Establishment of UN ICT Task Force

1. Second Meeting of theRegional Agency Working Group on Information Communication and Technologies (ICT)11 March 2002, BangkokEstablishment of the Asian Pacific Network ofUnited Nations ICT Task Force(note by ESCAP secretariat)

2. I. Ministerial Declaration of ECOSOC 2000 1. proposed to establish UN ICT Task force with objectives: (a) to provide overall leadership to UN role in ICT; (b) putting ICT in service for development; and (c) for giving a strategic partnership of stakeholders 2. Set the mandate, composition and modalities operation II. ICT Task Force endorsed by the Millennium Declaration Establishment of UN ICT Task Force

3. III. Secretary General consultations with stakeholders IV. ECOSOC approved recommendations of the Advisory Group on ICT in March 2001 V. Secretary General appointed members of the ICT Task Force. Representatives of 18 member states, 8 private sector, 4 NGOs and 6 United Nations VI. Small core secretariat of the Task Force was established VII. First meeting of the ICT Task Force was held in November 2001 Establishment of UN ICT Task Force(Cont’d)

4. 1. Network modalities 2. Four regional networks (Africa, Latin America, Asia and Middle East) be built on the basis of existing institution and initiatives serve as one-stop-shops for providing regional and sub-regional perspective UN Regional Commissions are expected to play a key role Regional Networks of the ICT Task Force

5. To discuss modalities and the plan of action for the establishment of the Asian Network Agenda for discussions working mechanisms of the network purpose, objectives and functions of the network members of the network/secretariat of the network First Preparatory Meeting for Setting up of the Regional Network of ICT Task Force

6. plan of action for the establishment of the network regional network website others Preparation for WSIS 2003 - interconnection between the regional network and the regional preparation for WSIS and other regional initiatives in ICT First Preparatory Meeting for Setting up of the Regional Network of ICT Task Force (Cont’d)

7. United Nations Bodies: UN-ESCAP; UNDP; and Asia-Pacific Development Information Programme(APDIP) Specialized Agencies and RelatedOrganizations:UNESCO, World Bank; ITU; Inter-governmental Organizations:APT; ADB, SEAMEO Other Entities: AIT, ITU Association of Japan, Inc.; Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (India); Ministry of Science and Technology (Thailand); Ministry of Transport and Communication (Thailand); Telecommunication Association of Thailand (TTC) ------------------- List of Participants

8. I. Objectives and Activities of the Network 1.1 provide region-specific support to bridge global digital divide, foster digital opportunity and put ICT in the service of development for all 1.2 identify regional goals and priorities 1.3 add value through development of collaborative partnerships among relevant stakeholders in the region 1.4 provide regional forums for ICT for development related issues Decisions of the Meeting

9. 1.5 promote coherence and synergy of the existing/ongoing initiatives 1.6 promote public-private partnership and best practices, especially, for improving education and training of human resources development and local education content 1.7 promote leadership sensitization and cooperation of regional economies as well as mobilize other actors to highlight and address gaps and constraints 1.8 liase with the UN ICT Task Force, other regional networks and global ICT stakeholders Decisions of the Meeting (Cont’d)

10. II. Working Mechanism of the Network 2.1 be based on the existing initiatives and networks available in the region 2.2 existing network will continue to operate under current leadership 2.3 creation of new networks whenever required 2.4 intensively use ICT for operation (internet, teleconferences, e-mail, website, website newsletter 2.5 establishment of a steering coordinating committee and a small secretariat on cost sharing basis Decisions of the Meeting (Cont’d)

11. 1. Membership is open to all stakeholders in Asia and the Pacific 2. Members of the network (a) National Governments (b) Private Sector (c) International/Inter-governmental organizations (d) Educational Research and Training Institutes (e) NGOs Membership

12. 1. The creation of a network advisory panel consisting of representatives of the Governments, civil societies, private sectors and academies 2. The setting up of the working groups similar to the working groups of the ICT Task Force 3. The launch of e-Policy Newsletter 1. Suggested Activities of the Regional Network

13. 4. Publication of a bi-annual state-of-the art review of ICT usage 5. Preparation of the inventory of resource persons 6. Designation of network centers of excellence on specific topics 7. One stop network website 1. Suggested Activities of the Regional Network

14. Rely on the resources available Undertake fund raising for specific activities Receive some income from its services and advertisement Resources of the Regional Network

15. Small coordinating secretariat Secretariat functions to be decentralized Offer from ESCAP, APDIP, APT, ITU, UNESCO, MIT Media Lab Secretariat of the Regional Network

16. 1. Joining the Regional Network of the UNICT Task Force 2. Members of the Working Group may consider: - their contribution to the Network and the Network secretariat - provision of advice on NGOs to be invited as network members Suggestions for the Working Group

17. - provision of advice on private firms to be invited to become the network members - provision of advice on existing ICT networks to become collective members of the Regional Network Suggestions for the Working Group (Cont’d)