WSIS implementation and follow-up WSIS implementation and follow-up its specificity, its challengesits specificity, its challenges

Charles Geiger, UNCTADCharles Geiger, UNCTADSpecial Adviser to the CSTDSpecial Adviser to the CSTD

Geneva, May 2008Geneva, May 2008

WSIS, a successful UN Summit

Of the 12 UN Summits that were held up to now, Of the 12 UN Summits that were held up to now, WSIS is considered to be among the most WSIS is considered to be among the most successful ones. successful ones.

WSIS has opened also the door WSIS has opened also the door more than any more than any other UN Summit beforeother UN Summit before for civil society and for civil society and business entities, it was a true multi-stakeholder business entities, it was a true multi-stakeholder event.event.

To better understand WSIS implementation and To better understand WSIS implementation and follow-up, we have to go back to the history of follow-up, we have to go back to the history of the Summit. We need to understand the the Summit. We need to understand the specificities of WSIS. There were three main specificities of WSIS. There were three main specificities: A. The special content, B. the fact specificities: A. The special content, B. the fact that ITU was the lead Agency, and C. the multi-that ITU was the lead Agency, and C. the multi-stakeholder approach. stakeholder approach.

A. The special content (1)

Previous UN Summits dealt mostly with a specific Previous UN Summits dealt mostly with a specific problem that had to be solved (gender, problem that had to be solved (gender, sustainable development, population etc.).sustainable development, population etc.).

WSIS dealt with “the future”, with the coming WSIS dealt with “the future”, with the coming Information Society. Some say it was the first Information Society. Some say it was the first Summit of the 21st century. In the words of Kofi Summit of the 21st century. In the words of Kofi Annan: “WSIS is a Summit of opportunities”.Annan: “WSIS is a Summit of opportunities”.

A. The special content (2)

When you deal with a problem, you try to solve it When you deal with a problem, you try to solve it by negotiating the core concerns, and you try to by negotiating the core concerns, and you try to keep these core concerns as restricted as keep these core concerns as restricted as possible, (e.g. in the case of carbon emissions, possible, (e.g. in the case of carbon emissions, you basically try to negotiate a percentage and a you basically try to negotiate a percentage and a time frame). time frame).

When you deal with opportunities, you can accept When you deal with opportunities, you can accept dozens of proposals, recommendations and dozens of proposals, recommendations and commitments. As a result, the Geneva commitments. As a result, the Geneva Declaration has ten targets, and more than 160 Declaration has ten targets, and more than 160

recommendations and commitmentsrecommendations and commitments. .

A. The special content (3)

By doing so, you can make everybody happy, but By doing so, you can make everybody happy, but it is difficult to follow up on so many targets, it is difficult to follow up on so many targets, recommendations and commitments.recommendations and commitments.

And it is impossible to negotiate for every And it is impossible to negotiate for every recommendation and commitment who should recommendation and commitment who should take the lead, who should be in charge, and what take the lead, who should be in charge, and what the indicators and the benchmarks could be. This the indicators and the benchmarks could be. This is one of the weaknesses of the adopted texts is one of the weaknesses of the adopted texts and one of the difficulties in follow-up of WSIS and one of the difficulties in follow-up of WSIS

B. The lead Agency (1)B. The lead Agency (1)

In December 2001, in the UN General Assembly In December 2001, in the UN General Assembly Resolution 56/183, the UNGA resolved thatResolution 56/183, the UNGA resolved that ““the Summit is to be convened under the patronage of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, with the International Telecommunication Union taking the lead role in its preparation, in cooperation with interested United Nations bodies and other international organizations as well as the host countries,”

WSIS was the first UN System Summit to be WSIS was the first UN System Summit to be organized by a Specialised Agency.organized by a Specialised Agency.

That ITU was to take the lead in the organization That ITU was to take the lead in the organization of the Summit had a number of consequences. of the Summit had a number of consequences. With regard to our theme of measuring the With regard to our theme of measuring the information society, I would just like to point out information society, I would just like to point out one consequence:one consequence:

B. The lead Agency (2)B. The lead Agency (2)

Very often, the diplomats dealing with WSIS were Very often, the diplomats dealing with WSIS were the same that dealt also with ITU matters. This the same that dealt also with ITU matters. This influenced not only the setting of the WSIS-influenced not only the setting of the WSIS-Agenda but also the outcome documents. Agenda but also the outcome documents.

