The leaders of the countries participating in the XIX Ibero-American Summit, which took place in Lisbon on 30 November and 01 December 2009, taking the view that innovation and knowledge (the central themes of this summit) “(…) are fundamental instruments to eradicate poverty, combat hunger and improve the health of our populations, as well as to accomplish sustainable regional development which is integrated, inclusive and respects the environment, paying particular attention to the situation of the most vulnerable economies, “agreed, specifically “to promote and incentivise investment in communications infrastructure, supporting widespread access to broadband, especially in less advantaged sectors and in rural areas”.
The heads of state and government of the Ibero-American countries also made a commitment to “ensure and promote free and secure access to information and communication technologies throughout society and in particular among young children, young people and people with disabilities, fostering inclusion and equality, especially in terms of gender, generation and territory, converting access into a basic and universal right”.
Regarding the action programme, special focus was given to the commitment made at the I Ibero-American Conference of Communications Ministers to promote access to information and communication technologies through a set of joint initiatives, as well as to the willingness expressed by the countries present to cover the communications sector in the context of the Ibero-American Heads of State and Government Summits.
The next summit will be held in 2011 in Paraguay.
Further information:
- Declaração de Lisboa http://www.cimeiraiberoamericana.gov.pt/sites/default/files/editorfiles/Declaracao_Lisboa_0.pdf
- Programa de acção de Lisboa http://www.cimeiraiberoamericana.gov.pt/sites/default/files/editorfiles/Programa_Accao_Lisboa_0.pdf
