​Chair of the Forum: Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA)

• ​Welcome address from Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority: Patrick Mutimushi, Director, Technology and Engineering
• Opening remarks from Representative of ITU for Southern Africa: Chali Tumelo
• Remarks from SADC Secretariat Representative: Dr. George Ah-Thew
• Official Opening by Hon Minister of Transport, Works Supply and Communication: H.E. Mr Yamfwa Mukanga MP 

​SESSION 1: ITU Activities on Conformance and Interoperability

Chair: Patrick Mutimushi (ZICTA)

This session will review the ITU Resolutions on conformity and interoperability. It will show the ITU C&I Programme implementation including an overview on the ITU Conformity Database and the ITU C&I Portal           

S1-1 ITU C&I Programme Pillars 1 and 2: Isaac Boateng (Ghana)

S1-2 ITU C&I Programme Pillars 3 and 4: Riccardo Passerini (ITU)

S1-3 ITU Regional Activities for the development of ICTs: Chali Tumelo (Representative of ITU for Southern Africa)

​SESSION 2: Procedures to establish C&I Regimes: International Organizations, reference Standards, Procedures for establishing a Conformity Assessment Schemes, Assessment Studies, Building Labs, Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs)

Chair: Joshua K. Peprah (ITU Expert)           

This session will consider the applicability of the global system for conformity assessment (e.g. ISO/CASCO Toolkit) and the approach to Conformity Assessment, Interoperability, Certification and Mutual Recognition Agreements and Arrangements

S2-1 Why assess conformity? The benefits, principles and approaches to conformity assessment: Bill McCrum (ITU Expert)

S2-2 ITU Guidelines for Establishing a C&I Regime: Riccardo Passerini (ITU)

​SESSION 2 (cont.): Procedures to establish C&I Regimes: International Organizations, reference Standards, Procedures for establishing a Conformity Assessment Schemes, Assessment Studies, Building Labs, Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs)

This session will consider the applicability of the global system for conformity assessment (e.g. ISO/CASCO Toolkit) and the approach to Conformity Assessment, Interoperability, Certification and Mutual Recognition Agreements and Arrangements

S2-3 Equipment certification and importation procedures - ensuring quality and combating counterfeiting: Keith Mainwaring (ITU expert)

S2-4 Criteria and characteristics to establish accredited Bodies/Labs in the Regions for Type Approval/Homologation: recommendations, and best practices (e.g. ISO/IEC/CASCO toolbox, guides and standards such as ISO/IEC 17011 and 17025); Considerations in building Type Approval and Interoperability Test Labs and areas of operation: Part 1 - Part 2: Bill McCrum (ITU Expert)          

S2-5 Mutual Recognition Agreements/Arrangements: General Introduction, framework and benefits: Andrew Kwan (ITU expert)

Session 3 : Conformity Assessment and Interoperability - Building Test Labs

Chair: Bill McCrum (ITU Expert)                                                     

This session will show some key elements of the BDT guidelines to set up laboratories in the region, strategies, best practices, costs, status in the industries and their labs. This session will also present the accreditation schemes that could be applied for the recognition by the ITU of conformity assessment bodies (Laboratories) and best experiences, IAF and ILAC procedures for MRAs and MLAs.

S3-1 Technical and economical steps to be followed to build Testing Labs according to the identified criteria and characteristics outlined in ISO/IEC 17025 ( Basic Steps to establish an ISO/IEC 17025 compliant testing laboratory). Criteria for selecting countries for establishing Regional Test Centres: Andrew Kwan (ITU Expert)

S3-2 Organization and Activity of a test Lab: Environments, procedures and methodologies, management and maintenance of a testing center covering different kind of C&I testing areas: Carlo Mogavero (Tilab - Italy)

S3-3 Feasibility Study for Building a Testing lab: Bob Farotto (Tilab - Italy)

​SESSION 4: Conformity Assessment and Interoperability - Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs)                        

Chair: Joshua K. Peprah (ITU Expert)

This session will consider the conformity assessment procedures set up by various organizations, test suites, certification schemes especially from experiences gained in the SADC Region. The view of the industry with respect to conformity assessment and certification will also be considered.

