human capacity building initiatives will be extended to the rural community This Capacity Building Project aims to maximize its social BDT/FOP/HRD http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/telsurp/7-GLO-03-046.doc impact and increase human as well as institutional capacity in Least Developed and Developing Countries by targeting two layers of the Internet population – the end user and the advanced user. Through a train-the-trainer approach, the ITU/BDT will provide affordable and relevant training using both face-to-face workshops and e-learning methods. The Basic ICT programme aimed at the end user has been built to impart computer skills that will allow for increased employment opportunities and will be implemented in 5 countries. The Advanced ICT programme is aimed to teach computer literate users a combination of advanced skill which will allow for the creation of a new business and this will be implemented in another 5 countries. This project is scheduled to be complete by May 2005 and is being carried out with the funding by the European Union and the ITU. ITU e-Learning Center has been established as a global BDT/ ITU e-Learning centre: platform aimed at strengthening human capacities in the FOP/ http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/hrd/elearning/index.html areas of telecommunications and human resource HRD development. Since 2003, more than 100 online courses are offered annually in the areas of Telecom Policy, Technology Awareness, Regulatory Issues, Strategic Management, e-Services, Spectrum Management and Network Engineering. Another service provided through the e-Learning Centre is the setup of e-Communities to facilitate knowledge sharing among telecom professionals. In a cost effective manner, the ITU e-Learning Centre provides a flexible strategy to develop human capital through the use of Internet to foster skills development and continuous learning. In order to facilitate the world-wide www.itu.int/ITU-D/hrd/tc/ access to the online training, an electronic catalogue is available. ITU-FUNANDINA Centre for ICT Training provides BDT/PSF/E-STR E-strategy unit implementing e-services: training on Internet and e-commerce for students in the http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e-strategy Latin American region. Further training has been provided to participants from Mecusor states on security and trust ITU-FUNDANDINA Agreement technologies for e-commerce. http://www.fundandina.org/Convenio.htm E-strategies presented technology strategies and policies to Centres of Excellence in the Arab Region in Damascus, Syria to build capacity in the domain of security for e- applications and services. Programme 1 – Regulatory Reform – BDT/PSF/RRU see http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/treg/ ITU’s Regulatory Reform Unit has developed a self- learning course on interconnection regulation. The course materials are designed to provide the basics on interconnection regulation. The eight modules and a self- administered test are ideally suited for new regulatory staff responsible for interconnection issues. The course is publicly available on the telecommunication regulation website. A training workshop on dispute resolution was organized for European regulators in Geneva in September 2004. The purpose of the meeting was to build capacity in the area of dispute resolution in a competitive telecommunication and ICT environment through the exchange of experiences among the major stakeholders. Participants were given an overview of dispute resolution techniques with particular emphasis on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) techniques. An eight week on-line course on dispute resolution (based on the ITU/World Bank discussion paper on dispute resolution) will be run in 2005. The second meeting of regional regulators associations will take place in Geneva in December 2004. The theme of that meeting is capacity building. In order to ensure that young people are equipped with ITU Youth Education Scheme: knowledge and skills to use ICTs and to participate fully in http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/youth/yes/index.html the Information Society, including to select and interpret scientific information, the ITU launched the Youth Education Scheme. This initiative is for young people in developing countries who are interested in pursuing careers as communication policy-makers, business people, lawyers, or engineers: YES gives them the opportunity to complete their education in communications-related specialities. In accordance with WTDC-02 and Resolution 38 the BDT BDT/DIR/YAG ITU Youth Programme: http://www.itu.int/ITU- created the Youth Programme. This Programme has D/youth/ launched capacity building initiatives designed to assist the ITU Youth Education Scheme:http://www.itu.int/ITU- youth, including an education scheme and an internship - D/youth/yes/index.html training programme. The Youth Education Scheme aims to ITU Youth Incentive Scheme:http://www.itu.int/ITU- assist young people from developing countries in pursuing D/youth/YouthIncentiveScheme/index.html their careers and/or in completing their tertiary education in the field of communication. Since 2003, 20 young people, mainly from Africa Region, benefitted from scholarships. The Youth Incentive Scheme offers the possibility of achieving experience with the ITU-D’s HQ or Field Offices as well as with its Sector Members. Since 2003, 14 young people have participated. ITU organized a Youth Forum Panel with regional and BDT/DIR/YAG http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/youth/ international industry executives, educators and civil society activists. The participants converted this interaction into an emerging global network «Human Network». Projects have been presented and planned at the global level and within local nodes. The ITU’s Special Initiative on Gender Issues, in BDT/BDT/YAG http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/gender/ collaboration with other programmes within ITU, has designed a training module for regulators, developed and implemented capacity trainings for women, and through various efforts with the Working Group on Gender Issues, is working to erode barriers to women’s access to ICT education and training programmes. The ITU and Alcatel launched a Youth Initiative for http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/youth/alcatel/bdtalcatel.html university-age youth who were participating at the ITU TELECOM Africa 2001: they invited to enter a contest to propose ways to promote Internet in their country as an extension to Universal Access. Four students received a bursary of 5000 Euros or an internship opportunity to work on their own projects. As part of the ITU Youth Programme ITU TELECOM ITU TELECOM Asia 2002 Asia 2002 was organized in order to enable exceptionally http://www.itu.int/ASIA2002/forum/youth/index.html? talented university students (men and women) from all the menuItem=7&subMenuItem=-1&tabName=Forum Asia-Pacific region Member States of the ITU to access the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector. The combination of their experiences at ITU TELECOM ASIA 2002 and their academic excellence will prepare them to join a corps of future leaders in the ICT field. In order to promote understanding in developing countries BDT/PSF/MEF http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/finance/COSITU/index.html of the calculation of costs, tariffs and rates, a special series http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/finance/work-cost- of training workshops on the ITU model for the calculation tariffs/events/index-results-04.html of costs, tariffs and rates for telephone services, COSITU, is being held worldwide. COSITU Training Workshops in 2003 included Arab countries (Egypt), CEE and CIS countries (Russia), West- African French- speaking countries (Burkina Faso), West- African English- speaking countries (Nigeria), Eastern and Southern African countries (Mozambique), Central African French-speaking countries (Democratic Republic of Congo), Central American countries (Nicaragua). COSITU Training Workshops in 2004 include CIS countries (Azerbaijan), English-speaking Arab countries (Egypt), Latin American countries (Chile), French- speaking Arab countries (Tunisia), Asia Pacific (Indonesia), and Caribbean countries (Curacao). As part of the COSITU programme for 2003-2004 and in BDT/PSF/MEF http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/finance/COSITU/Training- coordination with the Centres of Excellence, regional the-trainer/index-results.html capabilities are being enhanced by the “training the trainers” programme, offered in several different languages, in order to prepare specialists in the use of COSITU. At present, specialists have been trained for Africa, Arab States (English-speaking countries) and CIS countries. “Tele-education in the Americas”, jointly published in BDT/FOP/AM Tele-education in the America’s: 2001 by ITU and Comisión Interamericana de http://www.citel.oas.org/Tele-Education/Table%20of Telecomunicaciones (CITEL). %20Content.asp CITEL website: http://www.citel.oas.org/ Hosted by the government of Syria, ITU has organized a ITU/FOP/ARB http://www.ituarabic.org/E-Education/ regional seminar on e-education in Damascus Syria from ITU/PSF/E-STR 15-17 July 2003. Bringing together key players from the Arab region, this seminar addressed the challenges to the use of the Arabic language in ICTs. The Arab Regional office is conducting a Regulatory BDT/FOP/ARB Needs Assessment exercise to determine the needs of the region and hence develop appropriate training programmes to fit these needs, allowing regulators and the private sector to be on the same level of understanding. IsAP Programme 3: assist developing countries in the BDT/PSF/E-STR implementation of relevant e-services/applications for education. Highlight item Internet at school in Timbouctou: Action: Project: “The Internet For Schools: Leading the way to sustainable development” seeks to connect schools http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e- to the Internet in Developing Countries in order to provide strategy/internet/Seminars/Mali_Internet_at_School/ind better education and training using Information and ex-fr.html Communications Technologies (ICTs) and other skills central to a globalizing world. The time path: http://www.jura.ch/lcp/mali/planification.pdf ITU has developed and deployed with partners two projects in Interactive Distance Training of Primary Teachers in India and Morocco (of which the latter is to be presented at one of the WSIS “side events”), mobilizing operators, users, industrial groups and standard-setting bodies to ensure interoperability of application systems. ITU website: Visions on the information society, ICTs ITU website: Visions on the information society, ICTs for education and building human capital, gives for education and building human capital background information on the pro’s and con’s of e- http://www.itu.int/osg/spu/visions/education/index.html education. ITU’s ICT Success Stories on digital education website. ICT Success Stories on digital education: http://www.itu.int/osg/spu/wsis- themes/ict_stories/DigitalEducation.html IsAP Programme 6: Programme for the Least BDT/FOP/LDC LDC Unit Developed Countries being a programme that seeks to http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ldc integrate the group of countries that remains marginalized in the world economy continued to support institutional http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ldc/publications strengthening initiatives, training through workshops and conferences for the LDCs. This issue was also addressed http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ldc/events through research papers and publications by this programme. Combined initiatives were undertaken with http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ldc/projects sister programmes to reinforce human development initiatives. C5. Building confidence and security in the use of ICTs 12d) 12e) 12f) 12e) 12f) 12g) 12j)

