1. International Telecommunication Union Report on the Facilitation of WSIS Action Line C2 Document ALC2C4C6/3/03-E Emamgholi Behdad Chief of Projects and Initiatives Department Telecommunication Development Bureau International Telecommunication Union

2. April 2008 2 Action Line C2 facilitation process ITU-UNDP Joint Facilitation Meeting ITU-UNDP Joint Facilitation Meeting on WSIS Action Lines C2, C4, C6 16 May 2007, ITU Headquarters Objective: To encourage synergies across three action lines focusing on the infrastructure, enabling environment and capacity building. Results Results Reaffirmation of the willingness to follow agreed directions of the facilitation framework in particular facilitation of the implementation of large scale impact making initiatives and development of thematic activities. Approval of Plan of Action directed towards six components

3. April 2008 3 Plan of Action ICT strategies Promotion of national ICT strategies Harmonization Harmonization of the ICT policies in different regions large-scaleinitiatives Development of regional and large-scale national initiatives ICT infrastructure initiatives Launch of global thematic ICT infrastructure initiatives Virtual Financing Platform Development of a Virtual Financing Platform Deployment of an online tool for ICT development assessment

4. April 2008 4 Three Pillars for Facilitation of the Action Line C2: ICT Infrastructure WTDC-06 6 Programmes 6 Special Initiatives 2 Actions Regional Initiatives - Africa - Asia-Pacific - Americas - Arab Region - CIS Resource mobilization - ITU-D Projects Connect the World - Multi-stakeholder partnership platform Physical Meetings (May 2008) WSIS Stocktaking Virtual Working Methods and Space Large Scale Projects Facilitation ALC2 PLAN OF ACTION Promotion of National ICT- Strategies Harmonization of the ICT Policies in the different regions Development of regional and large-scale national initiatives Launch of global thematic ICT Infrastructure initiatives Development of a Virtual Financing Platform Deployment of an Online Tool for ICT Development Assessment

5. April 2008 5 ITU Activities Related to Action Line C2 – ICT Infrastructure national reporting on WSIS implementation ICT Strategies: Update of the information on the national reporting on WSIS implementation reflecting status of development of the ICT-strategies; development of large scale project focusing on the harmonization ICT policies in three regions Harmonization of the ICT policies: In collaboration with the European Commission development of large scale project focusing on the harmonization ICT policies in three regions, including Sub-Saharan countries, Caribbean countries and Pacific Island States; Coordination with the regional and international institutions: Coordination with the regional and international institutions: focusing on large scale projects, in collaboration with potential partners. Activities under OP-07 relevant to Action line C2; virtual space dedicated to the thematic ICT infrastructure initiatives Launch of the virtual space dedicated to the thematic ICT infrastructure initiatives. Its functionality will be resumed and customized based on stakeholders requests;

6. April 2008 6 ITU Connect Summit Series: Connect Africa Connect Africa Summit Kigali, Rwanda, October 2007, Over 1 000 participants Focus Broadband infrastructure Access networks and rural connectivity Capacity-building Applications and services Enabling environment 55 billion dollars committed Mainly from industry but also from development banks and other partners

7. April 2008 7 Plan of Action and 2008 Activities Action Activity to be undertaken in 2008 Promotion of National ICT- Strategies - Update of the database on the National Strategies on WSIS Implementation and ICT Strategies Harmonization of the ICT Policies in the different regions -ITU-EU Project -Harmonization of ICT Policies: Sub-Saharan countries -Harmonization of ICT Policies: Caribbean countries Development of regional and large-scale national initiatives - ITU-D Regional Initiatives Facilitation - Feasibility Studies for Connecting Africa Launch of global thematic ICT infrastructure initiatives - Virtual Working Space: Goals and its Functionalities to be determined Development of a Virtual Financing Platform (VFP) - VFP to be launched in 2008 Deployment of an Online Tool for ICT Development Assessment - ITU Global View as ICT infrastructure watch

8. April 2008 8 2008 BDT Activities related to the ALC2 Approximately 50 activities relevant to the WSIS ALC2 Approximately 50 activities relevant to the WSIS ALC2 25 activities related to the network development; broadband connectivity; access in rural areas; 4 activities related to e-strategies and ICT applications; 7 activities related to the economics and finance; 7 activities related to the least developed counties and emergency telecommunications; 2 activities related to partnership and promotion; 5 activities related to the private sector, gender, youth, indigenous people and people with disabilities. Coordination with national, regional and international organizations focused on large scale infrastructure projects, such as Coordination with national, regional and international organizations focused on large scale infrastructure projects, such as AfDP, ADB, Mc Caw Foundation, European Commission, Microsoft, AMD

9. International Telecommunication Union Thank you very much for your attention! Emamgholi Behdad Chief of Projects and Initiatives Department Telecommunication Development Bureau International Telecommunication Union