The approach was often more technical than The approach was often more technical than development-oriented. Only few development development-oriented. Only few development Agencies remained active in the WSIS process. Agencies remained active in the WSIS process. The outcome documents The outcome documents assumeassume that ICTs have that ICTs have an incidence on poverty reduction and the MDGs, an incidence on poverty reduction and the MDGs, but the outcome documents lack a conceptual but the outcome documents lack a conceptual framework how ICTs influence development and framework how ICTs influence development and poverty reductionpoverty reduction. .

C. The multi-stakeholder approachC. The multi-stakeholder approach During the Agenda setting process of WSIS, During the Agenda setting process of WSIS,

Governments had to realize that WSIS touched on Governments had to realize that WSIS touched on several matters where Governments were not the several matters where Governments were not the first and not the main stakeholder.first and not the main stakeholder.

The other stakeholders of the Information Society The other stakeholders of the Information Society needed to be involved in the process, without needed to be involved in the process, without changing the character of a UN Summit as an changing the character of a UN Summit as an intergovernmental undertaking.intergovernmental undertaking.

Governments had to agree on practical solutions Governments had to agree on practical solutions to involve the observers in the drafting process, to involve the observers in the drafting process, without changing the standard rules of without changing the standard rules of procedures for UN Summits (these practical procedures for UN Summits (these practical solutions were called the “WSIS practice”). solutions were called the “WSIS practice”).

Outcome of the Geneva Summit:Outcome of the Geneva Summit: Geneva Declaration and Plan of ActionGeneva Declaration and Plan of Action

The Geneva Declaration of Principles and the The Geneva Declaration of Principles and the Geneva Plan of Action are structured along 11 Geneva Plan of Action are structured along 11 Action Lines. Action Lines.

The Plan of Action contains, besides the 11 Action The Plan of Action contains, besides the 11 Action Lines in Chapter C, 10 connectivity targets, and Lines in Chapter C, 10 connectivity targets, and the Action Line C7 on ICT-applications is the Action Line C7 on ICT-applications is subdivided into 7 sub-Action Lines. subdivided into 7 sub-Action Lines.

The Geneva Agenda refers in several paras to the The Geneva Agenda refers in several paras to the MDGs (most importantly in para 2 the MDGs (most importantly in para 2 the Declaration). The Geneva Plan of Action (para 28) Declaration). The Geneva Plan of Action (para 28) calls for a realistic international performance calls for a realistic international performance evaluation and benchmarking through evaluation and benchmarking through comparable statistical indicators and research comparable statistical indicators and research results.results.

Outcome of the Tunis Summit:Outcome of the Tunis Summit:Tunis Commitment & Tunis AgendaTunis Commitment & Tunis Agenda

The Tunis Commitment contains mainly a The Tunis Commitment contains mainly a reaffirmation of the commitments from Geneva.reaffirmation of the commitments from Geneva.

The Tunis Agenda for the information society has The Tunis Agenda for the information society has 4 chapters: Introduction, Financial Mechanisms 4 chapters: Introduction, Financial Mechanisms for Meeting the Challenges of ICT for for Meeting the Challenges of ICT for Development, Internet Governance, Development, Internet Governance, Implementation and follow-up.Implementation and follow-up.

In the following slides, we touch mainly on the In the following slides, we touch mainly on the last chapter.last chapter.

Outcome of the Tunis Summit: Outcome of the Tunis Summit: Multi-stakeholder Implementation Multi-stakeholder Implementation

As a direct consequence of the WSIS multi-As a direct consequence of the WSIS multi-stakeholder approach , in the Tunis Agenda, stakeholder approach , in the Tunis Agenda, Governments agreed that WSIS-implementation Governments agreed that WSIS-implementation should also be a multi-stakeholder effort: should also be a multi-stakeholder effort: Implementation is to take place at national, Implementation is to take place at national, regional and international level, and by regional and international level, and by Governments, international organizations, civil Governments, international organizations, civil society and business. society and business.

