The Tampere Convention: its importance, and challenges to its ratification and implementation Using ICT for Effective Disaster Management Egypt, Alexandria 14-17 April 2007 Dr. Cosmas L. Zavazava, PhD. HEAD, EMERGENCY TELECOMMUNICATIONS LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES, SMALL ISLANDS &

Telecommunication standardization - network and service aspects WHO WE ARE 190 Member States 700 Sector Members ITU Helping the World Communicate ITU-D Assisting implementation and operation of telecommunications in developing countries ITU-T Telecommunication standardization - network and service aspects ITU-R Radiocommunication standardization and global radio spectrum management

What is the Tampere Convention What is the Tampere Convention? ”Tampere Convention on the Provision of Telecommunication Resources for Disaster Mitigation and Relief Operations.” Simplifies : the trans-border importation and use of telecoms equipment Use of allocated frequencies Customs duties, fees and procedures Restrictions on movement of personnel The “Tampere Hall” in Tampere, Finland, where the treaty on Telecommunication for Disaster Mitigation was signed on 18 June 1998.

Process of Ratification A State may express its consent to be bound by the Convention by any of the following means: By definitive signature By signature subject to ratification, acceptance, or approval followed by deposit of an instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval By deposit of an instrument of ratification

Actions Required from Member States Ratification Implementation Make an inventory of resources available (equipment, personnel, etc.) for disaster mitigation and relief Develop a telecommunications action plan that identifies the steps necessary to deploy the resources

Administrative Parties Involved in the Tampere Convention

Challenges in Ratifying Weak Institutions Lack of Awareness Fear of the Unknown Regional Treaties e.g. E.U. waiting to ratify as a block The “Tampere Hall” in Tampere, Finland, where the treaty on Telecommunication for Disaster Mitigation was signed. 18 June 1998.

National & Regional (Policy issues) Technology policy Stimulating the economy by fostering innovation and technological development Industrial policy Shaping industrial structure stimulating structural change, supporting competitiveness = Growth and employment ICT policy Needs to redefine sectoral policies, boundaries, institutions and regulations To include disaster mitigation methods Media policy Defining the framework for provision of electronic media content (audio and visual sector) that include disaster risk reduction Telecommunication policy Creating and shaping resilient transmission infrastructure (provision of communication services)

Facilitators: Involvement of Multi-stakeholders Industry / Private Sector State executive and legislature ICT Society Academia / Science and technology community Civil society / NGOs

ITU Assistance : Tampere Convention Production of Manuals and Handbooks Strengthening of Regulatory Framework National multi-stakeholder Workshops as part of training The “Tampere Hall” in Tampere, Finland, where the treaty on Telecommunication for Disaster Mitigation was signed. 18 June 1998.

ASSISTING MEMBER STATES Increasingly, Member States are requesting assistance as part of their regulatory and legal framework reform Regions are seeking assistance as a block e.g. from 30 May to 1 June, ITU will be launching a project for countries in the Central African region on the ratification and implementation of the Convention

WSIS Tunis Agenda Action Lines Possible moderators/facilitators С1. The role of public governance authorities and all stakeholders in the promotion of ICTs for development ECOSOC/UN Regional Commissions/ITU С2. Information and communication infrastructure ITU C3. Access to information and knowledge ITU/UNESCO C4. Capacity building UNDP/UNESCO/ITU/UNCTAD C5. Building confidence and security in the use of ICTs C6. Enabling environment ITU/UNDP/UN REGIONAL COMMISSIONS/UNCTAD C7. ICT Applications E-government E-business E-learning E-health E-employment E-environment E-agriculture E-science   UNDP/ITU WTO/UNCTAD/ITU/UPU UNESCO/ITU/UNIDO WHO/ITU ILO/ITU WHO/WMO/UNEP/UN-Habitat/ITU/ICAO FAO/ITU UNESCO/ITU/UNCTAD C8. Cultural diversity and identity, linguistic diversity and local content UNESCO C9. Media C10. Ethical dimensions of the Information Society UNESCO/ECOSOC C11. International and regional cooperation UN Regional Comms./UNDP/ITU/UNESCO/ECOSOC

SUMMARY Tampere Convention Puts in place a structure for managing requests for assistance Creates mechanisms for establishing best practices, model agreements, etc. Facilitates emergency telecoms before disasters occur Protects the interests of host states The Convention came into effect on 8 January 2005

THANK YOU zavazava@itu.int Tel: +41 22 730 5447 www.itu.int/ITU-D/emergencytelecoms/