Contribution to the Special Trust Fund for CSTD activities with regard to ten-year follow-up of WSIS outcomes (WSIS+10)

Description What is done in the programme or project and why, what results are pursued, who benefits from the activities and who are involved in the implementation.

Support to the UNCTAD´s Trust Fund to contribute to the overall review of the implementation of the WSIS (World Summit of the Information Society) outcomes. In accordance with paragraph 111 of the Tunis Agenda of the Information Society, the United Nations has to conduct the overall review in 2015. The UNCTAD provides the secretariat for the Commission on Science and Technology for Development which is one of the ECOSOC´s functional Commissions. It has a central role in the review due to its mandate in the WSIS follow up. Finland´s contribution will provide the CSTD with the support necessary to achieve the mandated contribution to the UN system-wide review of follow-up and implementation of WSIS outcomes. The main part of Finland´s support is channeled to the recruitment of one temporary expert and consultants to service the secretariat for a period of one year. The support allows the realization of the WSIS+10 review in a coordinated manner with due attention paid to all relevant stakeholders. The findings of the review will contribute to better harnessing of the ICT´s for the benefit of development also in the future. The findings should also benefit the larger development agenda of the United Nations, including the review process of the Millennium Development Goals. Finland has supported the UNCTAD´s WSIS Trust Fund with 300 000 euros in 2010-2012. The support was channeled to temporary consultancy work carried out by the secretariat, including the realization of the mid-term review of the WSIS commitments and the participation of developing countries in the CSTD meetings.