Let us look now at national, regional and Let us look now at national, regional and international level separately: international level separately:

Implementation at national levelImplementation at national level

Governments are encouraged to set up national Governments are encouraged to set up national implementation mechanisms, with the implementation mechanisms, with the participation of all stakeholders. participation of all stakeholders.

National e-strategies, where appropriate, should National e-strategies, where appropriate, should be an integral part of national development be an integral part of national development plans, including Poverty Reduction Strategies, plans, including Poverty Reduction Strategies, aiming to contribute to the achievement of aiming to contribute to the achievement of internationally agreed development goals and internationally agreed development goals and objectives, including the Millennium objectives, including the Millennium Development GoalsDevelopment Goals..

Implementation at regional levelImplementation at regional level

• Upon request of governments, regional Upon request of governments, regional international organizations and UN regional international organizations and UN regional economic commissions should carry out WSIS-economic commissions should carry out WSIS-implementation activities in collaboration with implementation activities in collaboration with all stakeholders. all stakeholders.

• Overall focus on the use of ICT for Overall focus on the use of ICT for development and for reaching the MDGs.development and for reaching the MDGs.

• Regional level can also include sub-regional Regional level can also include sub-regional coordination.coordination.

Implementation an international level (1)Implementation an international level (1)

• UN funds, programs and agencies should act UN funds, programs and agencies should act within approved mandates and resources.within approved mandates and resources.

• Implementation should take place along the 17 Implementation should take place along the 17 Action lines defined in the Geneva Plan of Action lines defined in the Geneva Plan of Action and the tasks defined in the Tunis Action and the tasks defined in the Tunis Agenda. Agenda.

• Implementation should include Implementation should include intergovernmental intergovernmental andand multi-stakeholder multi-stakeholder components, i.e. should encompass components, i.e. should encompass Governments, International organizations, civil Governments, International organizations, civil society and businesssociety and business

• Overall review of WSIS implementation in 2015 Overall review of WSIS implementation in 2015 by the UN General Assembly.by the UN General Assembly.

Implementation at international level (2)Implementation at international level (2)

• Governments decided on a process of multi-Governments decided on a process of multi-stakeholder facilitation/moderation by UN stakeholder facilitation/moderation by UN Agencies along the Action Lines defined in the Agencies along the Action Lines defined in the Geneva Plan of Action, to exchange of Geneva Plan of Action, to exchange of information, create knowledge, share best information, create knowledge, share best practices and assist in the development of practices and assist in the development of multi-stakeholder partnerships.multi-stakeholder partnerships.

• ITU, UNESCO and UNDP should lead the Action ITU, UNESCO and UNDP should lead the Action Line Facilitation process.Line Facilitation process.

• Negotiation result of Tunis: There is Negotiation result of Tunis: There is nono Agency, Commission or new entity in charge of Agency, Commission or new entity in charge of the multi-stakeholder implementation of WSIS the multi-stakeholder implementation of WSIS at the international level. CSTD is only in at the international level. CSTD is only in charge of follow-up.charge of follow-up.

Other outcomes of the Tunis Summit: Other outcomes of the Tunis Summit: The Internet Governance ForumThe Internet Governance Forum

Internet Governance was a core theme of the Internet Governance was a core theme of the Tunis Summit. As time was not ripe for any Tunis Summit. As time was not ripe for any solution, Governments agreed to ask the UN SG solution, Governments agreed to ask the UN SG to convene an Internet Governance Forum (IGF) to convene an Internet Governance Forum (IGF) to discuss public policy issues related to key to discuss public policy issues related to key elements of Internet governance in order to foster elements of Internet governance in order to foster the sustainability, robustness, security, stability the sustainability, robustness, security, stability and development of the Internet. and development of the Internet.

