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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Report from the open GFC meeting 6
September<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>This summary is only meant as a complement to the report,
already sent out by Chantal Peyer. We have tried to recapitulate the main
points made by the different stakeholder groups during the meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><u><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'><o:p><span style='text-decoration:none'> </span></o:p></span></font></u></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><u><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Interventions on evaluation and
benchmarking</span></font></u></b><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>UNTCAD</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>, thereafter
supported by UNESCO and the World Bank made two proposals, as highlighted by
the compilation of comments: 1) In para 11b “Digital opportunity
index” to be replaced by “the development of internationally comparable
indicators”. 2) A new para 30-bis mentioning the Global Partnership on
Measuring ICT for Development. </span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>As later on clarified by the <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>World Bank</span></b>, this initiative is related to
the need to develop realistic benchmarking based on comparable international
indicators, in order also to better assist developing countries in the setting
up of such indicators. </span></font><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>UNESCO</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> further
highlighted that the reference to action lines agreed in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
w:st="on">Geneva</st1:City></st1:place> could be specified, and also proposed
that its role should be strengthened at the regional level. An appropriate
inter-agency mechanism for cooperation and coordination should be established
under the UN CEB. UNESCO lastly stated that the ITU/UNESCO proposal of 21 May
was still on the table.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:country-region w:st="on"><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Egypt</span></font></b></st1:country-region><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> and <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Canada</span></b></st1:country-region></st1:place>
supported the partnership developed by UNCTAD for evaluation and benchmarking,
around the establishment of international comparable data. <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region></st1:place>, then supported by the World
Bank, further stressed the need to take into account the recent development on
that question, including on the specific nature if ICT opportunities in
developing countries. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><u><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Civil Society interventions<o:p></o:p></span></font></u></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Jean-Louis Fullsack (CFDPTT) </span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>proposed</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> a new para
10 underlining the need for ITU to adapt its organisation for a better and more
satisfactory involvement of civil society in its activities.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Second, he proposed a stronger link between ICT and access energy
in the document, with a better coordination among all stakeholders including
UNEP and ITU. Finally, he suggested an annual multi-stakeholder evaluation
mechanism, coordinated by the ITU, at regional, sub-regional and national
levels to follow up on the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Geneva</st1:City></st1:place>
objective that all villages in the developing world should have access to ICT
networks by 2015.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>WSIS CS Youth Caucus</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> and <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>Chantal Peyer (</span></b></span></font><b><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:
bold'>CS Informal Coalition on Financing)</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> the expressed
concern about the change of language in the whole document for
“implementation mechanism” to “follow-up process”. The
Caucus further proposed to change the “coulds” to
“shoulds” in <st1:place w:st="on">Para</st1:place>. 14b. Thus, the
caucus proposed a re-drafting of § 11 to ensure<b><span style='font-weight:
bold'> action-oriented and time-bound implementation and</span></b> follow-up”.
The caucus, later on supported by the CS Coalition on Financing also proposed to
re-convene WSIS stakeholders in 2010 and 2015. It also requested a strong reference
to the sustainability of the Digital Solidarity Fund and the need for multi-stakeholder
partnerships in closing the digital divide. Lastly it supported the
establishment of a World ICT (or ICT4D) Day. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Chantal Peyer </span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>stated later
on the need to</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> reaffirm the targets established by
the Geneva PoA and to find further agreement on the mechanisms required to
follow-up and monitor the implementation of those targets. According to this,
the </span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Informal Coalition recommended the establishment of </span></font><em><i><font
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-ZA style='font-style:normal'>multi-stakeholder
teams for each action line, with an identified coordination body, to be
reflected in §11</span></font></i></em><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>. In addition, she supported the
constitution of a multi-stakeholder mechanism such as the Global Alliance</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>. Lastly the
proposed IG Forum should be included in the WSIS implementation process, as
also stated by Bertrand de <st1:PersonName ProductID="la Chapelle." w:st="on">la
Chapelle.</st1:PersonName> </span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Francis Muguet (ENSTA)</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> expressed
that civil society was surprised by the changes that had been made in the
proposal. He was concerned by the shift towards the idea that now there should
be no coordinating body. He proposed that ITU could host the coordinating body,
and supported as well the initial proposal of multi-stakeholder implementation
teams. Further, he questioned whether WSIS could the social and economic field
of ECOSOC mandate as understood in UN GA Resolution 57/270. A legal framework
