Civil Society Contribution.

ENSTA 23 July 2006

20 July 2006 (end of session)

Presented by the Facilitator

Draft resolution of ECOSOC

on follow-up to WSIS and review of CSTD

The Economic and Social Council,

PP1. Welcoming the outcome of the World Summit on the Information Society¹, (agreed)

PP2. Recalling the Declaration of Principles and the Plan of Action, adopted in Geneva in 2003, and the Tunis Commitment and the Tunis Agenda for the Information Society, adopted in Tunis in 2005 by the World Summit on the Information Society and endorsed by the General Assembly², (agreed)

PP3. Recalling further the 2005 World Summit outcome³, (agreed)

PP4. Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on modalities of the inter-agency coordination of the implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society, including recommendations on the follow-up process⁴ and which reviews the actions taken since the convening of the Summit and emphasizes the need for full implementation of Summit decisions (G77 will revert)

PP5. Taking note also of the ongoing United Nations reform process, (agreed)

PP.6 Recalling General Assembly resolution 60/252⁵, which requests the Council to oversee the system-wide follow-up of the Geneva and Tunis outcomes of the Summit, and to that end, requests the Council, at its substantive session of 2006, to review the mandate, agenda and composition of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development, including considering strengthening the Commission, taking into account the multi-stakeholder approach, (agreed)

PP7. Recalling General Assembly resolution 57/270B on integrated and coordinated implementation of and follow-up to the major United Nations conferences and summits in the economic and social fields, (agreed)

PP6.bis Bearing in mind Economic and Social Council decision 1992/218 of 30 April 1992, and resolution 1992/62 of 31 July 1992, by which the Council established the Commission on Science and Technology for Development and defined its terms of reference, as well as the Council’s Decision 2005/308 on methods of work of the Commission, (agreed)

PP6.ter Recognizing the need to strengthen the Commission on Science and Technology for Development in order to enable it to (Canada: follow-up to Geneva and Tunis outcomes of WSIS) activities/tasks defined(G77: mandated) by WSIS, taking into account the multi-stakeholder approach,

PP8. Recognizing that the implementation and follow-up of the WSIS should be an integral part of the integrated follow-up to major United Nations conferences and summits in the economic, social and related fields and should contribute to the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals, and should not require the creation of any new operational bodies⁶, (agreed)

PP9. Acknowledging the urgent need to bridge the digital divide and to assist developing countries including those countries with special needs as they are stated in the WSIS outcome documents to benefit fully from the potential of information and communication technologies⁷, (agreed ad ref)

(CS/ENSTA add:

PP9a Taking note of the establishment in Geneva of the Digital Solidarity Fund as an innovative financial mechanism of a voluntary nature open to interested stakeholders with the objective of transforming the digital divide into digital opportunities.

PP10. Stressing the importance of the WSIS outcomes to the building of a people-centred, inclusive and development-oriented information society so as to enhance digital opportunities for all people in order to help to bridge the digital divide⁸, (agreed)

PP11. Reaffirming the need for ensuring an effective partnership and cooperation between Governments and the relevant actors of civil society, including non-governmental organizations, the academic and scientific community, and the private sector, in the implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes of the WSIS, (agreed)

PP12. [Taking note of the action taken by the Secretary-General to convene the Internet Governance Forum. (JK: stop here; G-77: and noting further that Internet governance for development has been agreed to be the overarching theme for the first meeting in Greece,] (EU: stop after “Forum”; US –brackets; Canada, AUL supports US)

(JK:) PP12bis. Taking note of the action taken by the United Nations Secretary-General with a view to start a process towards enhanced cooperation as referred in paragraphs 69-71 of the Tunis agenda;

PP13. Taking note of the establishment, within the UN system Chief Executives Board for Coordination (CEB), of the UN Group on the Information Society (UNGIS), consisting of the relevant UN bodies and organizations with the mandate to facilitate the implementation of WSIS outcomes, and notingthe importance that the Council be kept informed of the progress in its work as a part of the annual reporting on the work of interagency bodies to the Council, (agreed)

PP14. Acknowledging with appreciation the role played by UNCTAD in providing secretariat support to the Commission, (agreed)

Follow-up to WSIS

OP1. Welcomes the strong developmental orientation of the outcomes of both the Geneva and the Tunis phases of the Summit, and urges their full implementation, (agreed)

OP1.bis Expresses concern that enhanced cooperation as mentioned in paragraph 71 of the Tunis Agenda has not been established. This process to be started by the Secretary-General will involve all relevant organizations and all stakeholders in their respective roles.

