Financing Mechanisms

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Financing Mechanisms Setting the Scene
Email aisi_at_uneca.org
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Content

• Statements from WSIS Declaration and Action Plan
• The African Union Decision
• Task Force on Financing Mechanisms
• The Digital Solidarity Fund
• The Way Forward

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Statement from the WSIS Declaration of Principles

• We recognize the will expressed on the one
  hand by some to create an international voluntary
  Digital Solidarity Fund, and by others to
  undertake studies concerning existing mechanisms
  and the efficiency and feasibility of such a
  Fund.

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Statement from the WSIS Plan of Action

• While all existing financial mechanisms
  should be fully exploited, a thorough review of
  their adequacy in meeting the challenges of ICT
  for development should be completed ... Based on
  the conclusion of the review, improvements and
  innovations of financing mechanisms will be
  considered including the effectiveness, the
  feasibility and the creation of a voluntary
  Digital Solidarity Fund, as mentioned in the
  Declaration of Principles.

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Decision of the African Union Summit Doc.
Ex.Cl/140 (V)

• Invites member States to support the Digital
  Solidarity Fund and to make it operational,
  urges local authorities, civil society
  organizations and the private sector to
  contribute in the financing of the Digital
  Solidarity Fund.

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Task Force on Financing Mechanisms

• The UN Secretary General established the TFM
  coordinated by UNDP
• To review the financing mechanisms and make
  proposals to the second phase of the WSIS through
  the February 2005 Prepcom
• A report from the TF was submitted in December
  2004 to the Prepcom Chair

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The Digital Solidarity Fund

• Concept put forward by President Wade at the
  Geneva Prepcom1 in the name of NEPAD
• Supported by Africa and other developing
  countries
• Arguments - existing mechanisms have reached
  their limit and have not provided very successful
  in bridging the digital divide
• DSF launched and operates from Geneva

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The Way Forward

• Facilitate exchange of ideas between those who
  are for new financing mechanisms and those who
  are against
• Discuss ways to optimize operations of the
  Digital Solidarity Fund
• Put forward solutions for working together to
  build an inclusive information society
• Make recommendations to the Round Table on
  Financing Mechanisms and to the Ministerial
  Conference

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Merci
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