The fifth World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-10) of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has taken place in Hyderabad (India), closing on 4 July 2010, with attendance seen by 924 participants from 138 Member States.
A highlight of the conference was the adoption of the Hyderabad Action Plan, consisting of a range of activities which aim to help developing countries promote the sustainable growth of information and communication technology (ICT) networks and services. In addition to the central work of the Conference, a number of parallel activities took place, including the seminar and ministerial round table debating the ITU initiative ‘Connect a School, Connect a Community’, in which Portugal will make an important contribution, through the creation of the eSchool International programme.
The Hyderabad Action Plan comprises the following programmes:
- Programme 1: Information and communication infrastructure and technology development;
- Programme 2: Cyber-security, ICT applications and IP-based network-related issues;
- Programme 3: Enabling environment;
- Programme 4: Capacity-building and digital inclusion;
- Programme 5: Least developed countries, countries in special need, emergency telecommunications and adaptation to climate change.
The action plan also includes regional initiatives, whose aim is to support the accomplishment of economies of scale in ICT development. The initiatives were selected for each region, prioritising regional needs. The WTDC-10 also adopted the Hyderabad Declaration which recognises widespread access to ICT as essential to economic, social and cultural development on a global scale, and calls attention to other issues, such as the importance of international cooperation in cyber-security and the implementation of policy related to “green” or environmentally friendly ICT.
Besides these strategic documents, the WTDC-10 conducted a review of Resolutions adopted in previous sessions and adopted new resolutions, some resulting from European proposals, such as on the limitation of the mandates of the chairs and vice-chairs of the study groups and the advisory group (TDAG) of the Telecommunication Development Sector (ITU-D) and the role of ICT in reducing the impact of climate change.
Further information:
- WTDC 2010 - Hyderabad Declaration http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/conferences/wtdc/2010/pdf/HyderabadDeclaration.pdf
- WTDC 2010 - Draft Final Report http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/conferences/wtdc/2010/pdf/WTDC10_DraftPreliminaryReport.pdf
