Report by the Chairman

The ITU Regional Preparatory Meeting for Africa (RPM-AFR) was organized by the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Kampala, Uganda, from 13-15 July 2009, at the kind invitation of the Government of Uganda.

The objective of the RPM-AFR was to identify priorities, at the regional level, for the development of telecommunications and information and communication technologies (ICTs), taking into account contributions made by Member States and Sector Members from the region. The Meeting arrived at a set of proposals on the priority issues for the region which would serve as a basis for the formulation of contributions to the World Telecommunication Development Conference to be held in 2010 (WTDC-10) which will determine the future of BDT’s activities over the next four-year period.

This report gives an account of the work and results of the meeting.

The meeting was attended by 130 participants representing 31 countries, 5 operating agencies, scientific/industrial organizations and other entities dealing with telecommunications, 3 regional and international organizations and 1 other observer. The list of participants can be found here.
 

3. Meeting of Heads of Delegations

Following ITU’s long standing practice, the meeting of Heads of Delegations recommended that the host country Uganda nominate the Chairman of the RPM. Burkina Faso, Burundi, and South Africa were recommended as Vice-Chairmen.

The Heads of Delegations endorsed the proposed agenda and the time management plan.
 

The Chairman of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Eng. Dr A.M.S. Katahoire welcomed the participants to the RPM and stressed the importance of the meeting for the sharing of direct experiences on critical issues facing the ICT sector. He emphasized that all stakeholders in the region have a role to play in fostering development and encouraging growth in the ICT sector.

The Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT), Mr Sami Al Basheer Al Morshid, welcomed all participants to the meeting and thanked the host country for their excellent arrangements. He emphasized the importance of the RPM for bringing to the attention of BDT the issues, priorities and needs of African countries for ICT development. He stated that discussions held here would provide input for WTDC-10 which would shape the future of the ITU Development Sector’s work in Africa. The BDT Director gave his perspective on three main areas where he thought additional focus was necessary: infrastructure development; a policy and regulatory environment conducive to ICT investment; and sustainable human capacity building. He cited examples of ITU’s successful work in these three domains and requested participants to express their views on where BDT should focus its attention during the next four-year period for the region. The full text of his speech is available at here.

In his opening remarks, Mr Houlin Zhao, Deputy Secretary-General, ITU, emphasized that ICTs have the power to change people’s lives and have become the foundation of modern societies providing the opportunity to cross cultural divides, to gain access to vital information, to facilitate health-care and stimulate commerce. He highlighted the impressive growth in the ICT sector in Africa in the last few years and particularly the exceptional growth of mobile. He emphasized some of the activities that ITU has undertaken since the Connect Africa Summit held in Kigali in 2007. Specific activities mentioned included ITU’s efforts in fostering a dialogue on the financial crisis, climate change, emergency communications, and cybersecurity. He mentioned ITU Telecom World to be held in October 2009 in Geneva which will provide a platform for continued dialogue on critical issues currently facing Africa. The full text of his speech is available here.

The Honourable Aggrey S. Awori, Minister of ICT, Uganda, made brief opening remarks emphasizing the importance of ICTs and how Uganda had successfully liberalized the sector. He invited the participants to welcome the 2^nd Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda, the Right Honourable Henry M. Kajura.

In his remarks, the Honourable Henry M. Kajura welcomed participants to Uganda and emphasized that the RPM gave an opportunity to express views on priority areas for ICT development in African countries. He stated this meeting would also report on implementation progress of the Doha Action Plan and ITU’s activities related to the WSIS Plan of Action. He noted Africa has made significant gains in the ICT sector but there remained a number of challenges. Speaking of Uganda’s experience, he emphasized some success stories such as Makerere University’s ICT capacity building initiatives. In the rapidly changing field of ICTs, he emphasized that we must "adapt or die". He then formally opened the Africa Regional Preparatory Meeting.

A short ceremony followed for the signing of a bilateral agreement between one of the beneficiary countries (Burundi) and the Telecommunication Development Bureau of the ITU for a broadband wireless network project in Africa — a follow-up to the 2007 Connect Africa Summit. This bilateral agreement is related to the ITU and the McCaw Foundation project on deployment of wireless broadband networks for rural connectivity within selected African countries. The first phase of this project covers 6 countries. In the second phase, ITU intends to extend the project to additional beneficiary countries. As the first deployment would take place in Burundi, the agreement was signed by the BDT Director and H.E. Mr Philippe Njoni, Minister of Transport, Posts and Telecommunications of Burundi.

