Ávarp ráðuneytisstjóra menntamálaráðuneytis á leiðtogafundi Sameinuðu þjóðanna í Túnis

Guðmundur Árnason ráðuneytisstjóri í menntamálaráðuneyti, ávarpaði fyrir Íslands hönd leiðtogafund Sameinuðu þjóðanna um upplýsingasamfélagið í Túnis hinn 17. nóvember.

Guðmundur Árnason ráðuneytisstjóri ávarpar leiðtogafund Sameinuðu þjóðanna í Túnis

Guðmundur Árnason ráðuneytisstjóri í menntamálaráðuneyti, ávarpaði fyrir Íslands hönd leiðtogafund Sameinuðu þjóðanna um upplýsingasamfélagið í Túnis hinn17. nóvember.

Texti ræðunnar á ensku:

Statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Culture in Iceland

World Summit on the Information Society

Tunis, November 17th 2005

Mr. President, excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen.

On behalf of the Government of Iceland I would like to express my gratitude to the United Nations and the International Telecommunications Union for making this summit possible, and I commend the Tunisian Authorities for their fine initiative and hospitality.

Mr. President,

Iceland joins the distinguished delegates assembled in this hall in supporting the principles outlined in the Geneva Declaration and now reaffirmed in the Tunis Commitment, which we are about to adopt.

The Tunis Commitment covers a number of issues and areas that are of fundamental importance and indeed their importance reaches far beyond any narrowly defined scope associated with the development of ICT as such.

We are gathered to address the linkages between the development of ICT and how we wish to see the society develop on all levels, from the local to the global. In a more immediate sense, we are gathering to deliberate on how we intend to work together to achive the objectives we have set ourselves.

Mr. President,

ICT offers historically unparallelled opportunities. Among the policy objectives which Iceland wishes in particular to emphasise, be it in a national or global setting, are the following:

1. that each individual be given the right and the opportunity to be an active participant in the information society;

2. respect for freedom of opinion and expression; and

3. open access to information, public service and the proceedings of government.

We should not condone efforts to control or hinder the dissemination of information or any infringement on the freedom of the media, nor should we tolerate attempts to impose undue restrictions on the uses and applications of information and communication technology.

Indeed, we should seize every opportunity and make every possible effort to ensure that the development of ICT will underpin and sustain democratic processes and to improve governance.

ICTs have become an integral part of modern society and it is a matter of priority for nations to harness the great potential of ICT as a means to improve the quality of life of its citizens.

The primary focus in the Icelandic Government’s policy has been on the individual, his opportunities and welfare in society. The policy also stipulates that everyone should be given the opportunity to acquire the necessary basic skills for participating in the information and knowledge society on their own terms. To this end it has been the priority of the government to provide a reliable communications infrastructure with equal access to all, to provide education in computer skills and information literacy, a stable business environment and rich public services.

Mr. President,

The issue of inclusion transcends national boundaries. Therefore, people of all countries have to be provided with the means, the skills and the opportunities to participate in the information society. The Icelandic government wishes therefore to express its firm backing to the efforts of this Tunis summit to find practical solutions to avoid the further widening of the digital divide. Let us commit here in Tunis to seek to bridge this divide - to the benefit of all. As was convincingly argued from this podium yesterday morning by the Secretary of the ITU, we are in a rare win-win situation.

Ever since we embarked on the process which now seems set to culminate in the adoption of the Tunis Agenda, we have come to realise that there are no easy solutions and no clear roadmap to reach the ambitious goals that have been set. During this time, we have become ever more aware of the complexity and challenges, but yet ever more determined to overcome them. The importance of making concrete steps ahead is imperative. As the Secretary General of the UN, Mr. Kofi Annan, said yesterday morning, the Tunis Summit has to be a summit of solutions. And as has been reiterated time and again, the solutions cannot be accomplished unless we act in concert.

We have to focus our attention on the roles of governments to provide an enabling environment and a regluatory framework conducive to growth; the private sector has to be given the opportunity to unleash its dynamism and reqlise its potential; and non-governmental organisations and individuals alike have to make their contribution. By cooperating we can bring together experiences and draw common lessons to produce effective policies.

Mr. President,

At the close of the Tunis summit we have identified problems, reached a consensus on goals, and established the course for future action. However, the outcome of this summit should be seen as an emphatic plea for action, rather than a magic formula or blueprint for the future.

The Icelandic government supports the conclusions of this summit on the information society, and conveys its sincere gratitude to the organizers and the people of Tunisia for their excellent hospitality.

Thank you all for your kind attention.