In order to keep the World Summit of Information Technology (WSIS) momentum going and in keeping with the recommendations of the WSIS "Tunis Agenda for the Information Society", ESCWA, with the support of UNESCO Beirut, will hold in Damascus, during 16-18 June 2009, a conference entitled "Follow-up to the Implementation of WSIS outcomes in Western Asia".
The main objectives of the conference are as follows:
(1) Reviewing and following-up on the implementation of the WSIS outcomes, the RPoA for building the Information Society in Western Asia, the Arab ICT Strategy and other national strategies and plans of action; this follow-up activity comes after 5 years of the first phase of the WSIS in Geneva, and after 3 years of the second phase in Tunis;(2) Identifying new projects1 for inclusion in the RPoA and in other plans of action, including the updated Arab ICT Strategy;(3) Updating the RPoA2 and making recommendations for the enhancement of ICT strategies and plans of action, in light of accumulated experiences.The main expected outcomes would be as follows:(a) A progress report highlighting the implementation activities related to WSIS outcomes, the RPoA and the Arab ICT Strategy.(b) An updated version of the RPoA including a list of new projects targeting the needs and realities of the Information Society for the period extending from 2009 to 2015;(c) A roadmap for the implementation and follow-up of future WSIS-related activities;(d) The creation of the Global Alliance for ICT and Development (GAID) Arab Region Network.The conference is organized by the ICT Division of ESCWA, under the patronage of the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic, represented by the Ministry of Communication and Technology.
Contact: George Awad
Related links: WSIS Forum 2009 (UNESCO Website)