Similar to Action Line Facilitation, this forum is Similar to Action Line Facilitation, this forum is informal, cannot take decisions, and is open to all informal, cannot take decisions, and is open to all stakeholders. IGF had two successful meetings in stakeholders. IGF had two successful meetings in Athens in 2006 and in Rio in 2007 with each more Athens in 2006 and in Rio in 2007 with each more than 1400 participants. than 1400 participants.

Other outcomes of the Tunis Summit:Other outcomes of the Tunis Summit: The UN Group on the Information SocietyThe UN Group on the Information Society

UNGIS is a sub-entity within the Chief Executives UNGIS is a sub-entity within the Chief Executives Board for coordination (CEB) of the UN.Board for coordination (CEB) of the UN.

Main task is facilitation (read: coordination) of Main task is facilitation (read: coordination) of implementation of WSIS outcomes by the implementation of WSIS outcomes by the different UN Agencies. UNGIS is different UN Agencies. UNGIS is notnot a multi- a multi-stakeholder body and does stakeholder body and does notnot deal with Action deal with Action Line Facilitation. It is a Line Facilitation. It is a formalformal body. The meetings body. The meetings are closed meetings, like the CEB meetings. are closed meetings, like the CEB meetings.

Other outcomes of the Tunis Summit: Other outcomes of the Tunis Summit: Measuring the Information Society Measuring the Information Society

The Tunis Agenda calls for appropriate indicators and The Tunis Agenda calls for appropriate indicators and benchmarking, including connectivity indicators, to clarify benchmarking, including connectivity indicators, to clarify the magnitude of the digital divide, both its domestic and the magnitude of the digital divide, both its domestic and international dimensions, and to keep it under regular international dimensions, and to keep it under regular assessment, and track global progress in the use of ICTs to assessment, and track global progress in the use of ICTs to achieve the MDGs. (para 113 of the Tunis Agenda)achieve the MDGs. (para 113 of the Tunis Agenda)

The Agenda also noted the launch of the Partnership for The Agenda also noted the launch of the Partnership for measuring ICT for development, and its efforts: measuring ICT for development, and its efforts: a) to develop a common set of core indicatorsa) to develop a common set of core indicatorsb) to promote capacity buildingb) to promote capacity buildingc) tp assess the current and potential impact of ICTs on c) tp assess the current and potential impact of ICTs on development, poverty reductiondevelopment, poverty reductiond) to develop specific gender-disaggregated indicators to d) to develop specific gender-disaggregated indicators to measure the digital divide in its various dimensions measure the digital divide in its various dimensions (para 114 of the Tunis Agenda)(para 114 of the Tunis Agenda)

The Partnership is one of the most successful cases of The Partnership is one of the most successful cases of interagency (& others) coordination that have ever existed.interagency (& others) coordination that have ever existed.

Other outcomes of the Tunis Summit: Other outcomes of the Tunis Summit: Follow-up by ECOSOC and the CSTDFollow-up by ECOSOC and the CSTD

The Tunis Agenda (para 105) requests ECOSOC to oversee The Tunis Agenda (para 105) requests ECOSOC to oversee the system-wide follow-up of the Geneva and Tunis the system-wide follow-up of the Geneva and Tunis outcomes of WSIS and to review the mandate, agenda and outcomes of WSIS and to review the mandate, agenda and composition of the Commission on Science and Technology composition of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD).for Development (CSTD).

ECOSOC ECOSOC decided to carry out its responsibilities for decided to carry out its responsibilities for overseeing overseeing the system-wide follow-up the system-wide follow-up to to the Summit the Summit outcomesoutcomes in the context of in the context of itsits annual consideration of the annual consideration of the integrated and coordinated implementation and follow-up integrated and coordinated implementation and follow-up to to all all thethe major United Nations conferences. major United Nations conferences.

ECOSOC decided further that the Commission on Science ECOSOC decided further that the Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) and Technology for Development (CSTD) shall effectively shall effectively assist the Council as the focal point in the system-wide assist the Council as the focal point in the system-wide follow-up of WSIS. follow-up of WSIS.

