29 March 2014, 10:30 - 12:30
ROOM C

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are a specialgroup of developing countries which face social,economic and environmental vulnerabilities.Most common challenges faced by SIDS are high costs for telecommunication infrastructure, energy and transportation, apart from minimum resilience to natural disasters.

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have been recognized as one of the key enablers of socio-economic development and environmental sustainability. It is therefore important that SIDS have good connectivity in order for ICTs to play a fundamental role in assisting these small island countries overcoming their unique challenges. ICTswill help improve social, economic, cultural and political developments that will in turn assist SIDSachieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The objective of the pre-event is to explore the main connectivity issues and how ICTs and broadband technologies are crucial in helping SIDS in their efforts. The purpose of the pre-event is also to identify new innovative frameworks and approaches that can be used to help SIDS move to achieve the future they deserve.

The event brought together high-level participants including Ministers, CEOs of Industry and Development Partners. The outcome will be a report outlining the SIDS connectivity needs and proposed solutions.This outcome document will be highlighted in ITU events planned during the 3rd international conference for SIDS to be held in Samoa, 1-4 September 2014. 

Programme

10:30 – 10:45
Opening Remarks
Mr. Brahima Sanou
Director
Telecommunication Development Bureau
International Telecommunications Union

10:45 – 11:00
BDT Presentation – Connectivity project for the SIDS of the Pacific
Ms. Gisa Fuatai Purcell
Head, LSE Division, PKM/BDT/ ITU

11:00 – 12:00
Ministerial Round Table
This session will discuss Key Issues of ICT Connectivity for development in SIDS
and Strategies for replicating the Pacific Project in other regions

• Moderator: Dr. Cosmas Zavazava
• H.E. Mr. Beniamina Rimeta, Minister of Communications, Transport and Tourism Development, Republic of Kiribati
• H.E. Mr. Darcy W Boyd, Minister for Telecommunication, Barbados
• H.E. Mr. Jim Miringtoro, Minister for Inforamtion and Communication Technology, Papua New Guinea
• H.E. Ms Massoundi BAHIAT, Ministre des Postes et Télécommunications, Comoros
• H.E. Mr Louis Napoleon CASAMBRE, Deputy Minister Information and Communications Technology Office, Philippines

12:00 – 12:15
Briefing on the upcoming Third International Conference for SIDS

12:15 – 12:30
Closing remarks
Mr. Brahima Sanou, Director, BDT/ITU