Two out of the six priority domains of IsAP Programme BDT/PSF/E-STR IsAP Programme 3: are aimed at addressing Security and e-legislation. ITU http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/WTDC- has been mandated to: 02FinalReport/Section2/Prog3.pdf Enhance security and build confidence in the use of public networks for e-services/applications. E-strategy: http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e-strategy Provide assistance to Member States in developing laws and model legislation for e-services/applications, E-legislation: prevention of cyber crime, security, ethical issues and data http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e-strategy/e-legislation/ privacy. World e-Trust Memorandum of Understanding: Actions: http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e- Assistance has been provided at national and regional strategy/MoU/world_e.html levels in the elaboration of appropriate legislative framework for building trust and confidence in ICTs Countries such as Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Cape Verde, ASETA Member States (Bolivia, Columbia, Ecuador, Mongolia, Peru and Venezuela), Tanzania have benefited from ITU assistance in the elaboration of e-legislation. Projects using advanced security and trust technologies based on Public Key Infrastructure (including biometric authentication, smart cards and digital signatures) have been deployed and operational in countries from various ITU regions such as Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Cambodia, Georgia, Peru, Jamaica, Senegal, Paraguay and Turkey. A Workshop was organized for 128 countries to share information and best practices in security and trust technologies and policies. Several national workshops and seminars addressing technology strategies for e-security have been organized in a number of countries (e.g., Azerbaijan, Cameroon, Chile, Mongolia, Pakistan, Paraguay and Uzbekistan. To address global issues in relation to e-security, ITU initiated a multilateral and self-regulatory framework called World e-Trust Memorandum of Understanding. Governments, private sector and companies representing 35 ITU Member States are signatories of the World e-Trust MoU. The 2003 Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR) BDT/PSF/RRU http://www.itu.int/ITU- recommended that BDT launch a discussion on D/treg/Events/Seminars/Virtual- frameworks for international cooperation on countering events/Spam/index.html Spam. A virtual conference was held in March 2004 with a group of regulators to discuss co-operative action. The 2004 regulatory survey included some new questions on spam, in order to identify the authority responsible for combating spam, and determine which countries had developed anti-spam legislation. A break-out session will be held during the 2004 GSR on spam, to continue discussions on international cooperation. C6. Enabling environment 13a) 13b) 13b-i) 13b-ii) 13c) 13d) 13f) 13i) 13k) 13l) 13m) 13p) 13q) 13r)