A high level panel on the impact of the financial crisis on ICT development in Africa was chaired by Mr Sami Al Basheer Al Morshid, Director of BDT. Participants in the panel included the Honourable Aggrey Siryoryi Awori, Minister of ICT, Uganda; the Honourable Mr Noël Kaboré, Minister of Posts and ICT of Burkina Faso; Dr Jones Killimbe, CEO of RASCOM and Chairman of the African Regional Working Party on Private Sector Issues; Professor John S. Nkoma, Director-General of the Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority; and Dr Tomasz Janowski, Senior Research Fellow from United Nations University (UNU).

The Director of BDT introduced the topic and suggested the panellists focus on two key questions: a) what impact would the financial crisis have on the development of ICTs? and b) how could ICTs mitigate the impact of the financial crisis?

The Honourable Aggrey Siryoryi Awori stated that the financial crisis had not had a major impact but it was clear that foreign investors in Uganda now had difficulties raising capital for local investments and this had in some cases delayed deployments. He also indicated that foreign currency fluctuations had an impact. Generally, he noted that the cost of doing business in the sector had gone up.

The Honourable Mr Noël Kaboré stated that the government of Burkina Faso had examined and undertaken a number of initiatives to respond and stimulate recovery in the sector. This included deployment of an infrastructure project in Burkina Faso including deployment of connectivity with Kigali, Rwanda, and lowering of taxes in the ICT sector.

Dr Jones Killimbe said that we are speaking of a global crisis so all countries in Africa are victims. He cited how the crisis had affected Africa in specific ways including a drop in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and lack of remittances by the African diaspora. He cited several aftershocks including a credit squeeze which had an impact on capital markets; consumer lack of buying power; lack of liquidity in the banking sector; a drop in commodity markets; and a drop in donor funding. He noted that as 60% of investments in ICTs typically come from foreign investors, this has had an impact on the deployment of ICTs, particularly in rural markets.

Professor John S. Nkoma stated that he had not seen a major impact on ICT companies in Tanzania. He emphasized that there was still tremendous opportunity for growth in the sector and mentioned the Seacom fibre optic cable that will soon go live and provide high capacity bandwidth to Africa. He also emphasized the importance of having the right policies and legislation and mentioned Tanzania’s converged licensing framework. He also noted that in a period of financial crisis, infrastructure sharing will become more important.

Dr Tomasz Janowski from UNU gave a presentation on the outcomes of a recent United Nations Conference on the World Financial and Economic Crisis and its Impact on Development held 24-26 June 2009 at UN Headquarters. He outlined negative and positive effects and cited possible actions by national governments and international organizations.

A number of participants in the meeting gave their perspectives on the impact that the financial crisis has had in their national context and panellists provided additional perspectives.

The Director thanked the participants and panellists and emphasized the important role of education and capacity building in the telecommunication/ICT sector. He also mentioned the upcoming ITU TELECOM World, to be held in Geneva in October 2009 and the Global Symposium for Regulators to be held in Lebanon in November 2009. He noted the dialogue on the financial crisis will continue at these forums.

6. Agenda and Time Management Plan

Following the recommendation made by the Heads of Delegations, Mr Patrick Masambu, Executive Director, UCC, Uganda, was nominated as Chairman of the RPM. The nomination was unanimously endorsed by participants.

The Chairman expressed his gratitude for his nomination and his anticipation of a productive meeting.

The draft Agenda (Document 01) was endorsed by the meeting.

The meeting endorsed the Heads of Delegations recommendation that the Vice-Chairmen be Burkina Faso, Burundi, and South Africa.

Mr Brahima Sanou, Head of the ITU Regional Office in Africa was introduced by the Chairman as the Secretary of the meeting.

The documents on Time Management Plan (Document DT01) and Allocation of Documents (Document DT02) were introduced and adopted by the meeting. All meeting documents are available on the meeting’s website.

