WSIS FORUM 2010


FINAL EXECUTIVE BRIEFING

DRAFT
(VERSION 1.1)

This document serves as a draft version 1.1 of the Final Executive Briefing on WSIS Forum 2010. Additions to this report will be made as and when submissions are received from session organizers and focal points.

Table of Contents

Content will be available soon.

Measuring the Information Society was one of the key outcomes of the WSIS^*. The year 2010 marks the midpoint between the Tunis phase of the WSIS and 2015, the deadline for achieving the WSIS targets, in line with the target date of the MDGs. It is therefore critical to review progress made on the ten WSIS targets, based on measurable indicators. So far, no international monitoring mechanism has been established that allows countries to track progress on the targets. The Partnership on Measuring ICT for Development has developed a core list of ICT indicators that are increasingly collected at the national and international level, but the WSIS targets are broad and go beyond these indicators.

The WSIS Forum session on "Measuring the WSIS targets", which was organized by the Partnership, presented the findings of the ITU's World Telecommunication/ICT Development Report 2010 and was attended by more than 80 participants from national, regional and international organizations and from civil society. The report represents the first effort to monitor the WSIS Targets and has been prepared as a collaborative effort with other UN agencies and WSIS stakeholders. The report identifies a set of measurable indicators for each WSIS target and reviews the status of the targets based on available data.

The available evidence points to considerable differences between developed and developing countries in each of the targets, with developing countries still lagging behind for most of the indicators identified. Good progress has been made since WSIS on improving connectivity via mobile technologies, TV and radio coverage, Internet access in central governments, research institutions; schools, hospitals, libraries, museums in major cities of developing countries. Substantial challenges remain, however. For example, 80% of people in developing countries are still not using the Internet, let alone via a broadband connection, and most households, schools, health centers and other public institutions outside urban areas are still not connected. Language diversity on the Internet is also still very limited and the report highlights not only the persisting broadband divide, but also a content divide, which policy makers need to address.

The presentations made by representatives of the organizations that collaborated on the report (namely, ITU, UNESCO/UIS, WHO, UNDESA, and FUNREDES) explained the rationale and background for each target, listed the proposed indicators that could be used to monitor countries' progress towards achieving the targets, and highlighted some conclusions and policy recommendations. ECLAC's work on monitoring Information Society goals in Latin America, closely related to the WSIS targets, was also presented.

• ^* The WSIS Plan of Action and Tunis Agenda highlighted the importance of benchmarking and measuring progress towards the information society using indicators and statistics that are comparable at the international level.

The Session "Sustainability of the WSIS Implementation through Stocktaking Process" was successfully held on Tuesday 11 May 2010 during WSIS Forum 2010. The Session was started with the welcome remarks of Jaroslaw Ponder, Strategy and Policy Advisor, International Telecommunication Union (ITU) following with presentation "WSIS Implementation through Stocktaking Process". The Format of Session was structured by state-of-practices, case studies presented by different categories of stakeholders : governments, international organizations and civil society from diverse regions of the world in carrying out practical ICT impact assessments.

The first case study was devoted to Egypt, presented by Hoda Baraka, First Deputy to minister of MCIT, Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Egypt .The presentation was focused on ICT4development. The second case study was presented by Bohyun Seo, Executive Director from Korea Information Society Development Institute (KISDI) with presentation "Korea's Efforts for WSIS Action Lines." The next case study was presented by Linda Orr-Easo, Global Network Manager from CERN focusing on Social Networking with the new launched project "CERN Global Network".

The diversity of stakeholders demonstrated the inclusiveness of Stocktaking Process. It is open for all categories of stakeholders. The outcomes of this Session was to leverage the activities implemented at the national level in different countries and in addition to leverage the efforts of international organizations towards 2015. Social Networking becomes very important element of daily life for every citizen globally. The WSIS Stocktaking Process including two main directions: WSIS Stocktaking Platform and Regular WSIS Stocktaking Reports recognize and appreciate the value of the efforts invested in WSIS Implementation by stakeholders. The case studies could serve as the guidelines for other stakeholders to join WSIS Stocktaking Process in order to showcase the achievements completed at the national level. The majority of participants during Session discussed and agreed that WSIS Stocktaking Process should be focused not just on the collecting information but also on the analytical aspects and case studies development in order to give more visibility to countries and other stakeholders in the project implementation. According to the outcomes of this Session, WSIS Stocktaking Process will continue to collect and provide the information, to select the best practices, to develop case studies and to improve the social networking tools.