(: move the para after PP12; text: Taking note of the action taken by the United Nations Secretary-General with a view to start a process towards enhanced cooperation as referred in paragraphs 69-71 of the Tunis agenda;

Canada: delete; Switzerland supports EU; AUL, Russia support Canada)

OP2. Decides to carry out its responsibilities for overseeing the system-wide follow-up to WSIS outcomes in the context of its annual consideration of the integrated and coordinated implementation of and follow-up to major United Nations conferences and summits in the coordination segment on the basis of a thematic approach and a multi-year programme in accordance with General Assembly resolution 57/270B, based upon the work of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development and drawing upon other relevant inputs, (pending agreement by US) ( CS/ENSTA from all stakeholders ),

OP2.bis [Notes the report of the Secretary-General entitled modalities of the inter-agency coordination of the implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society, including recommendations on the follow-up process which reviews the actions taken since the convening of the Summit and emphasizes that the system wide follow-up addresses their full implementation in the future,] (US: brackets; EU: delete) – will be deleted if PP4 is adopted

OP2.ter

G-77 conditional proposal: Takes note of the important role of UN Regional Commissions and encourages them to undertake specific activities in accordance with the WSIS outcomes (EU supports, US and Canada prefer moving to PP)

Role of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development

Mandate

OP3. Decides that, in accordance with General Assembly resolutions 57/270B and 60/252, the Commission shall (G77: be the mechanism or have the responsibility to; Russia supports the latter; Canada: have primary responsibility to; US: have the primary responsibility to; JK, Canada and US: delete text in brackets) effectively assist ECOSOC in the system-wide follow-up, in particular (G77: including) the review and assessment of progress made in implementing the outcomes of WSIS, while at the same time maintaining its traditional mandate on science and technology for development, also taking into account the provisions of paragraph 60 of the Outcome of the 2005 World Summit⁹;

OP3.bis Agrees that the system-wide follow-up shall have a strong development orientation, (agreed)

(CS/ENSTA OP3ter ) Decides that Commission shall facilitate implementation of financial mechanisms for meeting the challenge of ICT for development according to the Tunis Agenda.

OP4. Decides that, in the exercise of its responsibility as defined in paragraph OP2 above, the Commission on Science and Technology for Development shall monitor (EU: examine,; US: support if deletions reinstated; JK: receive information,; CS/ENSTA facilitate, supervise ), review and assess progress made in implementing the outcomes of WSIS and advise the Council thereon, including [through] the elaboration of practical recommendations to the Council aimed at furthering Summit outcomes. To that end, the Commission shall: (US: revert to the Facilitator’s draft; AUL supports) [brackets – US]

US alt: Decides that, in accordance with the GA resolution 57/270B, regarding the system-wide follow-up, the Commission shall assist ECOSOC in the review and assessment of progress made in implementing the outcomes of WSIS

1. monitor (: examine),(CS/ENSTA facilitate, supervise ) reviewand assess progress at the international and regional levels in the implementation of Action Lines, recommendations and commitments contained in the outcome documents of WSIS; (US: revert to the Facilitator’s draft; AUL supports)

2. identify and disseminate best and effective practices and lessons learned, as well as identify gaps and obstacles encountered, in the implementation of WSIS outcomes [and suggest initiatives and make policy options recommendations on actions required to overcome the latter] (US: delete text in brackets, add: in full compliance (G77: in accordance) with the TAIS (G77: WSIS outcomes) or use para 71 of 57/270B; Russia supports the US) ; and

3. (JK:)promotedialogue and foster partnerships in coordination with other appropriate UN funds, programmes and specialized agencies to contribute to the attainment of the WSIS objectives and [implementation of its outcomes, US] to use ICT for development and the achievement of internationally agreed development goals,

(CS/ENSTA: the paragraph below should encompass a) b) c) )

with the participation of all stakeholders, including, inter alia, governments, international organisations, private sector and civil society, including existing (CS/ENSTA: add”and future” alt: delete “existing”) multi-stakeholders groups and platforms(CS/ENSTA: such as the Digital Solidarity Fund) , according to their respective roles, in accordance with the established practices in the ECOSOC and WSIS (G77: delete “and WSIS” (CS/ENSTA: keep “and WSIS”) and in conformity with paragraph 10 below;

Composition

OP5. Decides that the Commission on Science and Technology for Development shall be enlarged to [47] [(President: 43)] members to strengthen its substantive capacity and enhance [effective and meaningful] (US) participation of Member States in its work. The additional members shall be elected, bearing in mind the principle of balanced and equitable geographical distribution and in accordance with procedures and timetables to be established by the Council, from among the States Members of the United Nations or States Members of specialized agencies;

Working methods

OP6. Also decides that the Commission shall meet annually for a period of [5] [7] [10] working days in Geneva;

President: 5 days, after two years undertake review of the practices and report to ECOSOC with its recommendations

EU: package OP5, OP6 and OP10.

JK: these plus the mandate in a package; IGF acknowledged in PPs

OP7. Decides that in line with the Council’s decision 2005/308, the Commission shall continue working on the basis of biennial action cycles (JK: stop here; US, AUL, Russia, EU, Canada support; G77 will consider) in (US: replace “in” by “with”) the first year focusing on review [session] (US: delete), the objective of which is to evaluate progress in implementing the Geneva Plan of Action and the Tunis Agenda for the Information Society, and in the second, [a policy analysis session] (US: focusing on analysis), the objective of which is to identify [and recommend] (US: delete) actions, initiatives, solutions and [effective] (US: best) practices developed, as well as gaps and obstacles encountered in the implementation of the WSIS outcomes. In its next session, the Commission shall undertake a review of its agenda and develop a multi-year work programme, taking into account its role in the follow-up to WSIS and 2005 World Summit outcomes; (moved to para. 7.bis)

OP7bis.

