Location: Beirut
Contact:   Youssef A. Nusseir
                   Chief, Information and Communication
                   Technology Division
                   United Nation - ESCWA
                   P.O. Box 11-8575
                   Riad el-Solh Square - Beirut - Lebanon
                   Direct Tel: +961-1-978549
                   Fax: +961-1-981510
                   E-mail: nusseir@un.org


The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division of ESCWA is organizing the Conference in collaboration with the UNESCO, League of Arab States, UNIFEM, Arab ICT Organization, Arab Institute for Training & Research in Statistics, Global Alliance for ICT and Development (GAID), under the patronage of the Lebanese Government.

The Conference aims at reviewing the progress made and following-up on the implementation of the WSIS outcomes, the Regional Plan of Action (RPoA) for building the Information Society in Western Asia,  which was prepared by ESCWA in 2005, the Arab ICT Strategy, which was updated by the League of Arab States in 2007, and other national strategies and plans of action.  The follow-up activity comes after 5 years of the Geneva Summit, and 3 years of the Tunis Summit, and constitutes a forum for the various stakeholders in the region within which new projects would be identified for inclusion in the RPoA and the Arab ICT Strategy.

During the Conference, an Arab Region GAID Network will be launched, aiming at harnessing the benefits of ICT for development, and bringing experts and stakeholders together to address regional ICT development issues and to identify and disseminate best practices.

The Conference will include policy- and decision-makers who are involved in the implementation of the WSIS action lines and regional and national plans of action in region.  Participants would also include experts in ICT policies, applications and services, and representatives from the private sector, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and regional and international organizations.

A preliminary information note on the Conference is attached as well as a registration form to be filled and returned no later than 24 October 2008.  The abstract for any paper proposed for the Conference should be sent by 14 October 2008.  Participants in need of a personalized formal letter of invitation for visa or other purposes may request that from the Conference Secretariat before 24 October 2008.

Additional information on participation and on-line registration are available on the Conference Web page, available in English and Arabic:
http://www.escwa.un.org/information/meetingdetails.asp?referenceNUM=850e (English)
http://www.escwa.un.org/information/meetingdetailsAR.asp?referenceNUM=850a (Arabic)