Negotiators clear last summit hurdle
On the eve of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), negotiators have reached a last-minute agreement on the thorny issue of financing.
The eleventh hour deal clears the way for a draft plan of action and declaration to be presented to world leaders on Wednesday.
Following more than four days of intense, closed-door discussions in Geneva, delegates from more than 150 countries finally overcame the last stumbling block on Tuesday.
At stake was a proposal by African countries to create a special solidarity fund, which would subsidise the development of information technology networks in poor countries.
Many industrialised nations staunchly oppose the proposal, arguing that existing funds should be redirected towards the integration of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in developing countries.
Other delegations, including the Swiss, were keen to see both possibilities examined further before launching such a fund.
Switerland’s chief negotiator at the summit, Marc Furrer, said he was forced to take a “hard stance” to push delegates to reach an agreement.
“I said ‘look, it’s this or nothing’, and then we reached a compromise,” said Furrer, “so I’m very pleased.”
The draft plan of action states that a United Nations-led feasibility study will be carried to determine whether a fund of this nature should be established.
The UN is due to report back its findings by the end of 2004.
Swiss role
The WSIS was originally called to help bridge the digital divide between industrialised and developing nations, but negotiations quickly became entangled in topics such as press freedom and control over the internet.
But thanks to last-ditch efforts by the Swiss, disputes over references to human rights, media freedom, intellectual property rights and internet governance and security were resolved.
As the host country of the event, Switzerland was charged with leading formal and behind-the-scenes talks between government delegations, after a fourth round of preparatory meetings in November failed to resolve outstanding differences.
“We took the lead as the facilitator, negotiator and mediator on all of the topics and I could see how much Switzerland, as a country, is accepted in this role due to our impartiality and neutrality,” Furrer told swissinfo.
Another high-ranking Swiss official, Daniel Stauffacher, said he was surprised by the “willingness of all countries to make compromises and to help Switzerland make this [event] a success”.
“We got a lot of support and at the end of the day, everybody made some great concessions, while not compromising their interests,” he added.
Down to business
On Tuesday night, Switzerland will host an official welcome ceremony for thousands of delegates and over 60 world leaders gathered in Geneva.
The event is expected to be an upbeat affair and will feature the performance of a song called “Bright World” by 122 children from around the globe.
The Swiss president and leader of the summit, Pascal Couchepin, is expected to challenge summit delegates to use the occasion as a “unique opportunity to focus the world’s attention on the need to use the power of the information society”.
He is also likely to tell the crowd that information should be a public good and that access to it lies at the heart of development.
Earlier on Tuesday, Couchepin delivered a pre-recorded speech at the opening of the World Electronic Media Forum, a parallel event to the main summit that aims to give radio and television broadcasters an opportunity to discuss their role in the emerging information society.
Meanwhile, the Swiss foreign minister, Micheline Calmy-Rey, presided over the launch of ICT4D, a platform designed to highlight the importance of ICTs for development.
swissinfo, Anna Nelson in Geneva
Over 60 heads of state or government are expected to attend the World Summit on the Information Society, which starts on Wednesday in Geneva.
Thousands of representatives of civil society, the private sector and international organisations will also take part in the event.
The aim of the WSIS is to make sure all people have access to the emerging Information Society.
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