12 March 2005
Tunis — Following the Geneva WSIS preparatory meeting (Prepcom 2) the Tunis Summit is taking shape
In its latest issue, the independent Tunisian weekly information magazine "Realités" has devoted a feature article to the Geneva WSIS preparatory meeting (prepcom 2) that was held on February 16-18, 2005. The magazine writes that thanks to the consensus achieved among the 1700 delegates present at the Geneva meeting, the Tunis November 2005 World Summit on Information Society is 'gradually taking shape.' (www.wsistunis2005.org)
On the two issues of the financing of the information and communication technologies (ICT's) and that of internet governance, the delegates have identified the key issues on which the Tunis Summit will have to decide upon.
On the first issue of the financing of ICT's , following the detailed study made by a work group set up by the United Nations Secretary General , the digital solidarity Fund (DSF) has agreed to reduce the digital gap by contributing to the existing task force on financial mechanisms ( TFFM). The Fund is currently managed by a foundation based in Geneva that decides on the contribution and utilization criteria of the fund's resources. Presently 60% of its resources are allocated to the less developed countries, 30% to developing countries and 10% to industrialized countries as well as those countries whose economy is in a state of transition.
On the issue of internet governance the meeting has agreed that the issue of internet governance goes well beyond the attribution of IP addresses and domain names and a consensus was achieved as to the necessity of improving international coordination of the internet.
The magazine adds that the Tunis Summit will feature a new structure namely one that will group together high level round table discussions and discussion panels. This will give the heads of states and governments the opportunity of interacting with the leaders of both industry and civil society on the future of the information society. The public will also be invited to take part in the discussions.
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