Fourth, some developing countries were rapidly building up their capacities in ICT related services.

d) Create an enabling environment that will promote equitable and affordable access to ICT infrastructure and services

1.196 All ICT services will have been enhanced through implementation of a clearly defined strategy and implementation plan.

Evidence shows that growth in ICT goods and services trade has been higher than growth in total trade.

In the context of the ICT Network, it is important to note that, further to a decision of its governing body (Management Committee), the International Computing Centre is pursuing the following five ICT initiatives common payroll system global messaging system United Nations ICT training ICT services sourcing strategy and information security, disaster recovery and business continuity.

Within the current broad structure of the Central Product Classification, ICT, information, health and other services products have been elaborated.

Comment by the Administration. The Information Technology Services Division has been working with some departments on the development of their ICT strategy.

ICT Development Index The ICT Development Index compares the level of ICT use and access across the world.

ICT access points can act as vehicles for launching various services for empowering disadvantaged communities through networking and sharing of information and knowledge.

The ICT Network (ICT directors of the entities of the United Nations system), in close collaboration with the ICT Task Force, developed a proposal on a system wide ICT strategy.

Such services may include informal ICT based training and specific applications in areas such as e health, e business, e government and e learning.

Memorandums of understanding for ICT production services and for development services were expected to be signed with UNFPA in the second quarter of 2005 and memorandums of understanding with UNOPS will be executed soon thereafter.

ICT sector statistics

ICT and women's empowerment

ICT FOR DEVELOPMENT AGENDA

Other ICT use indicators

The core list covered three broad areas of measurement basic ICT infrastructure and access, ICT access and use by households, and ICT access and use by businesses.

Access to information and communication technology (ICT) applications and services and systematic knowledge sharing in disadvantaged communities and rural areas is either non existent or very limited.

Outputs ICT strategies, recommendations, standards, policies, guidelines and procedures Mainframe, client server, network and desktop infrastructure, including acquisition, installation, security, operation and maintenance Implementation, maintenance and support of all ICT based production systems and commercial applications Knowledge based products, including books, journals, online information services, and tools.

1.184 To implement further reforms in the areas of procurement and logistics, ICT, construction and engineering to ensure that the provision of services achieves best value for money.

Information services. In order to improve the productivity and competitiveness of SMEs, UNIDO has assisted with the establishment of national, sustainable capacities for information and ICT support activities.

Regional ICT Policy and Regulation

UN ICT Task Force (2003).

ICT and tourism for development

C. Measuring ICT for development

The Digital Divide ICT Development Indices 2004 reviews trends in the digital divide and focuses on ICT developments in Africa, with a case study on the ICT sector in Egypt.

Also, an ICT policy was drafted in May 2005 to address the risks associated with the ICT environment.

The ICT function seeks to add value to the internal and external partners and customers of UNICEF by providing secure, high quality information management systems, networks, services and support.

Support in emergency situations will continue to be a core ICT function, to ensure the rapid establishment of appropriate information technology and telecommunications services and skilled staff during emergencies.

Infrastructure Backbone Development Harmonisation of Policy Framework ICT Support Programme ICT Policy Regulation Programme East African Submarine Cable System

Stocktaking results are in the publication Measuring ICT The Global Status of ICT Indicators, available at http measuring ict.unctad.org.

ICT management and Atlas project management

Information and communication technology (ICT) management

Ttopic ICT and tourism for development

ICT access and use in enterprises

E. Women, the Media and ICT

The limited availability of internationally comparable data on ICT, in particular on the use and impact of ICT in developing countries, severely restricts an empirical analysis of the trends and impact of ICT.

b) Promote early intervention programmes in ICT that target young girls in order to encourage them to involve themselves in ICT related disciplines and to increase the number of women in ICT careers

Comment by the Administration. The standards task force of the ICT Board continues to address ICT standards throughout the Secretariat.

Women however, have, significantly less access to ICT in many countries, and occupational segregation in the ICT sector hinders the contribution of ICT to an enabling environment for gender equality and empowerment of women.

1.182 To establish a quality assurance function aimed at enhancing customer satisfaction through effective communication, reliability, timeliness and cost effectiveness of the operational and support services in ICT, procurement and engineering.

It seeks to provide a comprehensive practical assessment of the ICT development policies required for developing and for promoting ICT globally.

ICT should be undertaken in the context of the Partnership on Measuring ICT for Development that was launched at UNCTAD XI.

(b) Setting ICT policy, strategy and procedures

Item 3 ICT and Tourism for Development