The Minister for Public Works, Transport and Communications (MOPTC), Mário Lino and the Secretary General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Hamadoun Touré, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which sets out a programme of cooperation in the area of telecommunications and the information society. The Memorandum was signed on 8 December, as part of the EU-Africa summit, in the attendance of members of the Ministry, ITU and ANACOM.
The Memorandum covers cooperation in various projects, including the setting up of a centre of excellence in Africa for Portuguese-speaking countries, as well as the organisation of forums and conferences on key strategic issues in the areas of telecommunications, such as a possible conference or assembly in Portugal to be announced by the ITU. The MoU also envisages an annual prize for initiatives which promote the information society.
This partnership aims to address the concerns that the Portuguese Government shares with the ITU, with regard to the role of telecommunications in African development, falling also within the spirit of the EU-Africa summit, which follows a set of common guidelines on good governance, human rights, peace and security, commerce and sustainable development.
Further information:
- Portuguese Presidency of the European Union (EU): EU-Africa Summit http://www.eu2007.pt/UE/vEN/Reunioes_Eventos/ChefesEstado/EUAfrica.html
- Cimeira UE-África: Portugal quer criar Centro de Excelência de Telecomunicações em África http://www.moptc.pt/cs2.asp?idcat=785
Related information on ANACOM's website:
- ITU - International Telecommunication Union https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?categoryId=66695
- Cooperation https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?categoryId=59876
