World Summit on the Information Society
Open Consultation: Expression of Views on Venue for WSIS Forum 2011
Dear WSIS Stakeholders,
WSIS Forum 2010, which marked the fifth
anniversary of the World Summit on the Information Society, was a successful
event and gathered unprecedented number of participants. You can find details on
the WSIS Forum 2010 webpage http://www.itu.int/wsis/implementation/2010/forum/geneva/, they include: the final executive briefing, interviews, video clippings
and webcast of the event.
ITU, UNESCO, UNCTAD and UNDP are pleased to
announce that the WSIS Forum 2011 will be held from 16th to 20th of May 2011
(www.wsis.worg/forum). The year 2011 paves the way
for the path beyond the halfway point between the successful conclusion of the
WSIS in 2005 and 2015, the year by which world leaders are committed to attain
the internationally agreed development goals, including Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs) and WSIS targets. We need to redouble our efforts in the
implementation of the decisions with the determination to meet our own
commitments.
Taking into account the above mentioned considerations,
several WSIS Stakeholders suggested holding the WSIS Forum 2011 in New York. It
was considered that WSIS Forum 2011 in New York would offer several
opportunities for further improving the WSIS process and would help: a) enlarge
the geographic reach of the discussions on the implementation of the WSIS
decisions b) enhance visibility of ICT debates in UN diplomatic circles of NY;
which may result in better reflection of this aspect in the relevant UNGA
resolutions concerning economic, social, educational and cultural development,
particularly in the least developing countries, land-lock countries c) attract
new stakeholders, including international organizations, private sector and
civil society organizations active around the UN in New York, d) enhance
participation of NY based organizations, including, UNDP, UNDESA, UNICEF, UNOCHA
and others in WSIS implementation and follow-up process. It should also be noted
that the move of the event to NY may entail some logistical challenges for
organizers, may add to travel and visa expenses for participants as well as may
have implications for planning of next annual session of the Commission on
Science and Technology for Development, assisting ECOSOC as the focal point in
follow-up of WSIS.
In this context, building upon discussions during the
last WSIS Action Line Facilitators Meeting (14 May 2010) at WSIS Forum 2010, the
organizers are pleased to invite all WSIS Stakeholders to participate in an
Open Consultation to exchange their views on moving the venue of the WSIS
Forum from Geneva to New York.
The multi-stakeholder
on-line consultation will take place in three phases:
• Phase One:
10th August – 10th September 2010: Online
discussions at
• Phase
Two: Deadline for submitting official statements 12th
September 2010 at the online
submission page
• Phase Three: 13th – 14th September: Analysis of submitted
official statements
• Final Announcement of Results: 15th September 2010