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

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. Administrative Parties Involved in the Tampere Convention

7. 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.

8. 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)

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

10. 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.

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. THANK YOU zavazava@itu.int Tel: +41 22 730 5447