WSIS follow-up: WSIS follow-up: Tasks of CSTDTasks of CSTD

Tasks of CSTDTasks of CSTD in relation to the WSIS follow-up in relation to the WSIS follow-up• (a) (a) Review and assess progress at the Review and assess progress at the

international and regional levels in the international and regional levels in the implementation of action linesimplementation of action lines, recommendations , recommendations and commitments contained in the outcome documents and commitments contained in the outcome documents of the Summit; including the of the Summit; including the set of connectivity set of connectivity targets of the Geneva Plan of Action, to be targets of the Geneva Plan of Action, to be reached by 2015;reached by 2015;

• (b) (b) Share best and effective practicesShare best and effective practices and lessons and lessons learned and identify obstacles and constraints learned and identify obstacles and constraints encountered, actions and initiatives to overcome them encountered, actions and initiatives to overcome them and important measures for further implementation of and important measures for further implementation of the Summit outcomes; the Summit outcomes;

• c) Promote dialogue and foster partnerships, in c) Promote dialogue and foster partnerships, in coordination with other appropriate United Nations coordination with other appropriate United Nations funds, programs and specialized agencies, to contribute funds, programs and specialized agencies, to contribute to the attainment of the Summit objectives and the to the attainment of the Summit objectives and the implementation of its outcomes…. »implementation of its outcomes…. »

WSIS follow-up: Challenges of CSTD WSIS follow-up: Challenges of CSTD (1)(1)

WSIS was a “Summit on opportunities”. Result: WSIS was a “Summit on opportunities”. Result: many targets, many recommendations and many targets, many recommendations and commitments in numerous Action Lines.commitments in numerous Action Lines.

The WSIS outcome documents are not scientific The WSIS outcome documents are not scientific documents, they are the result of a negotiation, documents, they are the result of a negotiation, and therefore have overlaps and gaps.and therefore have overlaps and gaps.

In the Geneva Plan of Action, Chapter B with the In the Geneva Plan of Action, Chapter B with the targets and Chapter C with the Action Lines were targets and Chapter C with the Action Lines were developed at different times and are not directly developed at different times and are not directly linked to each other.linked to each other.

The Tunis documents contain additional themes: The Tunis documents contain additional themes: Financial mechanisms, Internet Governance and Financial mechanisms, Internet Governance and the theme of measuring the Information Society, the theme of measuring the Information Society, which enter also into the WSIS follow-up.which enter also into the WSIS follow-up.

WSIS follow-up: Challenges of CSTD WSIS follow-up: Challenges of CSTD (2)(2)

While the 10 targets in chapter B are partly While the 10 targets in chapter B are partly quantified, the more than 160 recommendations quantified, the more than 160 recommendations and commitments in chapter C (Action Lines) are and commitments in chapter C (Action Lines) are not quantified and sometimes not quantifiable. not quantified and sometimes not quantifiable. They do not have benchmarks Also, the They do not have benchmarks Also, the recommendations and commitments do usually recommendations and commitments do usually not specify who would be the main protagonist, not specify who would be the main protagonist, and have no time frame.and have no time frame.

The sheer number of recommendations and The sheer number of recommendations and commitments makes it very difficult to measure commitments makes it very difficult to measure progress in implementation. There are so many progress in implementation. There are so many actors, at national, regional and international actors, at national, regional and international level, and innumerable actions and programs. level, and innumerable actions and programs.

WSIS follow-up: Challenges of CSTD WSIS follow-up: Challenges of CSTD (3)(3)

CSTD has to rely on Action Line Facilitators to CSTD has to rely on Action Line Facilitators to make a first assessment of the implementation of make a first assessment of the implementation of the respective Action Line by all stakeholders. In the respective Action Line by all stakeholders. In the 2007 ECOSOC Resolution on the flow of the 2007 ECOSOC Resolution on the flow of information, Action Line Facilitators were asked to information, Action Line Facilitators were asked to report on implementation by all stakeholders. report on implementation by all stakeholders. This did not work, the UN Agencies reported only This did not work, the UN Agencies reported only what they were doing. what they were doing.

