 |
|
| :: The Nairobi Accord | |
 |
Delegates and participants of the CTO conference on implementing the WSIS Action Plan have resolved to encourage all stakeholders involved in the WSIS process to familiarise themselves with the requirements of the WSIS Action Plan, especially as they relate to the fulfillment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). They further asked stakeholders in the ICT development process to support the further development of the CTO Roadmap and any other relevant new initiatives, utilising them as instruments and mechanisms for facilitating the capacity of developing countries in their efforts to achieve MDG/WSIS objectives. This was contained in a resolution termed, "The Nairobi Accord" approved by consensus by the delegates and the participants at the end of the conference held in Nairobi, Kenya. Organised by the CTO and AITEC, the conference aimed at providing countries in the region as well as the international community, with the opportunity to understand and share the challenges faced in the execution of the WSIS Action Plan agreed on in December 2003 in Geneva. The sessions of the conference was attended by ministers, heads of regulatory bodies, senior executives of development agencies, major corporations, local diplomatic representatives, and other stakeholder organizations. The resolution read, "we the delegates and participants of the CTO conference on implementing the WSIS Action Plan held 25-26 March 2004 in Nairobi Kenya; recognising the important role of ICT in the development process, approve by consensus this accord". The resolution acknowledged the declaration of the principles and Action Plan approved by some 50 heads of State and Government and 11,000 delegates in Geneva, December 2003. It said it recognise the many challenges that face developing countries as they attempt to help fulfill the requirements of the WSIS Action Plan and to achieve the relevant targets contained in the MDGs. It said it was aware of the obligations of the other stakeholders, especially international organisations, financial organisations, institutions, the private sector, civil society and ICT consumers, in ensuring the efficient execution of the WSIS Action Plan. The resolution expressed appreciation for the considerable progress that many developing countries especially in Africa have made in promoting the role of ICTs and attempting to achieve the targets of the MDGs. It noted the vital role that various forms of partnershops and strategic alliances such as public/private partnerships (PPPs) can play in helping countries make further progress. The resolution affirmed the value of the contributions that partners of developing nations can make in supporting their efforts, through stronger international cooperation and financial assistance. It further commended the wide range of assistance that agencies such as the United Nations (ITU, UNDP, UNECA) the World Bank Group and other multilateral and bilateral agencies, provide to developing countries to enable them to achieve their ICT and MDG aspirations. It said that it supports the desire of developing countries to strengthen relations among themselves and to take such policy measures as will justly increase international support for their ICT strategies and programmes. It said it accepts that the CTO Roadmap constitutes a feasible mechanism for ensuring compliance by developing countries with the requirements of MDG/WSIS Action Plans.
"The Nairobi Accord" We the delegates and participants of the CTO conference on implementing the WSIS Action Plan held 25th-26th 2004 in Nairobi, Kenya; Recognising the important role that ICTs play in the development process; Acknowledging the declaration of principles and the Action Plan approved by some 50 Heads of State and Government with partial acknowledgement by Civil Society organisations and 11000 delegates in Geneva, December 2003; Cognisant of the many challenges that face developing countries as they attempt to help fulfil the requirements of the WSIS Action Plan and to achieve the relevant targets contained in the Millennium Development Goals; Aware of the obligations of the other stakeholders, especially international organisations, regional organisations, financial institutions, the private sector, civil society and ICT consumers, in ensuring the efficient execution of the WSIS Action Plan; Identifying the need to establish a viable WSIS –05 Regional coordinating mechanism to maintain effective and close follow up of the plan of action (WSIS–05 RF) Appreciating the considerable progress that many developing countries, especially African have made in promoting the role of ICTs and attempting to achieve the targets of the MDGs; Noting the vital role that various forms of partnerships and strategic alliances such as public/private partnerships (PPPs) & social partnerships can play in helping countries make further progress. Affirming the value of the contributions that partners of developing nations can make in supporting their efforts, through stronger International cooperation and financial assistance; Commending the wide range of assistance that agencies such as the United Nations (ITU, UNDP, UNECA, etc) the World Bank Group and other multilateral and bilateral agencies, provide to developing countries to enable them to achieve their ICT and MDG aspirations; Supporting the desire of developing countries to strengthen relations among themselves and to take such policy measures as will justify increased international support for their ICT strategies and programmes; Considering the need to develop ICT policies and strategies based on a human rights framework; Accepting that the CTO “Road Map” can constitute a feasible mechanism for ensuring compliance by developing countries with the requirements of MDG/WSIS Action Plans; Hereby resolve to: 1. Encourage all stakeholders involved in the WSIS process to familiarise themselves with the requirements of the WSIS Action Plan, especially as they relate to the fulfilment of the MDGs. 2. Ask stakeholders in the ICT development process to support the further development of the CTO “Road Map” and any other relevant new initiatives, utilising them as instruments and mechanisms for facilitating the capacity of developing countries in their efforts to achieve MDG/WSIS objectives. Approved by consensus this 26th day of March 2004 |