The overall objective of IsAP Programme 1 on Regulatory BDT/PSF/RRU IsAP Programme 1: Reform is “to create a trustworthy, transparent, and non- http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/WTDC- discriminatory legal, regulatory and policy environment 02FinalReport/Section2/Prog1.pdf capable of promoting technological innovation and competition”. Trends in Telecommunication Reform 2004/05 – Licensing in an era of convergence, 6th edition There are many actions both already underway and planned “Trends in Telecommunication Reform - practical tools for to fulfil this objective. regulators 2003, 5th edition” -The preparation of reports http://www.itu.int/publications/docs/trends2003.html (Annual Trends Publication) - ITU/CITEL Telecommunication Policies for the Americas http://www.itu.int/ITU- Region D/treg/Events/Seminars/2002/GSR/documents.html -Development of model legislation (ITU and CTO jointly under “Sunday”, documents 7, 8 and 9. developed a three-part Universal Service model (covering universal access/service policies, regulations and Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation: procedures) in order to help countries devising appropriate http://www.cto.int/ universal access policies and strategies within two years.) -Conducting of case studies, including those identifying CTO/ITU Regulatory workshops (Introduction to Regulation, Strategies for Access best practices for effective regulators. 2004 case studies on Development, Licensing, Interconnection, licensing in an era of convergence Competition Policy, Pricing and Tariffs): http://www.cto.int/frame.php?dir=08&sd=30 A “handbook on good practices and success stories”: the BDT/PSF/RRU http://forum.itu.int/~grex (password only) Global Regulators Exchange (G-REX), a password- protected website for national regulatory authorities and policy makers, has been very successful in facilitating an exchange of best regulatory practices through its hotline and online conferences. Regulators and policy makers have shared information on their challenges and success stories. G-REX conferences to be launched this year aim to identify best practices in addressing specific regulatory challenges. The ITU has performed a case study, Feedback to BDT/PSF/RRU http://www.itu.int/itunews/issue/2003/03/consumers.ht Regulators from Consumers 2002, which focuses on how ml regulators can act to ensure consumer protection and include consumers in the regulatory process. The ITU, together with the World Bank, carried out a joint Full text of the report is available here, study on the settlement of national disputes with an http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/treg/Case_Studies/Disp- emphasis on consensus building and alternative dispute Resolution/ITU_WB_Dispute_Res-E.pdf resolution. This study had now been turned into an on-line training course that will be offered in 2005. Environment Information Circulation and Monitoring BDT/PSF/TND http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/tech/innovative- System on the Internet Programme for Africa (SISEI): applications/index.html The SISEI is a capacity building programme (BDT and UNITAR collaboration) on the applications of information technologies for the establishment of Environment Information Systems on the Internet. The SISEI Programme is a contribution to answer information needs of the environmental component of NEPAD. The goal of the SISEI initiative is to assist countries and sub regions generating adequate institutional framework, and to build the capacity of countries and regional organizations to implement systems for the validation, circulation and harnessing of relevant environmental information, with a view to strengthening the participative approach at the different decision-making and operational levels and thereby promoting enlightened decision-making. 10 country projects are supported in the framework of the Telecom Surplus Funds over a period of 3 years (2003- 2005).

