Recognizing WSIS Impacts

PP RESOLUTION 201 (Busan, 2014)

Creating an enabling environment for the deployment and use of information and communication technology applications

The Plenipotentiary Conference of the International Telecommunication Union ( Busan, 2014),

• recalling
  • a) Resolution 54 (Rev. Dubai, 2014) of the World Telecommunication Development Conference, on information and communication technology (ICT) applications;
  • b) Resolution 137 (Rev. Guadalajara, 2010) of the Plenipotentiary Conference, on next-generation network deployment in developing countries1;
  • c) Resolution 139 (Rev. Guadalajara, 2010) of the Plenipotentiary Conference, on telecommunications/ICTs to bridge the digital divide and build an inclusive information society;
  • d) Resolution 140 (Rev. Guadalajara, 2010) of the Plenipotentiary Conference, on ITU’s role in implementing the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS);
  • e) WSIS Action Line C7, on ICT applications (hereafter referred to as “e‑applications”), which are specified as:
    • • e‑government
    • • e‑business
    • • e‑learning
    • • e‑health
    • • e‑employment
    • • e‑environment
    • • e‑agriculture
    • • e‑science;
  • f) § 14 of the WSIS Geneva Plan of Action, which notes that ICT applications can support sustainable development, in the fields of public administration, business, education and training, health, employment, environment, agriculture and science within the framework of national e‑strategies,
• recalling further
  • a) Resolution 136 (Rev. Guadalajara, 2010) of the Plenipotentiary Conference, on the use of telecommunications/ICTs for monitoring and management in emergency and disaster situations for early warning, prevention, mitigation and relief;
  • b) Resolution 182 (Guadalajara, 2010) of the Plenipotentiary Conference, on the role of telecommunications/ICTs in regard to climate change and protection of the environment;
  • c) Resolution 183 (Guadalajara, 2010) of the Plenipotentiary Conference, on telecommunication/ICT applications for e‑health,
• noting
  • a) that Objective D.2 of the strategic plan for the Union for 2016-2019 aims to foster an enabling environment for ICT development and foster the development of telecommunication/ICT networks as well as relevant applications and services;
  • b) that ITU, along with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), established the Broadband Commission for Digital Development in 2010 in its efforts to strengthen the activities aimed at the expansion of broadband and to give more weight to the utilization of ICT applications;
  • c) that ITU has played a key role in the implementation of the WSIS outcomes for both networks and e‑applications, in the role of mediator/facilitator for information and communication infrastructure (Action Line C2) and the role of co-facilitator in the more active implementation of ICT applications (Action Line C7),
• recognizing
  • a) that the use of telecommunications/ICT can improve competitiveness and productivity, as well as increasing efficiencies and bringing benefits in all aspects of our daily life;
  • b) that the benefits of deploying telecommunication networks will be fully realized through the introduction and active utilization of various ICT applications and services;
  • c) that, in order to facilitate the deployment of telecommunication networks and the expansion of ICT applications, cooperation among various respective players is necessary at various levels;
  • d) that, in order to enable people to access and use ICT applications, it is important to develop an approach adapted to local needs,
• resolves to instruct the ITU Council
  • 1 to consider the Secretary-General’s report referred to in instructs the Secretary-General 5 below;
  • 2 to consider ways and means to further explore this topic, as appropriate,
• instructs the Secretary-General
  • 1 to continue monitoring the progress and achievements of goals set by the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), WSIS and the Broadband Commission;
  • 2 to actively participate in discussions relating to the Post-2015 Development Agenda in order for the Union to play a pivotal role in enabling greater use of e‑applications;
  • 3 to continue consultations with all relevant organizations and institutions in ICT sectors as well as non-ICT sectors in order to explore ways to cooperate in promoting the expansion and active utilization of e‑applications in various areas;
  • 4 to progress all activities related to this resolution within the ITU’s mandate;
  • 5 to report to the Council on the progress of activities related to this resolution,
• instructs the Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau
  • 1 to further elaborate the ICT Development Index (IDI) to reflect the availability and utilization of ICT applications and their social and economic impact;
  • 2 to enhance awareness of the role and benefits of e‑applications regarding socio-economic development;
  • 3 to work with the Director of the Radiocommunication Bureau and the Director of the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, as appropriate, in order to encourage cooperation with other relevant organizations in the development of best practices relating to the network infrastructure that enables the use of a wide range of e‑applications,
• invites Member States, Sector Members, Associates and Academia
  • 1 to promote the introduction of e‑applications to support sustainable development, in the fields of public administration, business, education and training, health, employment, environment, agriculture, manufacturing industry and science, among others, within the framework of national e‑strategies;
  • 2 to consider how institutional frameworks can support the utilization of e‑applications;
  • 3 to promote policy measures that will encourage the adoption of e‑applications within their countries;
  • 4 to explore measures for greater cooperation and coordination with other Member States, Sector Members and various entities such as international organizations, development institutes, industries, and other relevant organizations in order to strengthen their roles and activities in relation with ICT applications.