FROM WITFOR to WSIS TUNIS

1. FROM WITFOR to WSIS TUNIS Prof. Nadia Hegazi Senior Expert For International Relations Ministry Of Telecommunications And Information Technology

2. The Main Concern is: • To create and activate the knowledge economy focused on extending Internet connectivity in the African states and the developing countries • To generate growth through translating connectivity into economic activities stimulating services, applications and content that create new markets and reduce costs and eventually increase productivity throughout the economy. • Collaborate previous efforts and presenting guidelines for critical areas

3. Aspects of the African Information Society • Capacity Building, human resource development, education and training. • E-Government and serving the citizens. • Cultural Diversity and Supporting Multilingual Content.

4. Aspects of African Information SocietyCont’d • Building a regional information infrastructure and info-structure • Trade, Commerce, research and development and Piracy in ICT. • Security Issues.

5. The opportunity • The information society is an excellent chance for : • Developing other sectors • Developing an ICT sector by itself • Socio economic development

6. SOLIDARITY • Solidarity in our Thinking • Solidarity of our Markets • Solidarity of our Finance

7. The WSIS and Africa • The WSIS has had consensus on all point relevant to the requirements of the west • All the issues relevant to Africa and developing countries were deferred to Tunis

8. ISSUES THAT NEED FURTHER DEVELOPMENT • FUNDING • INTERNET GOVERNANCE • FOLLOWUP MECHANISMS

9. BEST PRACTICES • DEBT SWAPPING EG WHAT HAPPENED IN EGYPT

10. FOLLOW UP • WE SHOULD USE OUR OWN INSTITUTES EG E-AFRICA COMMISSION AND ECA

11. WITFOR WORKS ON SETTING THE SCENE FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

12. Urgency of Regional Integration Creating Regional Network: • This network is based on centers to transfer data, and focal Internet exchanges in the region. Such centers are the corner stones and base of this network. • Data centers and exchanges require fast connecting lines of fiber optics to link such points together.

13. Urgency of Regional Integration • Regional integration is believed to be an essential condition to cut down on the cost of ICT services and provide better security

14. Urgency of Regional Integration: Cont’d • This regional network is connected, on one hand, with corresponding ones in other regions (such as Europe, Asia, and others) • On the other hand, this network is connected with national networks of the region.

15. Building a Regional Information Infrastructure and Info-structure • Bulk purchase of International bandwidth to reduce cost of internet connectivity to the international backbone through coordination with the e-Africa commission. • Establishing own data centers or will set peering agreements with the existing data centers in the region, thus preventing regional communication from passing into other regions

16. SOLIDARITY • Pooling our money is one thing • Pooling our Resources • 1-Training resources South –South • 2-pooling our expertise • 3-integrating our markets • 4-Chances for Job Creation

17. TRADE AND COMMERCE IN THE INFORMATION SOCIETY • The implementation of a regional root Certificate of Authority (CoA); • Multilateral and/or bilateral agreements on electronic commerce and trade;

18. WHAT DO WE WANT FROM THE TUNIS PHASE • Do we want declarations?????? • No • Do we have to wait till Tunis for projects • Why ????????

19. WHAT SHOULD WE DO • Start our work from now

20. WE MEET NEXT TIME WITH ACTION IN PLACE • THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND ATTENTION

21. www.mcit.gov.eg