The “Blue Book on Telecommunication Policies in the BDT/FOP/AM http://www.citel.oas.org/publications.asp#Blue Americas (update)” is to be jointly published by ITU and %20Book:%20Telecommunication%20Polices%20for CITEL. This 3rd edition of the Americas Blue Book is %20the%20Americas%20Region aimed at enhancing the development of ICTs throughout the region. The report will focus on regulatory challenges in light of convergence, the connectivity agenda and strategies for promoting an information society in the Americas Region. In the framework of the project Economic and Financial BDT/PSF/MEF http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/finance/ Aspects of Enabling a Policy, Legal, Regulatory and Operational Environment in Asia and Pacific, a workshop on the ITU model COSITU was implemented, in order to discuss relevant aspects such as service costs to clients; Universal Service policy; tariff rebalancing; interconnection; termination charges; tariff regulation, client segmentation, mobile prepaid communications, roaming, VoIP, Internet, etc. As part of the Regional Project on Connectivity for Latin BDT/PSF/MEF http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/finance/ American countries, a study on the regional assessment of the telecommunication market has been developed. The objective of this study is to assist and provide the countries of the region with the mechanisms and tools they need in order to facilitate, whenever necessary, the respective assessment, design, implementation, evaluation and integration of the national Agendas of Connectivity, as well as of the relevant programmes related to the use of information and communication technologies. The ITU-D Study Group 2 BDT/IOS/STG Resolution 9 (Rev. Istanbul, 2002): Resolution 9 (Rev. Istanbul, 2002) http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/pdf/B406021-2_004-en.doc deals with the participation of countries, especially developing countries, in spectrum management. ITU WTDC-98 Resolution 9 demanded for a review of ITU-D/ITU-R http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/study_groups/SGP_1998- national spectrum management and use of the 2002/JGRES09/Res9_Index.html spectrum. Stage 1:29.7-960 MHz. Stage 2: 960 MHz-3 GHz is now being studied. a) PP02 Resolution 102 – Management of Internet BDT/PSF/E-STR http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e-strategy/internet domain names and addresses. Organize international and regional forums to discuss policy, operational and technical issues on the Internet in general and the Kigali Declaration: management of Internet domain names and addresses in http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e- particular. strategy/internet/Seminars/Rwanda/documents/kigali- declaration%20E.pdf b) Council 2003 Resolution to develop IP Policy Manual. c) IsAP Programme 3: advise Member States in Moscow Declaration: formulating relevant national and regional strategies http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e- and policies for the use of Internet. strategy/internet/Seminars/Moscow/Docs/moscow- Actions: regional seminars to address policy issues for declaration-rev%20eng.pdf Internet domain names and Addresses have been organized for Africa and Europe leading to the Kigali and Moscow Dubai Declaration (Coming soon) Declarations respectively. Other Seminars were also E-government and IP Symposium for the Arab Region, organized such as: Sub-regional seminar on Internet and IP Dubai (UAE), 22-25 November 2004 telephony, Guatemala, (2002). Assistance has been provided to countries and regions on national and regional IP policies e.g. Development of national ICT Policy For the Congo Republic (2003), National ICT Policy For Cameroon (2004). The ITU’s Special Initiative on Gender Issues is BDT/BDT/YAG http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/gender/ collaborating with a regional regulatory authority to formulate a regional ICT policy that aims to facilitate entrepreneurship, innovation and investment and is targeted to women and the disadvantaged. Updated “The Arab Book” which deals with telecom BDT/FOP/ARB http://www.ituarabic.org/arabbook/index.htm policies in the region and made it available on the website The ITU has helped in the creation of the Arab BDT/FOP/ARB http://www.ituarabic.org/ARN/index.htm Telecommunications Regulators Network to allow the cross fertilisation of experiences and ideas. IsaP Programme 6: Programme for the Least http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ldc/special-needs Developed Countries having as one of its key priority areas, the restructuring of the telecom sector embarked on a number of initiatives aimed at fulfilling this role. Assistance to LDCs was aimed at continuing the process of sector restructuring, too bring about liberalization and competition as well as privatization where necessary. All this was targeted at inducing faster network growth and better management of the sector such that countries would derive higher benefits from it. Assistance was provided to new regulators especially to those in countries emerging out of war otherwise referred to as Countries in Special Need such as Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia, Sierra Leone, etc.

C7. ICT Applications: benefits in all aspects of life 14. 15.a) 16a) 16b) 18a) 18b) 18e) 18f) 19c) 20a) 21a) 21b)

E-government

IsAP Programme 3: BDT/PSF/E-STR Programme 3 E-strategies and e-services/applications: a) Harness the potentials of ICTs, so as to contribute to http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/WTDC- reducing the social divide and improving quality of 02FinalReport/Section2/Prog3.pdf life, good governance, better access to health services, distance learning and universal access. b) Assist developing countries in the implementation of relevant e-services/applications for the health, government services, education, agriculture, business and commercial sectors. Access to the information society should be one of the main goals of Programme 3. c) Promote e-services/applications (e.g., e-government, e-commerce, e-agriculture, e-health, e-learning) in developing countries. d) WTDC02 Recommendation 7 – Role of telecommunication and information technologies in the protection of the environment.

Actions: several projects and initiatives in e-education, e- http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e-strategy health, e-agriculture, e-government, e-learning and e- business have been successfully implemented in countries from all regions of the world. Several workshops and seminars have been organized by BDT/PSF/E-STR http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e-strategy the ITU to address national, sub-regional and regional technology policy issues and strategies for e-government and other e-applications in various regions of the world including Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Bhutan, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Egypt, Tunisia. A regional workshop for the Arab Region is planned for November 2004 in United Arab Emirates with the objective of facilitating the elaboration of a regional e- government policy with focus on the technology aspects. E-business

For more than 5 years, ITU has been providing technical BDT/PSF/E-STR Programme 3 E-strategies and e-services/applications: assistance in the implementation of e-business project for http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/WTDC- developing countries. As part of its Electronic Commerce 02FinalReport/Section2/Prog3.pdf for Developing Countries (EC-DC), e-business projects have been implemented in Africa, Asia, Latin America and E-strategy unit: Arab Region. Five regional seminars on e-business have http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e-strategy/ been organized to address regional technology policy issues and strategies for e-business. ITU also provides ITU Electronic Commerce for Developing Countries direct assistance to developing countries in e-business website: technology policies and strategies. E-business projects have http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e-strategy/ecdc/ been recently launched in Seychelles and Cameroon. ITU-D Study Group 2 (Question 17/2) studies the BDT/IOS/STG Definition of Question 17/2: progress on ITU activities for e-commerce. http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/study_groups/SGP_2002- 2006/SG2/StudyQuestions/QuestionsDefinitions/DEFQ UEST17E.doc E-learning: see IV Capacity building

