Objective D.1

D.1: Foster international cooperation on telecommunication/ICT development issues

Outcomes
D.1-1: Draft strategic plan for ITU-D.
D.1-2: WTDC Declaration.
D.1-3: WTDC Action Plan.
D.1-4: Resolutions and recommendations.
D.1-5: New and revised Questions for study groups.
D.1-6: Increased level of agreement on priority areas.
D.1-7: Assessment of the implementation of the Action Plan and of the WSIS Plan of Action.
D.1-8: Identification of regional initiatives.
D.1-9: Increased number of contributions and proposals for the Action Plan.
D.1-10: Enhanced review of priorities, programmes, operations, financial matters and strategies.
D.1-11: Work programme.
D.1-12: Comprehensive preparation of progress report to the Director of BDT on the implementation of the work programme.
D.1-13 Enhanced knowledge-sharing and dialogue among Member States and Sector Members (including Associates and Academia) on emerging telecommunication/ICT issues for sustainable growth.
D.1-14 Strengthened capacity of members to develop and implement ICT strategies and policies as well as to identify methods and approaches for the development and deployment of infrastructure and applications.

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D.1-1 World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC) [78]

WTDCs are convened to consider topics, projects and programmes relevant to telecommunication development. WTDCs set the strategies and objectives for the development of telecommunication and ICTs, providing direction and guidance to the ITU-D.

WTDC-17 was held from 9 to 20 October 2017 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, under the theme of "ICT for Sustainable Development Goals" (ICT④SDGs). WTDC-17 adopted: the Buenos Aires Declaration; an ITU-D Contribution to the ITU Strategic Plan for 2020-2023; and the Buenos Aires Action Plan (BaAP) comprising five regional initiatives for each of the six development regions, 42 revised resolutions and four new resolutions (abrogating six resolutions, five of which were merged) to support the fulfilment of the Sector's objectives, and new and revised Questions to be studied by ITU-D study groups.

In adopting the Buenos Aires Declaration, the delegates of WTDC-17 have declared their commitment to accelerate the expansion and use of telecommunication/ICT infrastructure, applications and services for building and further developing the information society and bridging the digital divide, the timely implementation of WSIS Action Lines and attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals and targets. The ITU-D contribution to the ITU Strategic Plan 2020-2023 contains four objectives, 16 related outcomes, and 17 related outputs and their contributions to the achievement of SDGs and WSIS Action Lines.

A High-Level Segment was organized during the first three days of WTDC-17, providing a special platform for high-ranking officials from ITU's membership to express their views on emerging trends and on matters of strategic importance to the development of the telecommunication and ICT sector worldwide. In addition, two ministerial roundtables and a gala event were organized to celebrate ITU-D's 25th Anniversary. All former Directors of the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) participated in the celebrations and received special awards in recognition for their contribution.

D.1-2 Regional preparatory meetings (RPMs) [79]

In accordance with WTDC Resolution 31 (Rev. Hyderabad, 2010), BDT organized six RPMs and regional development forums served to secure the timely engagement of the ITU membership in the WTDC-17 process through consideration, at the regional level, of appropriate ICT development strategies.

All six RPMs discussed regional initiatives and developed draft proposals to WTDC-17. The texts of all the agreed regional initiatives formed an integral part of the regional common proposals to WTDC-17. The following documents were reviewed by all six RPMs

Preliminary Draft ITU-D Contribution to the ITU Strategic Plan for 2020-2023
Preliminary Draft ITU-D Action Plan
Preliminary Draft WTDC-17 Declaration
Rules of Procedure of ITU-D (WTDC Resolution 1)
Report on streamlining WTDC Resolutions.

D.1-3 Telecommunication Development Advisory Group (TDAG) [80]

TDAG met annually between 2014 and 2017 to advise the BDT Director on the implementation of the WTDC-14 Action Plan and the preparations for WTDC-17. The 19th meeting of TDAG (29 September 1 October 2014) established correspondence groups for key areas and reviewed outcome indicators and KPIs for the ITU-D Operational Plan for 2015-2018. The 20th meeting of TDAG (28 30 April 2015) reviewed the Plenipotentiary Conference (Busan, 2014) outcomes and resolutions and their implications for the work of ITU-D; reviewed the implementation of the ITU-D strategic plan and operational plan for 2014, including WTDC-14 resolutions and regional initiatives; considered the draft operational plan for 2016-2019; and convened first meetings of correspondence groups. The 21st meeting of TDAG (16-18 March 2016) reviewed topics including WTDC-17 preparations, the implementation of the ITU-D strategic plan and operational plan, and the ITU-D four-year rolling operational plan 2017-2020. The 22nd meeting of TDAG (9-12 May 2017) reviewed WTDC-17 preparations, RPM outcomes, the work of the three correspondence groups and the outcomes of the Inter-Sectoral Coordination Team on Issues of Mutual Interest. The new composition of the TDAG Bureau for the 2018-2021 cycle and the TDAG chairman and vice-chairmen were approved by WTDC-17. The 23rdrd meeting of TDAG (9-11 April 2018) reviewed the outcomes of WTDC-17, collaboration with the other Sectors, financial implications of regional initiatives, the implementation of the ITU-D Strategic and Operational Plan 2017, ITU-D four-year rolling Operational Plan 2019-2022, implementation of the WSIS outcomes and 2030 Agenda, ITU-D Study Group-related matters, etc.

D.1-4 Study groups [81]

The ITU-D study groups followed the process set out in Resolution 1 (Rev. Dubai, 2014) and worked in accordance with the work plans adopted by WTDC-14. Study Group 1 examined issues relating to an enabling environment for the development of telecommunications/ICTs. Study Group 2 examined matters relating to ICT applications, cybersecurity, emergency telecommunications and climate-change adaptation. WTDC-14 appointed 23 chairmen and vice-chairmen to lead the work. Eighteen final reports of the ITU-D study Questions and new SG management including 2 chairmen and 23 vice-chairmen for the 2018-2021 cycle were approved by WTDC-17.

[78] TDC Res. 1, 2, 5, 30, 33, 37, 50, 53, 59, 81, 82; PP Dec. 5, 13; PP Res. 25, 71, 72, 77, 111, 131, 133, 135, 139, 140, 151, 154, 165, 167; Council R 1372; WSIS Action Lines C1, C11; SDG Targets: 1, 3, 5, 10, 16, 17.

[79] WTDC Res. 5, 17, 25, 30, 31, 33, 37, 48, 50, 59, 61, 81; PP Dec. 5, 13; PP Res. 25, 71, 111, 135, 140, 165, 167 ; WSIS Action Lines C1, C11; SDG Targets 1, 3, 5, 10, 16, 17

[80] WTDC Res. 1, 5, 17, 24, 30, 33, 50, 59, 61, 81; PP Dec. 5, 13; PP Res. 25, 71, 111, 135, 140, 151, 154, 165, 166, 167; Council R 1372; WSIS Action Lines C1, C11; SDG Targets 1, 3, 5, 10, 16, 17.

[81] WTDC Res. 1, 2, 5, 9, 17, 21, 30, 33, 50, 59, 61, 80, 81; ITU-D Recommendations 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22; PP Dec. 5, 13; PP Res. 25, 71, 133, 135, 140, 154, 165, 166, 167; Council R1372; WSIS Action Lines C11, C11; SDG Targets 1, 3, 5, 10, 16, 17.