S4-1 ITU Guidelines for the development, implementation and management of Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs): Riccardo Passerini (ITU)

S4-2 Mutual Recognition Agreements/Arrangements: Procedures for definition, implementation and management of MRAs: Andrew Kwan (ITU Expert)

​​SESSION 5: Conformity and interoperability Assessment on Regional Basis . Collaboration among Regional and Sub-regional Organizations for Establishing common Conformity and Interoperability (C&I) Programmes and Mutual Recognition Agreements

Chair: Andrew Kwan (ITU Expert)           

S5-1 Assessment Study on Conformance and Interoperability for SADC Countries. Background, Objective, Methodology Deliverables and Outcomes: Riccardo Passerini (ITU)

S5-2 Situational Analysis - Status of Conformity and Interoperability and related initiatives in SADC countries. Awareness and Capacity on C&I in SADC countries, Centres of Excellences, Assistance required and Training capabilities: Joshua K. Peprah (ITU expert)

S5-3 Results and Findings from the Study - General aspects of the Region, Regulatory framework, Accreditation bodies and Institutions: Joshua K. Peprah (ITU expert)

S5-4 Harmonization and improvement of standards to be adopted at regional/subregional level: Isaac Boateng (Ghana)

SESSION 5 (cont.): Conformity and interoperability Assessment on Regional Basis . Collaboration among Regional and Sub-regional Organizations for Establishing common Conformity and Interoperability (C&I) Programmes and Mutual Recognition Agreements

S5-5 Proposed Roadmap for conformity and Interoperability Programme, including MRAs, for SADC Region- Implementation process, Phased approach, Expected benefits from a common C&I Programme for SADC countries: Joshua K. Peprah (ITU expert)         

S5-6 Way forward for establishing common Conformity and Interoperability Regime and Mutual recognition Agreements in SADC countries - Short and Medium term approaches, possible scenarios for establishing a Conformity and Interoperability Regime: Joshua K. Peprah (ITU expert)           

S5-7 Conclusions from the Assessment Study for SADC Countries: Joshua K. Peprah (ITU expert)

​SESSION 6 : C&I policies, Accreditation, test Labs, Certification, Regulations and needs in the region: the experience in developing countries

Chair: Joshua K. Peprah (ITU Expert)           

This session will present the situation in the region with respect to laboratories, accreditation and certification schemes, regulators and industry views. It will also consider the point of views of regulators concerning the need of certification of products to be entered in a national market and to fight counterfeit products. Proposals, experiences, certification and rules, solutions, TBT issues. Best practices for labs accreditation, technologies covered, conformity assessment schemes, associated costs and procedures, products certification will be shown as well.

S6-1 Homologation of Telecommunication Equipment, Procedures and Experience in SADC Countries : Mwenya Mutale (ZICTA) 

S6-2 Testing Laboratory experience in the SADC Region, Country's experience, Case Studies of Tanzania: Nehemia Mwenisongole (TCRA Tanzania)

​Session 7: Interactive discussion Way Forward

Interactive groups will make possible discussions among the participants to find possible solutions to a satisfactorily implementation of the common approach for SADC Countries: Building labs and/or Establishing MRAs

Chairman: Riccardo Passerini (ITU)

Moderators/Animators: ITU, Joshua K. Peprah, Carlo Mogavero, Andrew Kwan, Bill McCrum, Participating Countries

​Session 8: Panel Discussion - Implementation of the C&I Programme and Action Plan for SADC countries

Panel: Follow up for the implementation of the C&I Programme in the region based on the results of the interactive sessions. Steps to be undertaken to facilitate the creation of regional test labs and/or establishing MRAs and to create capacity building opportunities at a regional level. Establishment of further actions economical, technical and regional presence.

Moderator: Joshua K. Peprah (ITU expert)

Discussions with Panelists will follow