E-health

The ITU is contributing to the development of innovative BDT/PSF/E-STR Programme 3 E-strategies and e-services/applications: solutions and options for providing health services to http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/WTDC- underserved areas and the development of institutional 02FinalReport/Section2/Prog3.pdf partnerships. ITU's e-health activities include the implementation of WTDC02 mResolution 41 (Istanbul,2002) on E-health telemedicine projects in several countries including (including telehealth/telemedicine) Mozambique, Malta, Nicaragua, Georgia, Myanmar, http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/WTDC- Senegal, Bhutan, Uganda and Ukraine. There are ongoing 02FinalReport/Section4/Resolutions/Res041.pdf projects for several countries such as Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya, Haiti, Rwanda, Venezuela, Sudan, Mauritania, E-strategy unit: Bulgaria, Zimbabwe and Guinea. Requests for assistance http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e-strategy/ from Lebanon, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Latvia are in consideration for future partnership action by ITU.

ITU and the government of Turkey are currently undertaking a multi-million US$ national e-health project aimed at improving healthcare services by developing a Highly Secure National Health Information Platform that enables healthcare providers (primary and secondary healthcare), health professionals’ and citizen’s easy and safe access to health related information and services by using latest Information and Communication Technologies. Development of primary healthcare information systems supporting family doctors system, implementation of electronic health records and development of interoperable systems between healthcare service providers including primary healthcare centres, hospitals and public private insurance agencies are some of the deliverables of this project.

ITU also provides assistance in elaborating national and regional ICT strategies that can enhance health services in developing countries. To address common issues related to enhancing health BDT/PSF/E-STR through ICTs, ITU will be organizing for the third time a World Telemedicine Symposium for Developing Countries in November 2005 in Tunis, Tunisia, just before the WSIS. The expected outcome of this event and the purpose is to bring together health and telecommunication officials from all regions of the world to identify key areas in the health sector where ICTs can benefits to the population. It aims at addressing and assessing various technological options to deal with the urgent concerns of developing countries in the health and medical domains. ITU also continues its collaboration with WHO and European Space Agency as part of the Telemedicine Alliance (TMA) Bridge to elaborate a roadmap and strategy for the implementation of e-health projects. The ITU-D Study Group 2 (Question 14-1/2) studies the BDT/IOS/STG Definition of Question 14-1/2: application of telecommunications in health care. http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/study_groups/SGP_2002- 2006/SG2/StudyQuestions/QuestionsDefinitions/DEFQ UEST14-1E.doc

The study “Telemedicine in the Americas”, jointly BDT/FOP/AM CITEL website: published by ITU and Comisión Interamericana de BDT/PSF/E-STR http://www.citel.oas.org/ Telecomunicaciones (CITEL) in 2003. ITU contributes (together with the satellite consortium Press release: Inmarsat) to the establishment of an ICT-based e-health http://www.itu.int/newsroom/press_releases/2003/01.ht network to provide medical assistance following ml humanitarian disaster and emergencies, by launching the ITU Partnership to Provide Satellite Services for Disaster Management. ICT Success Stories on E-health website. ICT Success Stories on E-health: http://www.itu.int/osg/spu/wsis- themes/ict_stories/ehealth.html E-employment

Under programme 3 of the Istanbul Action Plan (WTDC- BDT/PSF/E-STR Programme 3 E-strategies and e-services/applications: 02), dealing with E-strategies and e- http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/WTDC- services/applications, the ITU – together with ASAFE and 02FinalReport/Section2/Prog3.pdf other partners - has started an e-employment (e- competence) project for women and youth in Cameroon E-strategy unit: (with possible replication in Democratic Republic of http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e-strategy/ Congo, Chad, Guinea, Tunisia and Rwanda). The objective is to produce, support and service a sufficient number of women with the knowledge and skill profile that is needed ASAFE to lead to the move to e-competence and capability in the http://www.asafe.org region. E-environment

For the implementation of WTDC-02 Recommendation 7 BDT/PSF/E-STR WTDC-02 Recommendation 7 (Role of telecommunications and information technologies in the protection of the environment) ITU plays an http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e-strategies/ important role in the promotion of activities aimed at reducing the environmental effects of telecommunications ITU GeSI website: and ICTs, working with industry partners within the http://www.itu.int/ITU- framework of the Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI). D/projects/environment/GeSI.html A regional seminar for the Arab Region was organized in October 2004 to address issues related to the role of ICTs GeSI website: in the protection of man and the environment. As one of http://www.gesi.org the supporting UN organizations in GeSI, a workshop was organized with the participation of telecommunication operators and manufacturers to address the impact of telecommunications and ICTs on climate change. ITU is also participating in the work of the UN Environmental Management Group to coordinate UN-wide activities in this domain. The ITU also participates, in association with UNITAR and ITU EISI website: the Observatory for the Sahel and the Sahara (OSS), in the http://www.itu.int/ITU- Programme for an Information System on Desertification D/projects/environment/unitar.html (ISD) – Environmental Information Circulation and EISI website: Monitoring System on the Internet (EISI) in Africa. The http://www.unitar.org/sidsisei/ programme (aiming to: develop information heritage relating to the environment, improving access to and exchange of environmental information, creating synergies and coordinating environmental operators) is now in its second phase of implementation. In implementing WTDC02 Recommendation 7, ITU as a BDT/PSF/E-STR ITU GeSI website: one of the supporting organizations in the Global e- http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ Sustainability Initiative (GeSI), is working with industry http://www.itu.int/ITU- partners to address the environmental impact of D/projects/environment/GeSI.html telecommunications and ICTs. E-waste: while the GeSI website: telecommunications industry tends to be relatively clean, http://www.gesi.org like many other industries, it consumes vast amounts of energy, generates waste and affects the physical environment in various ways. Responding to this challenge, GeSI encourages corporate environmental monitoring and the sharing of best practices such as reducing and recycling of waste, saving energy and developing products "designed for the environment." E-agriculture

