Recognizing WSIS Impacts

WTDC RESOLUTION 50 (Rev. Dubai, 2014)

Optimal integration of information and communication technologies

The World Telecommunication Development Conference (Dubai, 2014),

• recalling
  • Resolution 50 (Rev Hyderabad, 2010) of the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC),
• considering
  • a)the role of ITU, in particular the specific functions of the ITU Telecommunication Development Sector (ITU‑D);
  • b)the continuing disparity between those who have and those who do not have access to information and communication technologies (ICT), referred to as the “digital divide”;
  • c)the many stakeholders in the public, private, academic, non-governmental organization and multilateral sectors who are seeking to bridge this divide;
  • d)the progress accomplished in the implementation of the outcomes of Phases 1 and 2 of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS),
• bearing in mind
  • a)that this continuing difference in access to ICTs leads to an extreme escalation of social disparities, with negative impacts on the social and economic environment in the various regions excluded from use of ICTs;
  • b)the interest shown by WSIS in ICT integration and the role of the three ITU Sectors in this regard;
  • c) the “Call to Action” of the Broadband Commission for Digital Development,to include ICT networks, services and applications as enablers of sustainable development,
• recognizing
  • a)ITU’s role as a catalyst, and in particular that of ITU‑D as coordinator and promoter of the rational use of resources in the context of the various projects intended to narrow the digital divide;
  • b)that numerous studies endorse the conclusion that investments in broadband infrastructure, applications and services contribute to sustainable and inclusive economic growth for peoples;
  • c)that most ITU Member States have adopted integrated connectivity policies with a view to making affordable ICT services more accessible to citizens, as an indispensable tool in reducing the digital divide;
  • d)that it is necessary to coordinate the efforts of both the public and private sectors to ensure that opportunities arising from the information society yield benefits, especially for the most disadvantaged;
  • e)that the integration models supported by the ITU Member States are an element that integrates, facilitates and does not exclude, one which takes into account the individual characteristics of all existing projects, respecting their autonomy and independence;
  • f)that the integration models propose ways to increase the profitability of existing infrastructure, to lower the cost of developing and implementing ICT projects and platforms, to provide for the sharing of expertise and skills, and to foster intraregional and extraregional technology transfers,
• resolves
  • 1 that the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) continue to adopt the necessary measures to implement regional projects derived from the non-exclusive integration models which it has acquired, to link all stakeholders, organizations and institutions of the various sectors in an ongoing relationship of cooperation in which information is disseminated over networks, so as to narrow the digital divide in line with the outputs of Phases 1 and 2 of WSIS;
  • 2 that BDT use the funds at its disposal to attain that objective;
  • 3 that BDT continue to play a central role in this initiative;
  • 4 that BDT collaborate closely, through the ITU regional offices, with ITU Member States in order to implement these regional projects, in addition to maintaining an active communication channel between the strategic stakeholders,
• invites Member States
  • when implementing Resolution 17 (Rev. Dubai, 2014) of this conference, on implementation of regionally approved initiatives at the national, regional, interregional and global levels, to select a project among those proposed for the regions that reflects optimal integration of ICTs with the aim of bridging the digital divide.