Tunis Agenda on for the Information Society, more precisely its Para 101 proposed implementation mechanism at the regional level, as follows: Upon request from governments, regional intergovernmental organizations in collaboration with other stakeholders should carry out WSIS implementation activities, exchanging information and best practices at the regional level, as well as facilitating policy debate on the use of ICT for development, with a focus on attaining the internationally agreed development goals and objectives, including the Millennium Development Goals. UN Regional Commissions, based on request of Member States and within approved budgetary resources, may organize regional WSIS follow-up activities in collaboration with regional and sub-regional organizations, with appropriate frequency, as well as assisting Member States with technical and relevant information for the development of regional strategies and the implementation of the outcomes of regional conferences.
The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the follow-up on the implementation of the WSIS outcomes at the regional level. Session will include the contributions of the representatives of the UN Regional Commissions, followed by a general discussion.

This session presented initial results of a collaborative project carried out by ITU and UNU aimed at developing an impact assessment framework of ICT for development initiatives. A conceptual framework that is being developed to guide program managers and countries in improving the design of their ICT for Development (ICT4D) portfolios for higher impact potential on the development goals like the MDGs was presented. The session also addressed how to increase the impact of the WSIS process on the MDGs process by connecting initiatives across the WSIS Action Lines with ICT-enabled outcomes related to MDGs.

The session was structured into four parts:

A joint presentation was made by Mr Tomasz Janowski from UNU and Mr Jaroslaw Ponder from ITU on the aim, objectives, methodology, initial results achieved and the remaining work on the project. They explained that the project had four main objectives: (i) to investigate the impact of WSIS Action Lines on the MDGs process, (ii) to establish the actual needs of practitioners, member states and international organizations in effectively assessing the impact of their ICT4D initiatives (WSIS Action Line projects) on MDGs, (iii) to provide an annotated repository of resources (frameworks, toolkits, etc.) to guide practitioners on the use of existing ICT Impact Assessment models, frameworks and measurement systems, and (iv) to develop a system for monitoring the impact WSIS process on the MDGs process, integrated with the WSIS Stocktaking platform.

Mr Adegboyega Ojo, Research Fellow at UNU-IIST and Senior Lecturer, Department of Computer Sciences, University of Lagos, Nigeria presented an overview of the foundational aspects of ICT impact assessment grounded in development theories and social impact assessment models.

Mr Patrick Kalas from the Swiss Development Cooperation touched upon the difficulties faced while assessing the impact of ICTs for Development. He shared his experiences in the area of data collection and assessment of ICT for development projects.

Ms Gitanjali Sah provided examples of state-of-practice case studies from around the world in carrying out practical ICT impact assessments, including examples of projects on ground that draw a clear link and relation between the WSIS Action Lines and the MDGs.

Following the last speaker, the floor was opened for discussion, the participants commended the objectives of the project and echoed that since it is half way towards achieving the MDGs and WSIS Goals by 2015, such a project is the need of the hour. All participants present endorsed the project activities. They also highlighted the difficulties in assessing ICT4D projects, particularly in the area of qualitative measurements. Members present offered full support and collaboration for the project..

The financing of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) for development is an important area to address in the context of promoting a more inclusive global information society. Wider diffusion and better use of ICTs can help achieve the goals outlined in the Millennium Declaration in a more effective manner. In April 2006, UNGIS (United Nations Group on the Information Society) was endorsed by the UN-Chief Executives Board (CEB) as the new inter-agency mechanism with the main objective to coordinate substantive and policy issues facing the United Nations' implementation of the outcomes of the WSIS. This session provided an update of the activities of the UNGIS and provided a platform for discussion and debate on issues concerning Financial Mechanisms for ICTD.

The WSIS Tunis Agenda for the Information Society (November 2005) recognizes the scale of the challenge in bridging the digital divide, which will require adequate and sustainable investments in ICT infrastructure and services, and capacity building, and transfer of technology over many years to come. There is a continuous need to evaluate how existing as well as new financial mechanisms can support greater access and use of ICTs in developing countries. Following a recommendation by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), UNGIS organized Open Consultations on Financial Mechanisms for Meeting the Challenges of ICT for Development that took place from 8-9 October 2009 in Geneva, Switzerland. Conclusions of the Chaimen's report on the Open Consultations on Finanacial Mechanisms were shared during this session. The objective of this session was to further build upon the results of the Consultations.

The session profited from five contributions by representatives of ITU, UNESCO, UNCTAD UNECA, and a key note by H.E. Mr Sardar Muhammad L. Khan Khosa, Minister of Information Technology, Pakistan.


