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How to best ensure multi-stakeholder approach in the UN CSTD:

Sub-Commission for multi-stakeholder approach on WSIS follow-up

CS non paper on the CSTD working methods

for WSIS follow-up

Paragraph 105 of the Tunis agenda requested ECOSOC to “review the mandate, agenda and composition of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development, including considering the strengthening of the Commission, taking into account the multi-stakeholder approach”. The formalization of this provision within the reviewed CSTD includes two basic elements:

• the establishment of an accreditation procedure to allow an open and inclusive participation of all stakeholders concerned by the follow-up to WSIS, including WSIS accredited civil society entities and the private sector;

• the setting up of modalities and practices for multi-stakeholder approach leading to the realisation of the CSTD mandate related to the WSIS follow-up.

The accreditation process through the ECOSOC practices for CS entities, as provided by draft paragraph 10 might pave the way for an effective involvement of a wide range of CS actors involved in the information society and the achievement of the MDGs. The additional mandate to be given to the CSTD, with the view to assist ECOSOC in the system wide follow-up, will also provide an effective mechanism within ECOSOC and participate in the achievement of the UN development agenda, including the MDGs, in an integrated and coordinated approach.

However, despite the fact that the Tunis Agenda provides that the multi-stakeholder approach should be taken into account, few has been said about the modalities of this multi-stakeholder approach. It is our understanding that an effective WSIS follow-up should mainstream multi-stakeholder practices in the various aspects and functions of the CSTD in this regard, while keeping in mind that the CSTD would remain an ECOSOC substantive Commission, intergovernmental in nature.

We therefore consider that a multi-stakeholder advisory group, composed of representatives of all stakeholders, should be established as subsidiary body of the CSTD, to provide inputs and propositions to the CSTD on the achievement of its mandate in the perspective of both the review sessions and policy analysis sessions. Such subsidiary body of the CSTD could be called Sub-Commission for Multi-stakeholder Approach on WSIS Follow-up.

Composition

This multi-stakeholder subsidiary body of the CSTD would be open to all categories of stakeholders involved in the follow-up to WSIS. It would be chaired by a President and three Vice-Presidents, representing the four categories of stakeholders identified within the WSIS process (governments, international organisations, civil society, and private sector).

Mandate

The multi-stakeholder subsidiary body of the CSTD would provide recommendations to the CSTD on its action during the review session and the policy analysis session, as described in paragraph OP 7. It would present a report of these recommendations to the CSTD which would consider them according wit ECOSOC rules.

Working Methods

It is understood that the CSTD would continue to achieve its initial mandate related to the implication of science and technology for development. Whatever would be the decision regarding the ECOSOC decision regarding the number of days of the annual session of the CSTD, it might be separated into two parts. The multi-stakeholder subsidiary body of the CSTD on WSIS follow-up could physically meet in-sessionally when the CSTD would be considering aspects related to science and technology for development. Meetings of this multi-stakeholder subsidiary body would follow an open-ended informal format, benefiting from WSIS best practises.

Ideally, the work of this multi-stakeholder subsidiary body of the CSTD should be initiated in advance through on line tools, with the participation of all stakeholders, in accordance with draft paragraph OP 9. The annual in-sessional meeting should aim at finalizing its recommendation and its report to the CSTD.

(The option of organising the physical meeting of such a multi-stakeholder subsidiary body of the CSTD in a pre-sessional manner should also be further considered.)

The multi-stakeholder subsidiary body of the CSTD on WSIS follow-up would benefit from and build upon relevant information from implementation mechanisms, including ALF meetings, regional mechanisms, other groups and platforms. It could meet in plenary sessions and break-out workshops, based on truly multi-stakeholder practices and dialogue.

Programme of work

Based on the experience gained around the 9^th session of the CSTD in May 2006, held in conjunction with the celebration of the WISD on 17 May 2006, CS entities have widely supported the clustering of ALF meetings and other post-WSIS related meetings around the next sessions of the CSTD.

Such ALF meetings could be encouraged to be organised the week prior the CSTD session. In case the CSTD annual session would be maintained for a period of 5 working days, the multi-stakeholder subsidiary body of the CSTD on WSIS follow-up could meet in-sessionally (or pre-sessionally) for a period of two days and a half.

Proposed programme of work for in-sessional meeting of multi-stakeholder group in 5-day option

This model, based on the establishment of a multi-stakeholder subsidiary body of the CSTD on WSIS follow-up, would facilitate the work of the CTSD, providing it with concrete and workable contributions and recommendations for the monitoring, review and assessment of progress, as well as for the identification of effective practices, lessons learned, gaps and obstacles, and suggestions of initiatives and recommendations to overcome the latter. It would also preserve the intergovernmental nature, following the ECOSOC rules for participation of observers in the main session of the CSTD, while creating an effective space for the multi-stakeholder approach provided by paragraph 105 of the Tunis Agenda.

Language proposal :

Asks the President of ECOSOC [alt. President of CSTD] to set up a Sub-Commission for Multi-stakeholder Approach on WSIS Follow-up., in an open and inclusive process, 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, and a fair representation of all themes.