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Subject: Fwd: Outcome of World Summit on the Information Society Meeting in
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Subject: Outcome of World Summit on the Information Society Meeting in Geneva, Switzerland on December 10, 2003
Media Note Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC December 10, 2003
Outcome of World Summit on the Information Society Meeting in Geneva, Switzerland on December 10, 2003
The United States welcomes and joins in the global consensus that has emerged
this week in final preparations for the United Nation s World Summit on the
Information Society (WSIS).
We believe that the keys to prosperity in the Information Society are
education, individual creativity and an environment of economic and political
freedom. Access to information is at the core of a truly inclusive Information
Society. The success of the WSIS lies in the extent to which the global
community has outlined a vision of the information society that truly enhances
our lives and embraces and encourages freedom in all regions of the world ,
said Ambassador A. Gross the Head of the U.S. Delegation to the WSIS.
As part of the WSIS process, the global community has come together for the
first time to
recognize that information and communication technologies (ICTs) are a key
element of political progress, economic growth, and social development. By
agreeing to the Declaration of Principles and Plan of Action, the United States
reaffirms our commitment to the importance of the use of ICTs to promote peace,
security and stability and to enhance democracy, respect for human rights, open
and transparent government and the rule of law. Throughout the rigorous
preparatory process, the United States has emphasized a set of priority issues
that highlight the fundamental building blocks of an Information Society
infrastructure development, human capacity building, and network security. We
are pleased that through the adoption of the WSIS Declaration of Principles and
Plan of Action, the international community recognized these elements as
critical to achieving our common vision.
The delegates to the WSIS identified and achieved consensus on a series of
difficult issues that represent key challenges presented by the Information
Society. First, States have affirmed their commitment to freedom of the press,
as well as to the independence, pluralism and diversity of the media. The
United States believes that the principle free flow of information, as
enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, lies at the heart of
the Information Society. Second, states agreed that achieving ubiquitous and
affordable access to ICT infrastructure and services requires a stable,
predictable and fair national economic climate that can attract private capital
and the development of human capacity through education and training.
The WSIS also recognized that building confidence and security in the use of
ICTs is a critical element of the Information Society and that all stakeholders
must act nationally and cooperate internationally to foster a global culture of
cyber security. The United States welcomes the plan of action that will involve
all participants in this global effort.
2 In addition, a global consensus was developed around a multi-stakeholder
approach to the Internet.
The WSIS also acknowledged the importance of intellectual property to the
Information Society. The United States believes that the contributions made to
the Information Society by creators and inventors are essential. Through
existing intellectual property protection agreements these contributions are
protected so that innovation and creativity by all people are encouraged. The
wide dissemination of knowledge is also important to the Information society
and we are pleased to have this reaffirmed by the WSIS.
We believe that the Summit will be another step to enable all of our citizens
to reap the benefits offered by the Information Society. The United States
notes with great satisfaction the commitment of the WSIS to the inclusion of
all stakeholders in the development and expansion of the information society.
We are committed to working in close partnership with governments, the private
sector, civil society and international organizations to implement the common
vision of the future set out in the WSIS Declaration of Principles and Plan of
Action.
2003/1247 [End]
Released on December 10, 2003
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