Archived Newsroom • Press Release |
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WSIS Stocktaking Report reveals innovation, dedication in global
commitment to connect the world
Geneva, 15 May 2012 – The 2012 edition of the WSIS
Stocktaking Report has been released today at the WSIS Forum 2012, which is
taking place this week in Geneva (14-18 May).
The report provides a two-yearly summary of the ongoing WSIS Stocktaking
process, which will serve as the central reference point for assessment and
evaluation in the Overall Review of the WSIS Implementation (WSIS+10).
Preparations for this review, which will be led by ITU, begin this week as part
of this year’s Forum.
The diverse activities reflected in this fourth edition of the report
demonstrate the commitment and wide-ranging efforts being made by stakeholders
from government, UN agencies, civil society and private industry to build an
inclusive Information Society and achieve the WSIS connectivity targets and
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.
The new edition showcases more than 1,000 innovative ICT-oriented projects
covering the period 2010-2012. In many countries, governments have adopted a
multi-stakeholder approach for the development of national ICT strategies,
actively engaging and harnessing the talents, skills and assets of civil society
and private sector.
The aim and scope of projects outlined in the report are very different –
some target connectivity for millions, such as the Trans-Eurasian Information
Super Highway (TASIM) that seeks to provide affordable connectivity to
landlocked countries in Eurasia, and particularly Central Asia; others target
regional investments to enhance ICT access, applications and services; and a few
aim to raise awareness about particular topics through conferences and
workshops.
“The huge range of activities reflected in this impressive publication serve
as evidence of the hard work of many different stakeholders from around the
world in meeting the connectivity target set by the international community in
2005,” said ITU Secretary-General Dr Hamadoun Touré.
The focus of the report is on sharing innovative ideas to promote the use of
ICTs in socio-economic development, and on identifying best ICT-related
practices in different countries.
Broadband is increasingly becoming an integral component of national
strategies, and accessibility issues to help bring the power of ICTs to the more
than one billion people living with some form disability remain an important
priority. Other important areas of focus include bringing digital literacy to
underserved communities, cybersecurity, e-services and e-applications, and
citizens’ empowerment.
The report also provides a detailed look at the role of ICTs in the
transition towards a green economy, as well as important information on
sustainable development, climate change and environmental challenges in the
future.
The content of the publication is based entirely on contributions from
stakeholders.
Videos, photos, live and archived webcasts, copies of new reports and
transcripts of speeches can be found at the WSIS Forum 2012 Newsroom at
http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/wsis/index.aspx, or on the main event
website at http://www.wsis.org/forum
Follow all the action at this year’s WSIS Forum on Twitter at #WSIS.
For more information, please contact:
Sarah Parkes
Media Relations, ITU
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Jaroslaw Ponder
Strategy & Policy Advisor, ITU
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About WSIS |
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The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) is a UN
process that was initiated in two unique phases in order to
create an evolving multi-stakeholder platform aimed at promoting
Information Society at the national, regional and international
levels. The goal of WSIS is to achieve a common vision, desire
and commitment to build a people-centric, inclusive and
development-oriented Information Society where everyone can
create, access, utilize and share information. The Final Review
of this process will take place in 2015.
www.wsis.org
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