Establishment of an enabling policy and regulatory environment is an important component of disaster communications management. The enabling policy environment includes both general telecommunications regulatory and policy frameworks affecting overall deployment and use of ICTs, but also the establishment of frameworks and policies specific to disaster events. General policy considerations include reduction of regulatory barriers to the deployment of ICTs, promotion of robust and resilient ICT infrastructure development, streamlining of licensing procedures, and spectrum management. Disaster communications frameworks and policies help guide activities, roles and responsibilities throughout a disaster event and help ensure continuity of ICT operations following a disaster. Specific ICT policy and regulatory considerations for disaster response frameworks may include development of special, expedited licensing procedures for use during a disaster, addressing possible customs barriers to entry of emergency communications equipment, or considering implementation of the Tampere Convention.
The Model Policy and Regulatory Frameworks on use of Telecom/ICTs in Emergency and Disaster Management for Arab region is being developed as part of the implementation of the expected results of the ITU Arab Regional Initiative on Environment, climate change and emergency telecommunications as well as to meet the overall objective of the ITU-D (2018-2021) on Inclusive digital society: Foster the development and use of telecommunications/ICTs and applications to empower people and societies for sustainable development.
The objective of this Model Policy and Regulatory Frameworks on use of Telecom/ICTs in Emergency and Disaster Management in Arab Region is to strengthen the capacity of ICTs policy and regulatory institutions and enhance regional collaboration and knowledge sharing on use of Telecom/ICTs in Emergency and Disaster Management.