UNGIS secretariat provided an overview of main conclusions from the Open Consultations on Financing Mechanisms for ICT4D:

• The financing of ICT for development remains a significant challenge.

• Presentations throughout the consultations emphasized the importance of continuously exploring new financing mechanisms, and to leverage the various types of competence of different stakeholders.

• The role of multi-stakeholder partnerships was underlined by many. Similarly, there was a need to draw on large-scale international financing sources (such as foreign direct investment or multilateral lending) as well as small-scale microfinance solutions. Each form of financial mechanism has its benefits and disadvantages, and may serve more or less well in different situations according to the context of the region.

• Very positive developments with regard to financing infrastructure and access, especially with regard to mobile telecommunications.

• Areas in need of particular attention include the development of local content and applications, as well as raising sufficient resources to build the required capacity in developing countries.

• Liberalization and opening up to competition has been important to generate private sector involvement, and to foster innovative business models, as well as financing solutions.

• Rural and remote areas still lag in terms of connectivity – especially with regard to Internet and broadband. It is not always possible to find sustainable business models for the investments needed, what remains as one of the challenges.

• More open markets underlines the importance of developing the capacity of regulatory and other public authorities to monitor and regulate the markets.

• The importance of infrastructure sharing was underlined by many speakers as a way to reduce the costs involved in rolling out infrastructure.

• Controversies over the Universal Access Funds remain: Some highlight the important experiences enabling communication services in rural and/or isolated regions, others question their effectiveness. Again, financial resources need to be supplemented by human resources (capacity development).

• An important question on UAFs is whether such funds should also address mobile, Internet and even broadband access as a priority.

• Even though microfinancing remains an important financial mechanism, taking into account high innovation dynamics in ICTs it is confronted with new challenges and opportunities in areas such as agriculture, education, jobs, transportation and health.

• Long term investments and high risk projects were considered as major challenges regarding financing mechanisms for development. Investors normally seek low risks projects and investments, especially in rural and remote areas.

• The projects' sustainability remains still a challenge for financing the ICT for development. In this context it is important to involve local users, local content experts and building applications that work on existing infrastructure to ensure access and relevance for those most in need.

• Although the financial crisis can be perceived as having negative impacts in the context of the financial mechanisms for development, it can also be seen as an opportunity to provide structural changes in the economy as well as the emergence of disruptive technologies.

• Debate on the financial mechanisms needs also to take into account new emerging issues relevant for the developing countries. As an example may be used recycling.

In follow up to the open consultations the UNGIS Secretariat has carried out several activities including:

• Global repository of electronic documents related to the ongoing debate on the financial mechanisms for meeting challenges of ICT for development has been created and launched on the UNGIS website.

• Building upon the outcomes of the meeting, UNGIS secretariat has contributed to several meetings, including Inter-sessional Panel meeting of the CSTD (November 2009), ICT4All Forum (November 2009), WSIS Forum 2010 (May 2010), etc.

• The UNGIS has prepared Chairs' Report forwarded as contribution to the ECOSOC process, responding to its Resolution 2008/3. UNGIS is also considers the possibility of holding a parallel event during future ECOSOC meetings, drawing attention to the meaning and importance of debate on the mechanisms in the context of global development agenda of UN.

• High Level Segment of the Sixth meeting of UNGIS agreed to Ensure effective interagency follow-up to UNGIS' Open Consultation on Financial Mechanisms. It will include analysis of different types of financing mechanisms and sharing innovative ideas and country experiences, including through an UNGIS publication to be released in 2010/2011.

In his key note speech Mr Sardar Muhammad L. Khan Khosa, Minister of Information Technology, Pakistan, drew attention to the recent developments related to the ICT sector development in Pakistan. He highlighted the challenges related to the roll out of the broadband infrastructure and services that may be provided over high capacity networks. Pakistan is working extensively on infrastructure project development facilities also establishing several developing technology parks driving innovation in ICT sector. Regarding the public funds there are two funds in Pakistan, a) Universal Access Fund focuses on expansion of broadband connectivity, mainly in rural areas, b) ICT Research and Development Fund is used for human capacity development, including setting up the universities, training teachers, establishing laboratories, granting scholarships etc.