MDGs: As I said before, there is an assumption MDGs: As I said before, there is an assumption that ICTs can help to better and faster reach the that ICTs can help to better and faster reach the MDGs. But this assumption is not based on a MDGs. But this assumption is not based on a conceptual framework. And this is exactly where I conceptual framework. And this is exactly where I see the challenges for your Partnership: see the challenges for your Partnership:

Challenges for the Partnership (1)Challenges for the Partnership (1)

We We observeobserve that ICTs have that ICTs have certain effectscertain effects like: like: - possibility of people’s mobilization (example - possibility of people’s mobilization (example Philippines). Remember: 3.3 billion cellphones!Philippines). Remember: 3.3 billion cellphones!- Example Bhoomi system, Karnataka: Electronic - Example Bhoomi system, Karnataka: Electronic land registers allow for easier buy, sale and land registers allow for easier buy, sale and mortgage of land = increase economic mortgage of land = increase economic opportunitiesopportunities- Example Akshaya in Kerala: Decentralized - Example Akshaya in Kerala: Decentralized planning allows for transparency, accountability planning allows for transparency, accountability and curbing corruption = increased polictical and curbing corruption = increased polictical participationparticipation- Example e-choupals: Possibility to know - Example e-choupals: Possibility to know commodity prices increases income or farmers commodity prices increases income or farmers etc., but can also increase access to health etc., but can also increase access to health information, distant education etc. information, distant education etc.

Challenges for the Partnership (2)Challenges for the Partnership (2) The partnership should decide to find ways and The partnership should decide to find ways and

means to measure some of these effects, i.e. means to measure some of these effects, i.e. measuring the impact of ICTs: Some attempts measuring the impact of ICTs: Some attempts have been made regarding economic impact, but have been made regarding economic impact, but very few studies were undertaken regarding very few studies were undertaken regarding social impact, and impact on increased political social impact, and impact on increased political participation, on health, on education, on security participation, on health, on education, on security issues etc.. issues etc..

Why is this so important? As Deepa Narayan Why is this so important? As Deepa Narayan mentions in her book “Measuring empowerment”, mentions in her book “Measuring empowerment”, edited by the World Bank, “if empowerment edited by the World Bank, “if empowerment cannot be measured, it will not be taken cannot be measured, it will not be taken seriously”. Similarly, seriously”. Similarly, if we cannot measure the if we cannot measure the economic, social and political impact of the ICTs economic, social and political impact of the ICTs on poverty reduction and human and social on poverty reduction and human and social development, , Governments and bilateral and development, , Governments and bilateral and multilateral donors will not take ICT4D seriously.multilateral donors will not take ICT4D seriously.

Challenges for the Partnership (3)Challenges for the Partnership (3)What are the difficulties: What are the difficulties: Need of a conceptual framework, which is not in Need of a conceptual framework, which is not in

the Summit outcome documents. the Summit outcome documents. In my personal view, a useful conceptual In my personal view, a useful conceptual

framework is in the World Development Report framework is in the World Development Report 2000/2001, “Attacking poverty”, which was 2000/2001, “Attacking poverty”, which was published practically at the same time as the published practically at the same time as the Millennium Summit outcome documents. Millennium Summit outcome documents.

The basic assumptions of “Attacking poverty” is The basic assumptions of “Attacking poverty” is that poor people lack empowerment, that poor people lack empowerment, opportunities and security. The Report was based opportunities and security. The Report was based on more than 50’000 interviews with poor people on more than 50’000 interviews with poor people (“Voices of the poor”). Increasing empowerment, (“Voices of the poor”). Increasing empowerment, opportunities and security is the way out of opportunities and security is the way out of poverty. poverty.

Challenges for the partnership (4) Challenges for the partnership (4)

Increased political participation (empowerment) Increased political participation (empowerment) or increased opportunities and security is often or increased opportunities and security is often difficult to measure, in some cases, it can only be difficult to measure, in some cases, it can only be observed in action.observed in action.

It may be necessary to use soft data and It may be necessary to use soft data and participatory methodologies, participatory methodologies,

There is a need for a mix of quantitative and There is a need for a mix of quantitative and qualitative data. qualitative data.

But:But: No need for worldwide data, but some No need for worldwide data, but some striking examples should be measured striking examples should be measured (start (start small)small)..

Thank you for your attentionThank you for your attention