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Commonwealth ICT Ministers to Review Commonwealth Action Programme for the Digital Divide Report

31 August 2005

 Bridging the Digital Divide
"In this age of globalisation, no Commonwealth country should be left out of the ICT network."

Commonwealth ministers involved in information and communication technology (ICT) will discuss the draft report on the Commonwealth Action Programme for the Digital Divide (CAPDD) at a High-Level Forum in Yaoundé, Cameroon, from 5 to 6 September 2005. The report proposes ways to develop a policy framework and infrastructure to enable Commonwealth countries and their citizens to bridge the digital divide and harness ICT as a tool for sustainable development and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The meeting, which will be held alongside the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation's CTO Forum 2005, is part of the build-up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) to be held in Malta in November 2005. It follows an earlier high-level meeting convened by the Commonwealth Secretary-General in London in June 2005.

Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Winston Cox, who will open the High-Level Forum, noted that the CAPDD is part of the Commonwealth Secretariat's strategic aim to support member countries in using ICT for development.

He stated: "In this age of globalisation, no Commonwealth country should be left out of the ICT network. Having access to information and knowledge is crucial in decision-making, be it in politics, business, health or social issues. Knowledge is needed in the global economy, and indeed in the domestic economy, to be one step ahead or at least to keep up with the competition. ICT is also an avenue for promoting dialogue between governments, citizens, businesses and communities across the globe."

Mr Cox emphasised that ICT has become a critical tool in almost every facet of life today. ICT is a conduit for trade through e-commerce, for e-government and for exploiting networking opportunities in all areas of human endeavour.

The Deputy Secretary-General said it is vital for the Commonwealth countries to identify and manage ICT resources and capabilities to support development projects. This effort, he said, will assist member countries in socio-economic progress and in their attainment of the MDGs.

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