[WSIS CS-Plenary] FW: [startup] From S. Khan: Global Alliance status letter

[Gurstein, Michael]

-----Original Message-----
From: startup-bounces at unicttaskforce.org
[mailto:startup-bounces at unicttaskforce.org] On Behalf Of Serge Kapto
Sent: February 14, 2006 8:07 PM
To: bridge at unicttaskforce.org
Cc: startup at unicttaskforce.org
Subject: [startup] From S. Khan: Global Alliance status letter

Dear colleague,
 
 
I would like to share with you information on the current status of our 
work towards the launch of the Global Alliance for ICT and Development. 
 
As you know, a paper on "principles and elements" of the Alliance was 
developed as a result of extensive open consultations. I would like to
use 
this opportunity to once again express my appreciation to all who 
contributed to our discussions. 
 
The paper was finalized in December 2005 in light of the important 
outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society and with a view
to 
ensuring that the future Alliance contributes in an effective, 
collaborative and synergistic manner to the follow up processes and 
activities as decided by WSIS, and thus advances our common quest of 
harnessing the potential of ICT for promoting development. 
 
It is envisaged that the Global Alliance will provide, with its broad 
mandate, an innovative, inclusive and interactive channel for 
multi-stakeholder input to policy debate to be conducted in 
intergovernmental organs - ECOSOC and its Commission on Science and 
Technology for Development. The Global Alliance will serve as an
inclusive 
multi-stakeholder global platform and forum for policy dialogue on the
use 
of ICT for enhancing the achievement of internationally agreed
development 
goals.   The Global Alliance would also help organize, multi-stakeholder

events in the context of ECOSOC's reviews of cross-cutting themes
linking 
the WSIS outcome to the integrated follow-up to and implementation of 
other UN conferences and summits. 
 
Meanwhile, our discussions with all stakeholder constituencies continue.

The positive feedback that we are getting from many diverse stakeholders
- 
governments, the private sector, civil society, international 
organizations of all types - confirms once again a broad consensus that 
such a platform is sorely needed to help enhance coherence of our work
in 
ICT for development and assure its tangible development impact. We are 
grateful to all partners, especially those who have already expressed 
their readiness to provide concrete support to the Alliance, including 
through hosting events or seconding staff for its secretariat. 
 
It is my expectation that following approval by the Secretary-General in

the near future, we will reach out to all stakeholders and
constituencies 
to invite them to participate in the Global Alliance. We shall also seek

their views as well as their nominations to the oversight and management

bodies of the Alliance, so that the Alliance could become fully
functional 
in the first half of this year. 
 
Another important issue that will need to be addressed is the
mobilization 
of resources and other kinds of support for the functioning of the 
Alliance. 
 
We shall revert to you on these matters in the coming weeks.
 
I very much look forward to your continued support of this important 
initiative. 
 
             Sarbuland Khan 
 

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