Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT)

Transcription

1 Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) Ref. BDT/DM/180 Geneva, 12 April 2012 Contact: Andrew Rugege, Regional Director - Administrations of Member States of Telephone: the Union; Telefax: ITU-D Sector Members and Associates - Regional Organizations itu-addis@itu.int Subject: ITU Annual Regional Development Forum for Africa, 9 11 May 2012, Kigali, Rwanda Dear Sir/Madam, I have the pleasure to inform you that, at the kind invitation of the Government of Rwanda, the ITU Annual Regional Development Forum for Africa which will be held from 9 to 11 May 2012 in Kigali, Rwanda. I would therefore like to take this opportunity to invite you to participate in this forum. The main aim of this Regional Development Forum is to brief decision-makers of ITU Member States and Sector Members on the key achievements and future plans related to the Development Sector in all areas covered by the WTDC Action Plan and get feedback from the membership that may have an impact on its workplan in between WTDCs. The forum will also discuss the theme promoting equitable access to ICTs. The Rwanda Ministry of ICTs in the Office of the President also wishes to use this occasion to officially celebrate the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) which normally falls on the 17th May. The theme of this year s celebration is Women and Girls in ICT and Rwanda would like to acknowledge the contribution of Women and Girls in ICTs at the National level during the first day of the Forum, 9 th May The Regional Development Forum is open to all ITU Member States, Sector Members and Associates. All discussions will be held in English and French with simultaneous interpretation provided. Please note that the Regional Development Forum is a paperless event. All documents, including updated versions will be posted at Participants should register online at International Telecommunication Union Place des Nations CH-1211 Geneva 20 Switzerland Тел.: Факс: / Эл. почта: bdtmail@itu.int

2 Additional information with respect to programme, entry visa, registration, hotel reservation as well as other practical and general information are available on the ITU web site: at D/afr/events/RDF/.For any clarification concerning practical information on hotels, visa and transportation please contact the national coordinator of the Forum in Rwanda, Mr. Abraham Makuza at or tel For any further information on the meeting, please contact: Ms. Chali Tumelo ITU Senior Adviser ITU Regional Office for Africa Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA Tel.: / Fax: Yours faithfully, [Original signed] Brahima Sanou Director Annex: 1. Draft Agenda and working programme 2. Rwanda practical information

3 ANNEX 1 ITU REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT FORUM FOR AFRICA REGION PROMOTING EQUITABLE ACCESS TO ICTs KIGALI, RWANDA 9-11 May 2012 DRAFT PROGRAMME Day 1, May Opening session: Welcome address, Keynote addresses, Objective: This session will combine the opening of the Forum and the celebration of Rwanda s Girls in ICT Day and the World Telecommunications and Information Society Day (WTISD). A successful African woman ICT professional will address the Forum as a role model to young girls in the ICT. This will be followed by an award ceremony to Rwandese successful ICT women and girls. Welcome by MC Opening remarks from Minister of ICT in the Office of the President, Rwanda Opening Remarks from ITU Director of BTD Goodwill message Secretary General, ATU Distinguished Address Successful African Woman ICT professional o Awards and celebrations of Rwanda Girls in ICT Day Keynote Address by Guest of Honour and Exhibition from Women & Girls in ICT Session 1. ITU structure, mandate and context (Regional Presence, programmes, Initiatives and Operational Plan) Objective: This session will focus on ITU s key achievements and challenges in implementation of Programmes and Resolutions of the WTDC-10 and PP-10 including Regional Initiatives, developments on Strengthening of the Regional Presence in Africa Region. Chairperson: Member State Minister Presenters: ITU Regional Director for Africa Lunch Session 2. Trends in ICT towards equitable access to ICTs Objective: This session will focus on promotion of equitable access to ICT. It will include trends in global ICT development, achievements, opportunities and challenges with special focus for Africa. It will also address issues and strategies adopted in WTDC-10 for equitable access to ICTs. Speakers/Panelists (Names to be advised) Trends in ICT: Policy and Regulations for facilitating equitable access to the ICTs, including legal framework, harmonization and enforcement.

4 Trends in ICT: Infrastructure development and the role of terrestrial backhauls and access networks in ensuring equitable access Session 2 continued.trends in ICT: Applications and localized content development for all Trends in ICT: Broadcasting Digital Migration and Digital Dividend in Africa Chairperson: Minister from Rwanda (host country) Day 2, May 10 Session 3. Activity Reports Objective: This session will focus on Activities being undertaken by the ITU, Regional and International Organizations to promote equitable access to ICTs at National and Region levels. Chairperson/Moderator: Minister/Vice Minister from one of the countries/broadband Commissioner Presenters/Panelists to be named. ITU-D Activities to promote the Equitable Access to ICT Lunch Activities by Regional and International Organizations Session 4. Member States sharing Experience Objective: This session will focus on sharing experiences for promoting equitable access to ICTs at national and regional Levels by the ITU Membership. Experiences will be shared by the following countries: Angola. Rwanda Senegal Sierra Leone Day 3, May 11 Session 5. Collaborations, Partnerships and membership Objective: This session will highlight how equitable access to ICTs can be achieved through collaboration and partnerships including the Public and Private partnerships (PPPs), and the benefits and roles of the ITU Sector Members in its realization Chairperson/Moderator/Broadband Commissioner: Presenters/Panelists: ITU Partnership and Membership Division Sector Member from the Private Sector Session 5. Reporting and closing

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