SOCIEDAD DE LA INFORMACION

WSIS-2005 FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN
Call from Secretary-General Yoshio Utsumi

The Geneva Phase of the World Summit on the Information Society culminated with a landmark gathering of participants from all sectors, including nearly 50 Heads of State/Government and Vice Presidents as well as other representatives from 175 countries, international organizations, civil society and business. The Summit established the foundations of the Information Society by enunciating a shared vision in a Declaration of Principles to meet the global challenges of the new millennium along with a concrete Plan of Action. Significantly, government leaders and their multi-stakeholder partners gave an impetus to harnessing the tremendous potential of ICTs to help bridge the digital divide and achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals, which include forming partnerships to make ICTs accessible to all by 2015.World leaders will once again congregate in Tunis from 16 to 18 November 2005 to review the progress made on the WSIS Action Plan and to formulate an Agenda for the future. Preparations for a successful Summit in Tunis are well underway.The UN General Assembly Resolution 56/183 (21 December 2001) that endorsed the holding of the World Summit on the Information Society did not provide a specific funding mechanism for WSIS. Instead, it invited the international community to make voluntary contributions to a special trust fund established by ITU to support the Summit.The Geneva Phase of the Summit was made possible thanks to generous financial contributions by different governments (including several developing countries) and other stakeholders. Additional in-kind support was also critical in putting together the organizational arrangements. It is estimated that the Tunis phase of the Summit will cost approximately CHF 15 million, which does not include elements of the process supported by the host country, Tunisia. I set a goal of raising at least CHF 5 million in financial contributions to fund preparatory activities for the Tunis phase with the expectation that the remainder can be supported through in-kind contributions from various partners.Since the launch of the fudraising campaign in April 2004, we have made significant progress, thanks to the strong commitment of many stakeholders. I am grateful to all of our donors. Still, I would like to emphasize that we have not yet reached our fundraising goal, the attainment of which will be vital for the organization of the Tunis Summit and its successful outcome.To support WSIS-2005 with your valuable contributions, please call +41 22 730 6310 or send an email to wsis-fund@itu.int, for the attention of Mr. Christopher Clark.
More information on how to contribute to WSIS-2005 Fundraising CampaignYoshio UtsumiSecretary-General of ITU and Secretary-General of WSIS
Quick links:
Tunis Phase: Contributions »
Tunis Phase: Financial status »
Geneva Phase: Contributions »
Geneva Phase: Financial status »