7. ICT development status in the region: challenges and opportunities

BDT introduced Document 16 entitled Information Society: Statistical Profiles 2009 – Africa that presented an overview of current telecommunication/ICT trends, highlighted ICT and broadband status in Africa, including the rapid growth of mobile, and benchmarked telecommunication/ICT developments in and outside the region. The new ICT Development Index (IDI) was introduced.

Participants were provided with clarification on related issues including whether the indicators on Internet use reflected access from cybercafés. Discussion included the potential linkage of telecommunication infrastructure sharing with sharing of power supplies. Electrification and universal service funding could potentially be joined to facilitate access in rural areas to both telecommunication/ICT and power. Additional discussion included the role that governments needed to play to encourage public-private partnerships in infrastructure development.

The Meeting took note of Document 16 and thanked ITU for its excellent work.

8. Implementation of the Doha Action Plan

The following documents were presented by BDT:

Document 03: The document entitled Report on Implementation of the Doha Action Plan – Programmes, Study Groups, Activities and Initiatives in the Africa Region provided a status report on the implementation of the Doha Action Plan in the Africa region. It included a summary of the various activities undertaken by BDT in implementing WTDC-06 Programmes, Study Groups, Activities and Special Initiatives during the last two and one half years with a particular emphasis on the Africa region.

Document 04: The document entitled Report on implementation of the Doha Action Plan (WSIS implementation) provided an overview of the activities undertaken by BDT within the context of the WSIS Action Plan. It underlined the dual roles of implementer and facilitator for a number of Action Lines. The document also provided a roadmap on ITU’s follow-up to WSIS and invited inputs from the participants.

Document 02: The document entitled Report on Implementation of the Doha Action Plan (Resolution 17 – Regional Initiatives for the African region) provided a review of Regional Initiatives (Resolution 17, Rev. Doha, 2006) as well as an overview of other projects implemented within the Africa Region.

Document 05: The document entitled Summary of ITU-T Action Plan for WTSA-08 Resolutions (Johannesburg, 2008) which includes reference to ITU-D/BDT provided background on the ITU World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA-08, 21–30 October 2008, Johannesburg, South Africa) which adopted 49 Resolutions, 21 of which were new. A list of 17 Resolutions calling for collaboration with BDT, together with excerpts from these Resolutions requiring specific follow-up actions (i.e., "resolves", "instructs") was presented.

Document 07: The document entitled Report on Implementation of WTDC-06 Resolutions (from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2009) provided additional information on various activities undertaken or planned by BDT for the period of three years (January 2007 to December 2009) in implementing the Doha Action Plan (DAP) with particular emphasis on WTDC-06 Resolutions relevant to Programmes, Study Groups, Activities and Special Initiatives.

A number of interventions were made by participants including, inter alia, requests for additional clarifications on topics such as activities related the transition from analogue to digital , measurement of actual impact of activities, mobilization of resources for African broadband projects, and activities related to COSITU.

In the ensuing discussion with regard to Document 02, and in particular with regard to the African Regional Initiative 2 on harmonization of policy and regulatory frameworks, comments were made as to a possible geographical unbalance with Central Africa lacking representation in projects. A participant mentioned the emphasis on regional and subregional projects and a view was expressed that priority should be given first to regional then subregional and, then as a third priority, national projects. Another comment was made as to whether BDT was able to rapidly respond to a fast changing telecommunication/ICT environment.

The BDT Director noted the comments made by delegates on finding balance in the allocation of resources, staff and projects. He also explained BDT’s strategy to provide equal support to all subregions in Africa.

Document 06: The purpose of the document entitled A fresh look on ITU-D activities and presented by BDT was to trigger discussion, especially on programming of BDT activities and potential for consolidation in preparation for the 2010 World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-10). The BDT Director emphasized that the proposals in the document was given as an example and Members were invited to submit contributions as they deemed fit.

Policy and Regulation

Document 10: The document entitled Maintaining the regional initiative on strengthening and harmonizing policy and regulatory frameworks was introduced by Burkina Faso. The document reviewed Burkina Faso’s national efforts with regard to its legislative and regulatory frameworks including texts addressing building confidence and security in the use of ICTs. Burkina Faso specifically welcomed the ITU/EU project Harmonization of the ICT Policies in Sub-Sahara Africa (HIPSSA) launched in December 2008, and recommended that the related initiative on Strengthening and harmonizing policy and regulatory framework for integration of African ICT markets be maintained.