Under IsAP Programme 3 dealing with E-strategies and BDT/PSF/E-STR http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e-strategy/ e-services/applications, the ITU has implemented solutions to promote self-sustainable e-agriculture by E-agriculture project Kyrgyzstan: assisting developing countries in the implementation: an E- http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e-strategy/e- agriculture project in the Tokmok-Tchuyski region applications/Kyrgyz/index.html (Madaniyat village) of Kyrgyzstan is now operational and was demonstrated during WSIS. E-science

The ITU has not yet developed initiatives in e-science but BDT/PSF/E-STR has showed the intention to take initiatives in this field. Under programme 3 of the Istanbul Action Plan (WTDC- 02), dealing with E-strategies and e- services/applications, the ITU will promote self- sustainable e-science by assisting developing countries in the implementation.

E-science and technological research are key drivers for both social and technological development according to the contributions of Romania, Spain, CERN, UNESCO, ICSU (with TWAS, ICTP) to the WSIS preparatory phase. C8. Cultural diversity and identity, linguistic diversity and local content

The ITU addresses the special needs of indigenous people BDT/PSF/E-STR by having launched, at the WTDC in Istanbul, a special BDT/DIR/YAG initiative (as part of the Istanbul Action Plan) aimed at creating among indigenous people awareness of the benefits of telecommunications. In light of the WTDC 02 decision to promote the participation of indigenous people in e-strategies and e- services/applications, the BDT Youth Programme in collaboration with the Africa and E strategy Units have launched a project to develop a software in the Swahili language.

ITU published “Trends in Telecommunication Reform- BDT/PSF/RRU ITU publication “Trends in Telecommunication practical tools for regulators 2003” which focuses on Reform - practical tools for regulators 2003, 5th edition” need for rural telecentres to provide content of relevance to http://www.itu.int/publications/docs/trends2003.html local community and the need of local participation in telecentre projects. C9. Media 24 e)

The ITU’s Special Initiative on Gender Issues works BDT/DIR/YAG http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/gender/ through print and digital media to promote balanced representations of women and their realities.

C10. Ethical dimensions of the Information Society

C11. International and regional cooperation 26a) 26b) 26c)

Global Project: Strengthening African Capacity for Cost- BDT/PSF/E-STR E-strategy unit: Effective Access to the Internet. The project will contribute http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e-strategy towards the building of strong Internet infrastructure backbone in Africa. The overall aim is to provide affordable Internet access and connectivity through the implementation of national and regional Internet exchange points. Overall, the project will benefit all the regions of the developing world. While Africa’s improved Internet connectivity will be the main focus, other regions will benefit in the process by drawing lessons from the African situation for further improving their own connectivity. Project sites are: Africa (Sub-Saharan); Asia (China, India, Malaysia, Singapore); South America (Brazil, Chile, Mexico); and Arab States (United Arab Emirates, Egypt) The Special Initiative on Gender Issues is working in BDT/DIR/YAG http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/gender/ cooperation with other inter governmental bodies and United Nations agencies to promote the access to, and use of, telecommunications in times of disasters and during peace times. The ITU contributes to closer international cooperation BDT/PSF/RRU among all the various actors by launching the Global Digital Compact, a new pattern for partnership and interaction between governments and NGOs, in which governments create a stimulating regulatory environment. This is a model that could start from the institutional relationships already existing in ITU, with ITU as a coordinator. Currently the model is further elaborated by the ITU. ITU-D also facilitates closer and stronger international BDT/PSF/PPM http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/partners cooperation through the newly created Regional Working Parties( RWP) on private sector issues which gather both public and private sector representatives on issues and obstacles that prevent faster and broader ICT development. The RWPs are also encouraged to focus on some strategic Regional/sub-regional ICT projects which could have a significant impact on the populations they serve. In addition to residential fora in the regions, ITU has organized electronic discussion forum to facilitate and increase the participation of various market players in what it is considered a permanent dialogue with multi- stakeholders. An international, multi-stakeholder “Partnership on BDT/PSF/MEF http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/partnership/index.html Measuring ICT for Development” was launched in June 2004. Partners include the ITU, the OECD, UNCTAD, UNESCO Institute for Statistics, the UN Regional Commissions (UNECLAC, UNESCWA, UNESCAP, UNECA), the UN ICT Task Force and the World Bank as well as NSOs from advanced countries. The Partnership aims to accommodate and develop further the different initiatives regarding the availability and measurement of ICT indicators at the regional and international levels. IsAP Programme 6: Programme for the Least BDT/FOP/LDC http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ldc Developed Countries:  Initiated the programme on deployment of Emergency Telecommunications to developing countries struck by disasters  Enhancing affordable Internet Connectivity for least developed and developing countries drawing lessons of other regions in the Southern hemisphere  Global E-Learning Initiative with Inmarsat  Sector Reform Project for Countries in Special Need