All participants present appreciated the efforts made by the UNGIS and agreed upon the need and the urgency for the continuation of the UNGIS efforts towards addressing the Part B of the Tunis Agenda. It was underlined that UNGIS is the only stakeholder that has made concerted efforts towards the conceptualization of a framework for Financial Mechanisms for ICT4D focused events and activities. The presentations were followed by an engaging discussion on the different models of financing for sustainable projects. It was highlighted that in the area of ICTs, infrastructure is not the only thing where financing is needed. Content, regulatory frameworks and social set ups have an equally important role to play. Different ways of financing and the difficulties in fund raising were also discussed. National mechanisms, usually Universal Access Funds still require much more focus. There is a lot of positive developments in this area that need to be captured. Unbundling and infrastructure sharing becomes more and more popular. Countries need to learn from the best practices in order to advance in achievement of the connectivity goals. National e-strategies for development play an important role, however it is necessary to make sure that they emphasize on poverty reduction through effective and efficient use of the ICTs.

Participants offered full support and commitment to the UNGIS to work towards an equitable and just information society.

The panel was held as an interactive session, representing all stakeholder groups. It informed about the preparations for fifth annual meeting of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), which will take place in Vilnius, Lithuania, on 14-17 September 2010. The session took place against the backdrop of the discussions on the possible renewal of the original five year mandate by the General Assembly of the United Nations at the end of 2010. The panel presented different perspectives on the value of the IGF and on how it could be improved.

The meeting was told that preparatory process for this year's annual IGF meeting in Vilnius was well underway. The programme builds on those of the previous years, with some improvements. There will be more open dialogue sessions and better linkages between workshops and main sessions. Also, there will be a space for regional and national IGF meetings to report back to the meeting. This year, a new theme will be introduced: Internet governance for development. This session will, among other things, explore how Internet governance relates to development, in particular the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Furthermore, the traditional taking stock session will look at the broad Internet governance landscape and examine what has changed since the first IGF meeting in Athens in 2006.

In a first round, panellists discussed the value they or their respective stakeholder group saw in the IGF, whether it had proved useful or whether it had an impact.

Ms. Baraka praised the IGF meeting in Sharm El Sheikh for its success in attracting a great number of participants from all stakeholder groups. She noted that the IGF had a positive impact that helped promote policy dialogue at many levels. Ms. Baraka stressed the importance of regional IGFs for those who cannot attend the global meeting. She also mentioned as one important achievement the approval of the Internationalized Domain Name country-code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD) for Egypt in Arabic script (.masr). When asked whether the IGF process had influenced this development, Ms. Baraka said that in her personal opinion the IGF had helped accelerate the process.

Ms. Yang presented the ITU and its leading role in ICTs as a truly global organization with governments and the private sector among its membership, working to promote cooperation at the global level. She recalled that WSIS was the starting point of the IGF and also at the origins of the multistakeholder approach and she highlighted the importance of the Tunis Agenda and the commitments contained therein.

Ms. Nimpuno gave a technical community perspective. She recalled that there had been some scepticism towards the IGF at the beginning. As the IGF evolved, more people started to see value in the process and in the networking opportunities during the event.

From the civil society point of view, Ms. Rodriguez welcomed the openness of the IGF, which allowed a collaborative approach to its agenda setting. This was a unique opportunity for groups representing the interests of the civil society. Ms. Rodriguez also agreed on the value of the IGF for networking and reaching out in one single place to those who would like to put their messages forward, making efficient use of the limited resources of civil society groups.

Mr. Siganga, as a private sector representative, recalled that, before the IGF, business was a "consumer of policy", that is of policy made by the governments. The IGF, in this sense, was a milestone for opening the doors to participation in policy making. Mr. Siganga also presented the East Africa IGF which was now in its third year and was connecting the five countries of the region through the exchange of information and the sharing of best practices.

In a second round, panellists discussed how the IGF could be improved. Several suggestions were made, with an emphasis on increasing efforts in capacity building, developing country participation and improving the links with national and regional meetings. Ms. Barak emphasized the importance of national and regional IGF type meetings and said more efforts should be made to link them to the annual global event. This was also echoed by other panellists as well as in the interaction with the floor.

In Ms. Yang's analysis, there was room to increase inclusiveness, effectiveness, democracy and transparency of the IGF and its interface with IGOs and institutions on matters under their purview.

Both Ms. Nimpuno and Mr. Siganga spoke out in favour of a further evolution of the IGF while keeping its basic principles of inclusiveness and multistakeholder participation on an equal footing.

One speaker from the floor described the IGF as a unique experiment. The multistakeholder format in his view had proved necessary for some discussions to reframe common issues from a confrontational to a collaborative perspective.