Document 12: The document entitled Harmonization of regulatory policies in Africa was introduced by Senegal who also expressed support for Document 10 submitted by Burkina Faso. The document proposed that BDT should, in liaison with the African Telecommunication Union (ATU), designate a focal point responsible for coordinating the follow-up of issues related to harmonization of regulatory policies in African countries, in order to speed up this process.

Document 18: The document entitled Implementing the reference framework for harmonization of telecommunication and ICT policy and regulation in Africa was introduced by ATU. The document reviewed activities to implement a Reference Framework that defined a set of activities as requested by the African Union Summit held in 2008. ATU also welcomed the ITU/EU HIPSSA project and noted that ITU is seen as a key partner in implementation of activities in the Reference Framework.

Document 19: The document entitled Harmonization of policy and regulatory frameworks was introduced by Mali. The document outlined a number of objectives to facilitate and enhance the reform of Africa’s telecommunication/ICT sector in order to achieve subregional harmonization.

Support was expressed for the above documents, particularly with regard to harmonization of policy and regulatory frameworks in Central Africa. A participant expressed a concern that in certain circumstances it was not possible to completely harmonize policy and regulatory frameworks because of different national approaches and needs. Participants suggested a need for recruitment of experts in standardization and radiocommunication for the region. Several participants expressed support for Document 18 and wished to acknowledge the support of the European Union (EU) in the HIPSSA project.

The BDT Director stated that policy and regulatory issues were one of the most important activities of the Sector and BDT explained ITU’s related programme and project initiatives. BDT explained in more detail the status of the ITU/EU HIPSSA project.

The Chairman gave his perspective on the comments suggesting a need to harmonize across a number of regulatory frameworks. BDT provided further information on the involvement of African regional economic communities (e.g., COMESA, SADC, EAC, IGAD, ECCAS, ECOWAS) and regulatory associations in the HIPSSA project. The Chairman indicated that additional information was needed with regard to the HIPSSA initiative and that capacity building was important for implementing this project. In his summary, the Chairman noted the general support for including a regional initiative on harmonization of policy and regulation.

Document 22: The document entitled Situation of persons with disabilities in regard to ICT issues was introduced by Mali. The document contained a set of specific institutional and policy, financial, and technical recommendations to mitigate or even eliminate inequality in access to ICTs by persons with disabilities.

Document 26: The document entitled Harmonization of policy and regulatory frameworks in West Africa was introduced by Côte d’Ivoire. This document recommended maintaining the initiative on harmonizing policy and regulatory frameworks for integration of telecommunication/ICT markets, until such time as all Member States have effectively incorporated them.

Document 27: The document entitled Protection of the environment and the population’s health was introduced by Côte d’Ivoire. This document reviewed issues of deployment of mobile telephony and the general population’s concerns with regard to EMF and public health. Côte d’Ivoire recommended that BDT undertake specific initiatives to promote a greater understanding of issues related to health and protection of the environment.

Document 28: The document entitled Cybersecurity strategies was introduced by Côte d’Ivoire. This document requested that additional related efforts be made to assist African countries including training workshops, seminars and forums to develop a cybersecurity strategy, in establishing national and regional CERTs/CSIRTS, and in upgrading national legal provisions in order to combat cybercrime.

In summarizing, the Chairman provided an overview of all the documents introduced in this session and indicated that there was a general endorsement. He indicated that there was broad support for the continuation of policy and regulatory programme, continuation of the regional initiative on policy and regulatory harmonization, and that the issues regarding health and environmental issues be considered within the framework of a Study Group question.

Human capacity building

Document 08: The document entitled Maintaining the regional initiative on human and institutional capacity building was introduced by Burkina Faso. This document indicated that promotion of human capital was a national priority and Burkina Faso recommended that the related regional initiative be maintained at WTDC-10.

Document 13: The document entitled Human resources training sessions was introduced by Senegal. This document called for additional ITU efforts in human capacity building and that efforts be made to take advantage of the Centres of Excellence, and that some new specific topics be considered. It also called for ITU-branded diplomas or certificates to be issued for participation in ITU training opportunities.