D. Digital Solidarity Agenda 27.D2.a) 27.D2.f)

In the framework of the initiative for financing BDT/PSF/MEF http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/finance/work-cost- telecommunication development, the Report "Investing in tariffs/publications/ Telecommunications and ICTs in Developing Markets: Shifting the Paradigm", was prepared by ITU. This report is based on economic analysis, highlighting opportunities offered by ICT services in low income economies and identifies relevant support projects in developing countries. It is aimed at the public and private sector and equity investors, and focuses on: - the social and economic environment and the limits it imposes; - trends of market potential; - investment climate; - risk factors and how to limit them; - real profit opportunities and business models and methods of attracting private investments. The ITU publication, Trends in Telecommunication BDT/PSF/RRU ITU publication “Trends in Telecommunication Reform - practical tools for regulators 2003: promoting Reform - practical tools for regulators 2003, 5th edition” Universal Access to ICTs, Practical Tools for Regulators, http://www.itu.int/publications/docs/trends2003.html explores universal access market opportunities and sustainable development projects that receive jump-start financing from universal service funds. ITU Programme 4 of the Istanbul Action Plan (WTDC-02), BDT/PSF/MEF Programme 4 of IsAP: Economics and Finance including Costs and Tariffs, http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/WTDC- assists developing countries to prepare themselves in a 02FinalReport/Section2/Prog4.pdf competitive environment where the focus has shifted from state funding of infrastructure and services to private sector investment, developing guidelines on economic analysis, financing policies and strategies that encourage lower costs for end-users. Pricing of telecommunication services based on IP BDT/PSF/MEF http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/finance/work-cost- networks: the objective of this ITU study is to illustrate to tariffs/publications/ip-finalreport-en.pdf regulators, operators and service providers an economic model indicating how to create profits using IP-based networks as a vehicle for real time telecommunication services.

E. Follow-up and Evaluation 28a) 28b) 28c) 28d) 28e) 28f) ITU launched a composite ICT BDT/PSF/MEF World Telecommunication Development Report 2003: Access Indicators for the Development index known as the Information Society Digital Access Index (DAI), in the 2003 http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/publications/wtdr_03/index.html edition of the World Telecommunication Development Report (WTDR) (focusing on measurement of the information society) which was published in December 2003 in time for the WSIS Statistical Side Event. The Internet Case Studies and regional BDT/PSF/MEF Online at: http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/cs/ and global development reports have proposed recommendations, offered best practice examples, et cetera. The case studies provide an analysis of modern day issues in telecommunications/ICT — and how they have been addressed in individual countries. The goals are to raise awareness among government officials, regulators and industry players in developing countries and to provide policy-makers and other players with in- depth substantive information. Since 2002, ITU has been compiling and BDT/PSF/MEF http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/cs/letters/letters.html publishing ICT success stories, which highlight the successful application of ICTs in different sectors of the economy and society, and in narrowing gender disparities. The ITU has been closely working with BDT/PSF/MEF Millennium Development Goals: the United Nations and other http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/ organizations on the development of appropriate indicators in relation to MDGs statistics: tracking the Millennium Development http://millenniumindicators.un.org/unsd/mi/mi_goals.asp Goals (MDGs). Specifically, within Goal 8, “Develop a global partnership for Telephone lines and cellular subscribers per 100 population development”, the ITU is lead agency for http://millenniumindicators.un.org/unsd/mi/mi_indicator_xrxx.asp?ind_code=47 Target 18 “In cooperation with the private sector, make available the Personal computers in use per 100 population (ITU) and Internet users per 100 benefits of new technologies, especially population information and communications.” The http://millenniumindicators.un.org/unsd/mi/mi_indicator_xrxx.asp?ind_code=48 ITU compiles and provides the three indicators used to track Target 18 and contributes to the UN Secretary-General’s annual report on the MDGs. The eight edition of ITU’s World BDT/PSF/MEF http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/publications/world/world.html Telecommunication Indicators (WTI) database was released on the 19th of October 2004. The database contains time series data for the years 1960, 1965, 1970 and annually from 1975-2003 for around 80 sets of telecommunication statistics covering telephone network size and dimension, mobile services, quality of service, traffic, staff, tariffs, revenue and investment. Selected demographic, macro-economic, broadcasting and information technology statistics are also included. Data for over 200 economies are available. Notes explaining data exceptions are also included. ITU’s Yearbook of Statistics (1993- BDT/PSF/MEF http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/publications/yb/index.html 2002) contains the statistical data that have been collected and processed by the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) from replies received to ITU questionnaires sent to telecommunication ministries, regulators and operating companies. As such, the ITU statistical yearbook provides the most authoritative source of data about the evolution of the public telecommunications sector available anywhere. Country tables highlighting ten-year of data are available in the30th edition that was recently released. A statistical workshop, Monitoring the BDT/PSF/MEF Monitoring the information society: Information Society: Data, http://www.unece.org/stats/documents/2003.12.wsis.htm Measurement and Methods (Geneva, 8- 9 December 2003) was organized by ITU Global Indicators workshop on community access to ICTs: and UNECE, UNCTAD, UNESCO Inst. http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/mexico04/index.html of Statistics, OECD and Eurostat in conjunction with the WSIS. Other ITU conferences related to statistics: http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/conferences/ ITU and the Mexican Ministry of Transport and Communications jointly organized the Global Indicators workshop on community access to ICTs, which took place in Mexico City, 16 to 19 November 2004.