G-77: Taking (JK: also) into account its additional (JK: new) role in the follow-up to WSIS and the 2005 World Summit Outcome decides that in the next session the Commission shall strengthen (Canada: adapt) its agenda and develop a multi-year work programme,

OP8. Decides that its future sessions will increasingly be conducted as interactive dialogue with participation of all stakeholders, (G77:) in accordance with the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of ECOSOC,(CS/ENSTA: delete “in accordance with the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of ECOSOC,” and replace by “in accordance with the open and inclusive rules of procedure that have been followed during the WSIS”,)

OP9. Decides that, in addition to its traditional working practices, the Commission will continue to explore development-friendly and innovative use of electronic media, (CS/ENSTA: add “,based on open or interoperable standards), drawing upon existing (CS/ENSTA: add“open or interoperable”) online databases, on best practices, partnership projects and initiatives, as well as other collaborative (CS/ENSTA: add“open or interoperable” electronic platforms, which would allow all stakeholders to contribute to follow-up efforts, share information, learning from the experience of others and explore opportunities for partnerships. (agreed ad ref)

Multi-stakeholder approach

OP10 (G-77 and China)

OP10a Decides that while using the multi-stakeholder approach effectively, the intergovernmental nature of the Commission should be preserved

OP10b Decides also that:

1. The CSTD shall invite relevant intergovernmental organizations within and outside the UN system, including multilateral financial institutions, to (JK: ensuring effective and meaningful participation of IGOs) appoint special representatives to the CSTD. (E/1993/295)

2. Pursuant to ECOSOC resolution 1996/31, non-governmental organizations and civil society entities without consultative status to ECOSOC, but which have received accreditation to WSIS, may participate, upon approval by ECOSOC, on an exceptional basis and without prejudice to the established rules of the United Nations (EU: of ECOSOC and WSIS), as observers in the next two meetings of the Commission. This provision is based on the understanding that in the meantime, said organizations and entities apply for consultative status to ECOSOC in accordance with existing rules and procedures, and that in accordance with Council resolution 1996/31, the Committee on NGO is invited to consider such applications, in accordance with the rules and procedures of the United Nations and to do so as expeditiously as possible.

3. On an exceptional basis, without prejudice to existing rules of procedure, business (US: private) sector entities (CS/ENSTA: add“ and civil society entities, such as, inter alia, local authorities, that are not eligible to an ECOSOC consultative status), may be invited upon approval by ECOSOC to participate as observers in the work of the Commission in accordance with the rules of procedure of ECOSOC (CS/ENSTA: add“ and WSIS)..

OP10c. [Decides that every effort should be made to mobilize and ensure meaningful and effective participation, including through providing assistance, of all stakeholders from developing countries, including non-governmental organizations, small- and medium-size enterprises, industry associations and development actors.] (US: brackets)

(CS/ENSTA: add :

OP10d Asks the President of ECOSOC [alt. President of CSTD] to set up a Sub-Commission [alt a Forum] for the Multi-stakeholder Approach on WSIS Follow-up., in an open and inclusive process, learning from WSIS best procedural practises, that ensures a mechanism for the full and active participation of governments, the private sector and civil society from both developing and developed countries, involving relevant intergovernmental and international organizations and forums, in order to assess progress concerning the Action Lines of the Geneva Plan of Action , and the items of the Tunis agenda concerning financial mechanisms for meeting the challenge of ICT.

OP10c Decides that the Commission shall encourage,within a multi-stakeholder approach, the creation of think tanks by the academic or technological communities, with voluntary participation from other stakeholders, to better mobilize academic and technological resources towards WSIS implementation, and to make a bridge between existing and new responsibilities of the Commission.

OP10d Decides that the Commission shall encourage the creation of a special voluntary assistance Fund, jointly managed by the two host countries of WSIS [alt , to preserve and ensure a meaningful and effective participation of all stakeholders that need financial assistance to attend ECOSOC sessions and WSIS-related events, and in particular Civil Society from developing countries,

  Secretariat support

OP11. Requests the Secretary-General to ensure effective [and upgraded] (US) substantive [and technical] (US) secretariat (US: restore) support [by UNCTAD] (US) to the Commission, currently successfully provided by UNCTAD, to enable it to perform [its expanded role] (US: effectively) while ensuring, in this regard, close collaboration with other relevant United Nations organizations and specialized agencies;

Reporting

OP11.bis Requests the Secretary-General to inform the Commission on the implementation of WSIS outcomes as a part of his annual reporting to the Commission,

(agreed)

OP12. Requests the Commission to submit to the Council, within its annual report, information on the progress made in the implementation of and follow-up to WSIS outcomes at the regional and international level; (agreed)

OP (agreed)