Document 20: The document entitled Human resources and institutions was introduced by Mali. This document proposed a specific set of initiatives to enhance capacity building in African countries. Mali noted that this document supported the Burkina Faso proposal to maintain a regional initiative on capacity building.

Document 24: The document entitled Digital TV was introduced by Mali. This document proposed a set of recommendations to support the deployment of digital TV in Africa.

Document 28: The document entitled Cybersecurity strategies, having already been introduced by Côte d’Ivoire, was discussed again in the context of human capacity building. Côte d’Ivoire emphasized that human capacity building was an essential element to support cybersecurity strategies, including organizations of seminars and workshops for technicians. It was also suggested to establish exchange programmes with developed countries for staff training.

The Chairman in his summary indicated that there was consensus that the regional initiative on human capacity development be maintained. He noted that with regard to cybersecurity and digital TV, the general feeling was to call for more coordination between ITU-D and ITU-T. BDT explained the Sector’s human capacity building activities at both the programme and project level, including the recent expansion of the African Centres of Excellence network.

A participant asked that research also being carried out in the Centres of Excellence network. Another intervention suggested that ITU may need to identify new areas for training which may be needed, such as capacity building on issues related to people with disabilities.

BDT provided background on the Regional Human Capacity Development Forum held just prior to the RPM. There were a number of interventions in support of maintaining an initiative on human capacity building. A specific suggestion was to include ESMT in all related BDT activities.

The Chairman in his summary indicated that there was clear support for human capacity building and at both the programme and initiative level. He cited a number of topics that received particular support including cybersecurity, telecommunication/ICT for people with disabilities, and analogue-digital transition.

ICT Access for persons with disabilities

Document 22: The document entitled Situation of persons with disabilities in regard to ICT issues, having already been introduced by Mali, was again discussed in the specific context of ICT access for persons with disabilities.

Further capacity building on this topic and information dissemination on telecommunication/ICT and disabilities was recommended by a participant.

In his summary, the Chairman suggested that we look at the possibility of harmonizing practices with regard to access to ICTs for persons with disabilities.

Deployment of broadband networks; policy, resource mobilization strategies and financial issues

Document 11: The document entitled Broadband infrastructures in Africa was introduced by Senegal. This document stressed the importance of building out broadband infrastructure, to facilitate migration to IPv6, and to complete implementation projects under way as soon as possible. Senegal requested ITU to increase its efforts including mobilizing funds and unifying the positions of different players involved in building out African infrastructures.

Document 14: The document entitled Rural connectivity in Ethiopia was introduced by Ethiopia. This document reviewed the current telecommunication/ICT environment in Ethiopia and made proposals that ITU elaborate strategies for developing broadband services for rural communities, particularly, in the absence of supply side market drivers, and to allocate project funds to realize related projects and capacity building.

The Chairman enquired as to whether there was some sort of toolkit for policy makers for developing broadband access. In response, BDT elaborated on some of the Bureau’s initiatives in this area including best practices coming from an ITU-D Study Group activities and Programme 2.

In his summary, the Chairman indicated support for continuing ITU initiatives with regard to the deployment of broadband networks and highlighted some of the issues raised, including the problems for landlocked countries, collaboration between ITU-T and ITU-D, and increased support for Central Africa.

Document 24: The document entitled Digital TV, having already been introduced, was discussed in the context of broadband infrastructure. Mali reaffirmed the need for capacity building in this domain.

Document 15: The document entitled Power supply for ICT was introduced by Chad. This document discussed the problem of power supply in Africa and proposed that ITU provide increased support for African countries to find solutions for the provision of efficient power supplies for telecommunication/ICT equipment.

It was suggested that this topic related to environmental issues include a discussion of renewable energy resources. It was also suggested to raise awareness and undertake advocacy with technology companies. A number of countries expressed support for ITU to undertake activities in this domain, including a proposal that a Study Group question be established on this topic and related focused capacity building.

The Chairman in his summary suggested that there were clear synergies that could be made between ICTs and power provision. He cited, for example, a policy approach that could share funds between national ICT and electrification initiatives. The Chairman in his summary indicated that there was support for ITU to undertake studies on telecommunication and ICT power solutions, including consideration of EMF effects.

A proposal was made that when the study is undertaken, other relevant organizations be involved.

