The United Nations will launch a network of information and communications technology (ICT) specialists from Arab countries to assist the region in using ICT to implement the international development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals, on 18 June in Damascus, Syria.
The Arab Regional network will be the Arabic focal point for the Global Alliance for ICT and Development of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA GAID). The network will provide stakeholders, including governments, international organizations, businesses, NGOs and academia from the Arabic region, a permanent platform to exchange on strategies, plans and experiences to advance the MDGs and the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS).
“Turning commitments into results demands a truly multi-stakeholder effort, involving not only national governments and intergovernmental organizations but also regional and local governments, the private sector, civil society, media, academia and the general public. Collaboration among all stakeholders at all levels from policy through implementation will be necessary to successfully realize our common goals”, says Sarbuland Khan, the Executive Coordinator of UNDESA GAID.
A Steering Group for the Regional Arab Network will be established at the launch to coordinate activities, and to encourage regular exchanges between members.
The launch of the network will come at the end of a three-day meeting of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). The meeting is a follow-up on the outcomes of the WSIS. The gathering will consider the Regional Plan of Action for building the Information Society in Western Asia, the Arab ICT Strategy and other national strategies and plans of action.
Participants will discuss a progress report highlighting the implementation activities related to WSIS outcomes, the Regional Plan of Action and the Arab ICT Strategy. They are expected to update the regional action plan by agreeing on a list of new projects that target the needs and realities of the Information Society for the period extending from 2009 to 2015. The meeting is also to decide on a roadmap for the implementation and follow-up of future WSIS-related activities.
