1. The common vision and guiding principles of the Declaration are translated in this
Plan of Action into concrete action lines to advance the achievement of the internationally
agreed development goals, including those in the Millennium Declaration, the Monterrey
Consensus and the Johannesburg Declaration and Plan of Implementation, by promoting
the use of ICT-based products, networks, services and applications, and to help countries
overcome the digital divide. The Information Society envisaged in the Declaration of
Principles will be realized in cooperation and solidarity by governments and all other
stakeholders.
2. The Information Society is an evolving concept that has reached different levels across
the world, reflecting the different stages of development. Technological and other change
is rapidly transforming the environment in which the Information Society is developed.
The Plan of Action is thus an evolving platform to promote the Information Society at the
national, regional and international levels. The unique two-phase structure of the World
Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) provides an opportunity to take this evolution
into account.
3. All stakeholders have an important role to play in the Information Society, especially
through partnerships:
a) Governments have a leading role in developing and implementing comprehensive,
forward-looking and sustainable national e-strategies. The private sector and civil society, in dialogue with governments, have an important consultative role to play in
devising national e-strategies.
b) The commitment of the private sector is important in developing and diffusing
information and communication technologies (ICTs), for infrastructure, content and applications. The private sector is not only a market player, but also plays a role in a
wider sustainable development context.
c) The commitment and involvement of civil society is equally important in creating
an equitable Information Society, and in implementing ICT-related initiatives for development.
d) International and regional institutions, including international financial
institutions, have a key role in integrating the use of ICTs in the development process
and making available necessary resources for building the Information Society
and for the evaluation of the progress made.
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