Least developed countries and Small Island Developing States (SIDS)

Document 17: The document entitled Least developed countries and SIDS was introduced by Uganda. This document proposed that the ITU-D Programme on Assistance to Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States be continued for the next four-year cycle.

A large number of interventions were made supporting this proposal.

In his summary, the Chairman indicated that there was a clear expression of interest for this to continue as an ITU-D programme. The meeting took note of a suggestion by a participant to include highly indebted countries.

Broadband infrastructure including Internet interconnection and establishment of IXPs, as well as e-services (e-health, e-education, e-government)

Document 09: The document entitled Recommendation to maintain the African regional initiative on Development of a broadband infrastructure and achievement of regional interconnectivity was introduced by Burkina Faso. This document called for maintaining the related African initiative.

Document 21: The document entitled Infrastructure development was introduced by Mali. This document called for ITU to provide assistance in infrastructure development including policies for appropriate technological choices that address convergence in the sector.

Document 23: The document entitled Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa – PIDA was introduced by ATU. This document explained the PIDA initiative which has the objective to optimize efforts for African stakeholders to have a programme, projects, as well as an action plan for the harmonized implementation of infrastructure development.

Document 29: The document entitled Assistance in migration IPv4-IPv6 was introduced by Senegal. This document requested BDT to undertake a series of activities to support the transition to Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6), including activities related to migration strategies, capacity building in cooperation with ITU-T, and a request for ITU-D Study Groups to establish a related task force.

Document 30: The document entitled Implementation of the recommendations of the Connect Africa Summit, Kigali, 29-30 October 2007 in regard to the development of ICT infrastructures in the Democratic Republic of Congo was introduced by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This document requested BDT to support the development of ICT projects underway in the DRC described in this document.

The Chairman in his summary indicated continued support for the ITU-D programme on infrastructure development and the regional initiative for analogue to digital transition.

Rural connectivity

Document 14: The document entitled Rural connectivity in Ethiopia, having already been introduced by Ethiopia was discussed in the context of rural connectivity. Ethiopia reiterated its proposal that ITU elaborate strategies for development of broadband services for rural communities and allocate funds for projects and capacity building.

Document 30: The document entitled Implementation of the recommendations of the Connect Africa Summit, Kigali, 29-30 October 2007 in regard to the development of ICT infrastructures in the Democratic Republic of Congo, having already been introduced by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), was discussed in the context of rural connectivity. This document requested BDT to support the development of ICT projects underway in the DRC, including installation of ICTs in rural areas.

The Chairman in his summary indicated that there was clear continuing support for the ITU-D programme on rural connectivity both in the programme and in regional initiatives.

Follow-up on the implementation of the outcomes of Connect Africa

Document 04: The document entitled Report on implementation of the Doha Action Plan (WSIS implementation), having already been introduced by BDT, was reviewed in the context of follow-up to implementation of the outcomes of Connect Africa. This document provides an overview of the activities undertaken by BDT within the context of the WSIS Action Plan, including a roadmap for Action Line C2.

Document 25: The document entitled Follow-up on Implementation of the outcomes of the Connect Africa Summit was introduced by Mali. This document recommended a series of measures to be undertaken as follow-up to the Connect Africa Summit and to ensure that the results are taken into account in ITU future activities.

Document 30: The document entitled Implementation of the recommendations of the Connect Africa Summit, Kigali, 29-30 October 2007 in regard to the development of ICT infrastructures in the Democratic Republic of Congo, having already been introduced by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), was included in the context of Connect Africa.

Following an extensive discussion by participants, the Chairman indicated that there was a clear need for a better understanding of the status in countries of follow-up to the Connect Africa Summit.

After considering the introduction of documents and interventions, the RPM-AFR identified the following as priority areas for Programmes, Regional initiatives, and Study Group Questions for ITU-D future work.

The Members’ contributions to the RPM-AFR include a number of topics that require the provision of training, expertise and information sharing. These topics, which are global in nature, could be operationalized through programmes supported by the following four modes of delivery: the creation of tools, development of training materials, information dissemination through workshops and seminars as well as direct assistance.

The proposed topics could be consolidated into programmes based on the linkages or similarities between them, as follows:

2. African Regional Initiatives

   The African Regional Initiatives are intended to address the specific  telecommunication/ICT priority areas through partnerships and resource mobilization to implement small-, medium- and large-scale projects. Under each Regional Initiative, projects would be developed and implemented to meet countries’ needs.

