• Worldwide initiatives on the occasion of WTISD 2010
   
• Circular Letter from ITU Secretary-General
  
  
  

The global event was showcased at World Expo 2010 in Shanghai and was marked by a high-profile ceremony to present the World Telecommunication and Information Society Award to eminent personalities who have contributed to using ICTs in providing a better life in cities. Forums were organized 15-18 May in Ningbo and Shanghai, China on issues related to ICTs and Urban Development. The WSIS Forum aimed at reviewing the implementation of the Summit objectives was held in Geneva, 10-14 May 2010.

In order to address issues related to a better life in cities, ITU calls upon Member States to:
 

• Promote sustainable urban policies with ICTs at the national level.
  
  Call for action: ITU Member States and Sector Members are encouraged to actively participate in ITU events to enhance policies that will promote smart cities of the future, increase investment and capital flows in support of such policies, and provide experts and resources in order to share experiences and best practices for mainstreaming sustainable urban policies.
  
   
• Support ongoing work aimed at developing standards that will help facilitate Smart Cities, such as intelligent transport systems and improved traffic control and efficiency aimed at reducing carbon emissions, smart grids, and energy-efficient buildings. In addition, support ITU’s activity in UN Habitat’s World Urban Campaign.
  
  Call for action: ITU Member States and Sector Members are encouraged to establish global standards on intelligent traffic systems (ITS), participate in ITU activities by hosting events, identifying thought leaders in the area and offering expertise in support of ongoing work.
  
   
• Support ongoing work on the use of ICTs for Emergency Communications in Public Protection.
  
  Call for action: Invite Member States to promote ITU’s work with information to develop the ITU international database and themes of frequency use for Emergency Communications (WRC-07 Resolution 647).
  
   
• Identify priority areas to utilize ICTs to achieve equitable sustainable urban development for the benefit of the millions who lack adequate shelter and basic services in urban areas.
  
  Call for action: ITU Member States and Sector Members are encouraged to partner with ITU, share experiences and contribute experts and resources to develop practical tools to establish a framework plan of action.
  
   
• Connect all institutions, in particular schools, in urban areas. Schools are community hubs, a place of learning and accessibility. By connecting schools we connect youth as well as others in the community to knowledge and information, leading to employment and social and economic development. Connected schools can serve as a point of service for underserved groups in the community, including women, persons with disabilities and aboriginal peoples.
  
  Call for action: ITU Member States, Sector Members and partners are urged to help connect all schools by 2015:

• Make connecting schools a priority or formal requirement in the disbursement of Universal Service Funds.
• Include school connectivity requirements directly in Universal Service Obligations.
• Allocate radio-frequency spectrum for school connectivity and reduce or eliminate spectrum fees for schools.
• Include school connectivity a condition to obtain operator licenses to ensure that a given percentage of schools are connected by a specific date.
• Provide incentives for operators to connect schools and to offer special tariffs for schools, such as reduced Universal Service Funds, contribution levies and tax breaks.