Considering the necessity to transpose into specific measures the principles agreed during the first phase of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), in Geneva, in 2003, the European Commission adopted, on 14 July 2004, a Communication identifying proposals for the application of the Action Plan approved at the WSIS, to be enforced in the second phase of this Summit, scheduled for 16- 18 November 2005, in Tunes (Tunisia).
As far as priorities are concerned, which should be in a reduced number in order to quickly be materialised, the Commission deems essential to act at three main levels: creation of a favourable environment, based on information society initiatives supported by a legal and regulatory framework promoting investment and innovation; efforts focused in specific applications and in areas such as e-government, e-health, e-learning and e-business; and special attention to the level of research in information society.
The Commission also underlines the importance of not neglecting issues such as the management of the Internet and financing measures that may reduce the digital gap, two subjects initiated in Geneva and not yet concluded, and in promoting specific actions regarding developing countries, so that the work already achieved within the WSIS contributes to the Development Goals for the United Nations Millennium.
Further information:
- Towards a global partnership in the information society: Translating principles into actions http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/04/898&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
- World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) http://www.itu.int/wsis/index.html
- Preliminary EU Views on the Preparatory Process for the Tunis Phase of the Summit http://www.itu.int/wsis/docs2/pc1/contributions/eutext.pdf
- COM (2004)480 Comunicação da Comissão, ''Towards a global partnership in the information society: Translating principles into actions'' http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/com/cnc/2004/com2004_0480en01.pdf
Related information on ANACOM's website:
- IS World Summit terminates https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?contentId=148016
- Dutch EU Presidency’ Priorities https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?contentId=208931
- Telecom Council Conclusions https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?contentId=204340