   Human and institutional capacity building

   Objective: To provide stakeholders in Africa, on a sustainable basis, with human resources and skills needed for the harmonious development of the information and communication technology (ICT) sector.

   Expected results

   1. Enhanced skills and human capacity on the design and development of  telecommunication/ICT strategies.
   2. Increased local expertise through cooperation between countries.
   3. Increased access to  telecommunication/ICT training resources, including training manuals, for all African stakeholders in the sector.
   4. Promotion of technical cooperation between  telecommunication/ICT training institutions on capacity and resources.
   5. Increased availability of public access to knowledge, in particular by raising public and consumer awareness.
   6. Information exchange and sharing forums between the various groups having a stake in the  telecommunication/ICT sector in Africa, in particular young people, women and people with disabilities.
   7. Enhanced human capacity building on legal aspects to address security and trust in telecommunication/ICT, including cybercriminality.

   Strengthening and harmonizing policy and regulatory frameworks for integration of African telecommunication/ICT markets

   Objective: To promote the reform of Africa's national  telecommunication/ICT sectors and facilitate the implementation of  telecommunication/ICT strategies in order to achieve subregional and regional integration of  telecommunication/ICT infrastructures, services and markets.

   Expected results

   1. Establishment of an enabling environment in Africa through subregional and regional harmonization and coordination of  telecommunication/ICT policy and regulatory frameworks;
   2. Development of competitive African  telecommunication/ICT markets;
   3. Harmonized technical standards to provide increased connectivity of networks and services;
   4. Establishment of a harmonized policy to reduce the level of intra-continental traffic routed by extra-continental transit centres;
   5. Development of a harmonized strategy for universal access, taking into account the special needs of young people, women, people with disabilities and indigenous populations;
   6. Development of a harmonized strategy to strengthen information security and combat spamming and cybercriminality.

   Development of a broadband infrastructure and achievement of regional interconnectivity and universal access

   Objective: To assist ITU Member States in the development of backbone broadband infrastructure and access, in urban and rural areas, with particular emphasis on subregional and continental interconnection.

   Expected results

   1. National  telecommunication/ICT master plans in meeting the requirements of developing countries
   2. Improved broadband backbone infrastructure and access for affordable  telecommunication/ICT services in urban and rural areas
   3. Guidelines on rural connectivity including policy, appropriate technologies, and power supply related issues, and best practices
   4. Increased human capacity skills on broadband communication networks
   5. Interconnection of countries by means of high-capacity links, including access to undersea cables by land-locked countries, as follow-up to the Connect Africa Summit.

   Introduction of new digital broadcasting technologies

   Objectives: To assist ITU Member States towards a smooth and timely transition from analogue to digital broadcasting to take advantage of the digital dividend

   Expected results

   1. Comprehensive guidelines on transition from analogue to digital broadcasting
   2. Policy and regulatory frameworks for digital terrestrial broadcasting including mobile television;
   3. Digital broadcasting master plans for transition from analogue to digital broadcasting including Mobile TV and IPTV
   4. Provision of assistance in the field of interactive multimedia services to broadcasters of the Africa region
   5. Enhanced human resources skills on digital broadcasting technologies
   6. Appropriate mechanisms for conversion from analogue to digital archives

   Implementation of the recommendations of the Connect Africa Summit

   Objective: To follow up on implementation of the outcomes of Connect Africa through coordination among all of the Summit’s stakeholders

   Expected results

   1. Collection and dissemination of information on the regional, subregional and national connectivity projects included in countries’ development plans
   2. Development of a roadmap for the implementation of the Summit’s outcomes, in coordination with subregional organizations
   3. Coordination of regional and subregional connectivity projects
   4. To facilitate partnership in the implementation of African common infrastructure projects, including partners
   5. Establishment of an efficient and flexible system for disseminating information on implementation of the Connect Africa Summit outcomes.
       

3.   Proposed New Study Group Questions

1. Protection of the environment and of the population’s health (document 27)
2. Power supply for  telecommunication/ICT (document 15)
3. Impact of  telecommunication/ICT technologies on climate change
4. Consumer Satisfaction and Quality of Service indicators