Summary: December 9, 2003: World Summit to set out a strategic vision for a global information society (Brussels)
The United Nations World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) will take place in Geneva from the 10th to the 12th December 2003. This is the single most important political event dedicated to the Information Society since the European Commission coined the phrase in the mid-Nineties. Heads of State and Government and senior ministers from around the world should agree a Declaration of Principles governing the global information society and a Plan of Action to guide countries in making it
a reality. Erkki Liikanen, Commissioner for the Information Society has been asked by President Prodi to represent the European Commission throughout the Summit, while Commissioner for development and humanitarian aid, Poul Nielson, will attend the Summit on the 10th December to sign a joint position on information society for development with the Union's African, Caribbean and Pacific partners. A second session of the World Summit will take place in Tunis in November 2005.
Erkki Liikanen said: "This Summit shows that the information society has come of age. The principles to be agreed at the Summit will provide a roadmap for countries around the world. The European Union is happy to see that its efforts to bridge the digital divide, helping countries both inside and outside the Union, are recognised in the Declaration and the Action Plan. We are not promoting technology for technology's sake, but we recognise its importance in pursuing development
goals. ICTs can reduce the disadvantages of geography. They are boosting productivity, increasing efficiency within the public sector and stimulating growth. But to acheive the full benefits, countries must put the right regulatory and policy framework in place; a framework encouraging wider and affordable access and that can stimulate competition. This must be accompanied by investment in skills and backed by solid political commitment at the highest level. This political commitment is what we
expect this Summit to deliver."
Focusing on the role of the information society for developing countries, Poul Nielson said: "Information and technology has long been recognised for its wide ranging potential in the development of our societies. We have a responsibility to ensure that this potential is also put at the service of development. With the signature of the joint position tomorrow we are doing just this. We confirm our determination to fully integrate information and technology as an important tool in our
development co-operation in view of ensuring timely delivery on the Millennium development goals".
The Summit takes place at a time when there is world-wide recognition that society at large is changing fast - and will continue to do so - as a result of an information and communications revolution. This revolution is driving economic, social and cultural changes to an extent barely imaginable a decade ago.
The aims and the preparation of the Summit
The road towards the Summit started in 1998 via the United Nations' International Telecommunications Union (ITU)[1]. In January 2002 the pace picked up following a resolution of the UN General Assembly[2] which confirmed the aim of the Summit "to develop a common vision and understanding of the Information Society and to draw up a strategic plan of action for concerted development towards realising this vision." Both civil society and the private sector have been involved in the
preparatory process. They will also attend the Summit, alongside around 60 Heads of State or Government. This first session of the Summit should deliver two results: a Declaration of Principles and a Plan of Action. The European Union has been at the forefront of efforts to make the Summit a success. The Italian Presidency, working hand in hand with the European Commission, has led the negotiations on behalf of the European Union.
Challenges of the Information Society
The Plan of Action that will emerge from the Summit should address important challenges including:
Fundamental values, cultural diversity and freedom of speech
The Internet and the Information Society empower people and society. They offer better access to information and can reinforce freedom of expression. The Information Society can be used to build better democracies with a greater openness, cultural diversity and enhanced participation. It is helping to ensure rights for the individual. The Summit must recognise this role and indicate the fundamental rights - such as respect for human rights, access to information and the freedom of the press -
on which the Information Society is built.
The digital divide
The new technologies and services on which the Information Society is built offer means of helping to improve living conditions, increase opportunities and tackle poverty at a global, regional and national level. It can play an important part in achieving broader development goals, but developing countries cannot achieve this on their own. The Summit must recognise the need for digital solidarity to bridge the digital divide. Development and economic assistance programmes have an important role
to play. The Union as the largest donor of development assistance is actively committed to the use of new technologies in achieving its overall aid and development objectives.
Global co-ordination and co-operation
Remaining technical and regulatory obstacles must be removed so that the full potential of the Information Society can be realised. At the same time the global character of the information society raises issues that - due to their cross-border nature - require collective international action. The Summit should examine ways to deliver rules which foster the goals of the Information Society.
Information Society and Development
On the first day of the Summit the EU and ACP will sign a joint position outlining the broad elements of a strategic partnership on information society. The joint position includes: (i) a reaffirmation to intensify collaboration to develop demand driven information society strategies in ACP countries; (ii) a call for regulatory environments to include provisions on universal access at affordable costs; (iii) support to the intention of the European Commission and ACP to submit for funding an
ACP programme on ICT's and a call for wide stakeholder consultations in the conception of the programme; and (iv) a call on the European Commission, the European Investment Bank, and the ACP group in collaboration with institutions in EU and ACP to promote sustainable public-private partnerships in view of developing a vibrant ICT sector at all levels in ACP countries.
Over the last decade €110 million have been allocated from the European Development Fund to the ICT sector. The signing of the joint position is an important element in mobilising additional funding from the European Development Fund for ICT. After the signature of the joint EU ACP position, Commissioner Nielson will participate in a press conference will be held at Palexpo, hall II, room S at 18.00.
For further information please see:
Commission Communication COM(2003)271 Towards A Global Partnership In The Information Society: EU Perspective In The Context Of The United Nations World Summit On The Information Society (WSIS):
http://europa.eu.int/information_society/topics/telecoms/international/news/index_en.htm
WSIS website:
http://www.itu.int/wsis/
[1] Resolution 73 adopted during the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference Minneapolis 1998.
[2] A/RES/56/183.
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