The International Chamber of Commerce today announced the creation of an ambitious new initiative, Business Action to Support the Information Society (BASIS). This project will lend business expertise and experience to the emerging global dialogue that is shaping the agenda on Internet governance and information and communications technologies (ICTs), particularly in multistakeholder discussions at the United Nations and following the UN World Summits on the Information Society (WSIS).
Speaking at ICC's Paris headquarters during the launch of BASIS, ICC Secretary General Guy Sebban said: "Business is the driver of innovation in information and communications technologies. Men and women in businesses around the world have a wealth of experience to contribute to global efforts promoting the use of these tools for economic growth and social development. Creating the necessary conditions for business to do what it does best – create jobs, train workers, invent new technologies and develop business models - is essential for business to help build a more inclusive information society. BASIS will provide ongoing business input to help achieve these aims and the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)."
BASIS will give global business a strong and united voice at multistakeholder forums this year, including the Global Alliance for ICT and Development (GAID) in Kuala Lumpur. Mr Sebban co-chairs the steering committee for GAID. BASIS will also participate in the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Athens from 30 October to 2 November 2006.
"We want to consistently contribute to a multistakeholder dialogue where all partners are on an equal footing, to build consensus and enhance understanding of what it really means to take full advantage of these technologies: Namely, creating frameworks that promote competition and investment, protect intellectual property, stimulate innovation and boost entrepreneurship," said Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, Chairman of TAGI International, who chairs BASIS and co-chairs GAID's steering committee.
Partnerships involving business will be prominently featured at the Global Alliance this week. "Diversity of effort is vital in addressing the unique needs and challenges of the less fortunate. The Global Alliance for ICT and Development (GAID) welcomes BASIS as the representative of business, which will be a key stakeholder in the establishment of strategic partnerships as an engine for change. These partnerships engage various stakeholders and provide a platform where each member offers their perspective and expertise in the use of information and communication technologies toward the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals." said Sarbuland Khan, Executive Coordinator of the Secretariat of the Global Alliance for ICT and Development.
With BASIS, ICC is building on its reputation as the most authoritative voice of world business on these issues, developed through the work of its Coordinating Committee on Business Interlocutors (CCBI) at WSIS in Tunis (2005) and Geneva (2003).
In its first year, BASIS will focus on Internet governance and ICTs for development. BASIS members will share their depth of experience on these issues with governments, international organizations and civil society. BASIS will also highlight the importance which must be placed on education and ICT training.
WSIS Tunis spelled out 11 areas for further action requiring multistakeholder dialogue, from e-business to ICT training. For a list of WSIS goals, consult
www.itu.int/wsis/implementation/index.html#alm
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