We are proud to Know that, H.E. Mr. Mustafa Jabbar Hon’ble Minister for Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology will perform as Chairman Designate of the UN World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum (WSIS) 2019 first time from Bangladesh on 8-12 April 2019 at Geneva, Switzerland,
The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum is a global United Nations (UN) multistakeholder platform facilitating the implementation of the WSIS Action Lines for advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is co-organized by ITU, UNESCO, UNDP and UNCTAD, in close collaboration with all WSIS Action Line co-/facilitators and other UN organizations (UNDESA, FAO, UNEP, WHO, UN Women, WIPO, WFP, ILO, WMO, ITC, UPU, UNODC, UNITAR, UNICEF and UN Regional Commissions).
It represents the world’s largest annual gathering of the ‘ICT for development’ community. It provides an opportunity for information exchange, knowledge creation and sharing of best practices, while identifying emerging trends and fostering partnerships, taking into account the evolving Information and Knowledge Societies. In follow up to the outcomes of the UN General Assembly Overall Review of the Implementation of WSIS Outcomes (Res. A/70/125) and with the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (Res. A/70/1), the WSIS Forum is constantly evolving and strengthening the alignment between the WSIS Action Lines and the Sustainable Development Goals.
In 2019, WSIS will celebrate its 10th anniversary of the establishment of WSIS Forum from April 8 to 12, under the theme “Information and Communication Technologies for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals”. WSIS Forum thereby continues to provide a platform for a “just and equal information society” for all WSIS Stakeholders as set by the Geneva Plan of Action.
The WSIS Forum will serve as a key forum for discussing the role of ICTs as a means of implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and targets, with due regard to the global mechanism for follow-up and review of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (UNGA Resolution A/70/1).
At with the WSIS Forum 2019, High-level Policy Sessions of the High-level Track will take place on 9 and 10 April. The Policy Sessions will be moderated by High-Level Track Facilitators (HLTFs) nominated and identified by each stakeholder type i.e Private Sector, Civil Society, Technical/ Academic community and International Organization. The main task of the HLTF is to capture the vision, Identify emerging trends, opportunities and challenges shared by the leaders of their session.
The concluding session of the High-level Track will take place on 10 April. During the concluding session, the WSIS Forum 2019 Chairman will provide an Executive Summary, giving a platform for all the HLTFs to submit the outcomes of their respective policy session. A publication entitled “WSIS Forum 2019: Policy Statements and Executive Brief” will be issued to encapsulate these outcomes.
Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) is in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) accredited with World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) of the United Nations and UN WSIS prize winner 2016, Champion 2017 and 2019. BNNRC’s outreach extends to local, national and international forums for communicating Knowledge for Media.
BNNRC’s approach to media development is both knowledge-driven and context-sensitive, and it takes into account the challenges and opportunities created by the rapidly changing media environment in Bangladesh including community radio development giving voices for the voiceless.
