The ITU Arab Regional Development Forum was held in Amman, Jordan, from 23 to 24 March 2015 under the theme "Broadband for Sustainable Development."
The Forum discussed the five Arab Regional Initiatives approved by the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-14) held in 2014, providing ITU Member States and Sector Members with an opportunity to exchange experiences and best practices in the implementation of the initiatives.
WTDC-14 adopted five Regional Initiatives proposed by the Arab States. The Initiatives focus on the following areas: broadband, cybersecurity, ICTs for the environment, smart learning, and ICTs for persons with disabilities.
Under each Regional Initiative, and through partnerships and resource mobilization, projects will be developed and implemented to meet the real needs of the region.
Mr Brahima Sanou, Director of ITU's Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) said, "The implementation of the Regional Initiatives is my priority and focus." "The implementation requires a true multi-stakeholder approach led by the governments of the region," he said. "We in the BDT will take the needful steps to extend our hands to all the stakeholders in the region and outside the region for the implementation of these initiatives."
He described the forum as a platform for dialogue and interaction between ITU-D Members and BDT on the implementation of Dubai Action Plan, and called for more stakeholders to join ITU-D in order to engage in the conversation on telecom and ICT development.
Ms Majd Shweikeh , Minister of Information and Communications Technology of Jordan, said that "The rapid development of the ICT sector requires all stakeholders to unite and intensify efforts to address the challenges the region faces in bringing the benefits of ICTs to the population."
"The five Regional Initiatives to be implemented over the next three years are of great importance to our countries, and the outcome of this Forum will have a positive impact on the development of the ICT sector in the Arab region and contribute to faster socio economic development," she added.
At the Forum, ITU launched a publication on the Arab Regional Initiative. "The publication includes a detailed proposed action plan to implement the initiatives," said Mr Ebrahim Al Haddad, ITU Regional Director for the Arab States. "We hope that, ultimately, the plan will encourage all stakeholders to cooperate and coordinate in the areas targeted by the Regional Initiatives with the aim of improving people's lives across the region."
See also: Mr Brahima Sanou Speech