for multi-stakeholder partnership and coordinating body was needed.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Bertrand de <st1:PersonName
ProductID="la Chapelle" w:st="on">la Chapelle</st1:PersonName>
(wsis-online.net)</span></font></b><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> underlined that CS has no idea at
this stage of what governmental comments were during the previous day’s
closed GFC meeting. The organisation of open consultation is a very positive
mechanism, but CS must be more informed to ensure a more meaningful interaction
with the GFC. In addition, he emphasized the necessary interaction in a multi-stakeholder
follow-up framework. The proposed basis contained in the GFC draft proposal
should therefore be better achieved. He made some additional comments on the
language of the document (§ 10: “We <b><s><span style='font-weight:bold'>acknowledge</span></s>
affirm</b> that multi-stakeholder participation”; § 12: We <b><s><span
style='font-weight:bold'>encourage</span></s> pledge</b> governments to set up;
<b><s><span style='font-weight:bold'>have the possibility</span></s> should</b>
support).). Lastly, he raised the question of the many initiatives or funding
which do not come from international organisations, but from other stakeholders
and actors. They should be taken into account, so that more exchanges of
information should be promoted in the text of the GFC proposal. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Francis Muguet (ENSTA)</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> noticed
that the WSIS would be the first UN Summit organised after the release on the
integration of UN Conferences follow-up. Therefore, if the WSIS is an economic
and social summit, the UN Resolution 57/270 should be applied, taking into
account the innovative context of the UN reform. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><u><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Private Sector intervention<o:p></o:p></span></font></u></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><u><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'><o:p><span style='text-decoration:none'> </span></o:p></span></font></u></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Ayesha Hassan (CCBI)</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> first
proposed that “outcome” replaces “process” in para 11,
to make the text more action-oriented. The importance of multi-stakeholder
partnership should not only be limited to the ITU initiative <i><span
style='font-style:italic'>Connect the World</span></i>. She also made some
comments regarding non state actors speaking time repartition during the work
of Sub-Committee B, requesting more flexibility to guarantee a right of
response to government comments. She also asked whether observers could be
allowed attend to the work of drafting groups.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><u><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>States interventions<o:p></o:p></span></font></u></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><u><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'><o:p><span style='text-decoration:none'> </span></o:p></span></font></u></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>In addition to the strong statement from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on"><b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Brazil</span></b></st1:country-region></st1:place>,
a few other delegations also took the floor. <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>UK,
on behalf of the EU</span></b>, stressed the priority of a multi-stakeholder
involvement to WSIS. Stating that this proposed text should not at his stage be
too prescriptive and too detailed, the UK supported it as a GFC input, but
asserted that further comments would come from the EU at later stages of the
process. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:country-region w:st="on"><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Russia</span></font></b></st1:country-region><b><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:
bold'> </span></font></b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>supported that a coordination body can be found before <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">Tunis</st1:State></st1:place> within existing
structures of UN, since WSIS should be considered as a socio-economic UN
summit.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><b><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:
bold'>Egypt</span></font></b></st1:country-region></st1:place><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> stressed that a
clear mention should be made to the role of ICTs for development. Lastly, the
view of all stakeholders should be considered in the work of the UN system
committees in charge of technological issues, in order to better reflect on the
role such committees could participate in the WSIS process after <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">Tunis</st1:State></st1:place>. <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on"><b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Cuba</span></b></st1:country-region></st1:place>
agreed that modalities included in § 14-e could be one option for a UN
inter-agency coordination mechanism, but other options should also be
considered by States before taking a decision.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Report by <st1:PersonName w:st="on">Philippe Dam</st1:PersonName>
and Jette Madsen<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:PersonName w:st="on"><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Renate Bloem</span></font></st1:PersonName><br>
<font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>President
of the Conference of NGOs (<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">CONGO</st1:place></st1:country-region>)<br>
11, Avenue de la Paix<br>
CH-1202 <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Geneva</st1:place></st1:City><br>
Tel: +41 22 301 1000<br>
Fax: +41 22 301 2000<br>
E-mil: <a href="mailto:rbloem@ngocongo.org">rbloem@ngocongo.org</a><br>
Website: <a href="http://www.ngocongo.org">www.ngocongo.org</a></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>The Conference of NGOs (CONGO) is an international,
membership association that facilitates the participation of NGOs in United
Nations debates and decisions. Founded in 1948, <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">CONGO</st1:place></st1:country-region>'s major objective is to
ensure the presence of NGOs in exchanges among the world's governments and
United Nations agencies on issues of global concern. For more information
see our website at <a href="http://www.ngocongo.org">www.ngocongo.org</a></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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