The Regional Workshop on ICT Indicators in Gaborone, Botswana from http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/botswana04/index.html 26 to 29 October 2004. The workshop was hosted by Botswana Telecommunications Authority (BTA) and was organized jointly by BDT as part of its regional telecommunication/ICT statistical capacity building exercise and by the UN Economic Commissions for Africa (UNECA) as one of the key activities highlighted in the Partnership for Measuring ICT for Development. The workshop highlighted discussions on core set of telecom/ICT indicators to collect; data collection, storage and dissemination methodologies; and identified barriers to data collection and dissemination. ITU has published two regional reports: BDT/PSF/MEF http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/publications/asia/2004/index.html Asia-Pacific Telecommunication Indicators 2004; http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/publications/africa/2004/index.html African Telecommunication Indicators 2004. The regional reports highlight the overview of the region’s telecommunication sector and look at regulatory and policy developments. They also contain statistical tables for year 2003 covering areas such as fixed telephone, mobile, Internet and broadcasting data.

Under the umbrella of the "Partnership BDT/PSF/MEF http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/partnership/index.html on Measuring ICT for Development", the ITU together with partner agencies will http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/conferences/ organize a global meeting in Geneva on February 7-9, 2005. The main goal of the meeting is to consolidate the outcomes of regional workshops on information society indicators that were held in the 4th quarter of 2004, and agree on a final list of core ICT indicators to be collected by all countries, including on basic access and usage by households and individuals, businesses and schools. It will also discuss developing country technical assistance needs as regards the compilation of ICT indicators, identify ICT indicators relevant to achieving the MDGs, and present ongoing work concerning the creation and maintenance of an international database on ICT indicators. The outcome of the meeting will provide concrete suggestions on how to measure information society developments, as an input to the second phase of WSIS and its follow-up. The World Telecommunication Indicators meeting (WTIM) will also be held on February 10-11, 2005 and will specifically discuss ITU’s data collection and dissemination activities. As a follow-up to the Macroeconomic BDT/PSF/MEF Study, ITU is in the process of having five low teledensity country case studies on financing telecommunication development prepared: (Bolivia, Cameroon, Viet Nam, Albania and Chad), for the purpose of identifying and evaluating real needs, proposing projects or initiatives, and identifying conditions for creating partnerships with interested organizations. The participation of different players, such as the private sector, equity investors, financial institutions, national and multinational organizations, regulators, operators and service providers is being encouraged according to countries’ expectations and the establishment of mutual commitments ITU maintains a “ICT - Free Statistics BDT/PSF/MEF http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/statistics/ home page”. Indicators for monitoring performance BDT/PSF/MEF Information sharing website: are an on-going part of the work. http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/bdtint/information_sharing.html A number of ITU/BDT/MEF studies BDT/PSF/MEF and reports have proposed targets and benchmarks for ICT over the years in line with those mentioned in the WSIS draft Action Plan. A “handbook on good practices and BDT/PSF/RRU http://forum.itu.int/~grex (password only) success stories”: the Global Regulators Exchange (G-REX), a password- protected website for national regulatory authorities and policy makers, has been very successful in facilitating an exchange of best regulatory practices through its hotline and online conferences. Regulators and policy makers have shared information on their challenges and success stories. G-REX conferences to be launched this year aim to identify best practices in addressing specific regulatory challenges. The ITU’s Special Initiative on Gender BDT/DIR/YAG http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/gender/ Issues is collaborating with ORBICOM to develop appropriate indicators that will enable a more complete understanding of the digital divide. Data, disaggregated according to sex will also be collected, analysed and updated as appropriate.

F. Towards WSIS phase 2 (Tunis) 29a) 29b) 29a) 29b) Data collected in the annual regulatory BDT/PSF/ Annual regulatory survey: survey could assist in the assessment of http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/treg/Events/Survey/survey.asp universal accessibility to ICTs. RRU IsaP Programme 6: Programme for the Least Developed BDT/FOP/LDC Countries being targeted at assisting as many countries as http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ldc/priority_areas possible within the shortest possible time but with measured impact, intends to cover 12 more countries in 2005 that will benefit from five main priority areas as defined by the http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ldc Istanbul Action Plan Programme 6:  Development of rural telecommunications  Development of infrastructure and introduction of new technologies and services  Sector restructuring  Human resources development/management  Financing and Partnership Building The target will be to build successes towards the attainment of the targets set by the Geneva phase of the WSIS and be able to effectively carry out an impact assessment by WSIS phase 2. Also, the objective is to have the majority of the LDCs to achieve the goals set by the Brussels Plan of Action adopted by the Third United Nations Conference for the LDCs that stipulate that: This group of countries should target to increase their average telephone density to 5 main lines per 100 inhabitants and the number of Internet connections to 10 users per 100 inhabitants by 2010. The ITU’s Special Initiative on Gender Issues will publish BDT/DIR/YAG http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/gender/ and make available the findings and analysis of sex- disaggregated data on access to, and use of, ICTs.

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