|
Main page
Outcomes
Associated Events
Documents
Messages
Pacific Islands
Contact Info.
Links
Environment Section Homepage
| |
A
Vision for the Pacific Information Economy
Adopted
at the 13th South Pacific Forum 5 October 1999.
15. Leaders reiterated the critical
importance of efficient and effective communications services for economic and
social development and the constraints placed by the relatively high cost
structures of telecommunication networks for Forum Island Countries. They
emphasized again the need to promote competitive telecommunications markets and,
while taking into account social and rural/urban equity concerns, the need to
discourage cross subsidy between service sectors, as well as working towards a
cooperative approach to information infrastructure.
16. The Forum endorsed the outcomes of the
Forum Communication Ministers Meeting held on 26 April 1999 in Suva, the Fiji
Islands, at the Forum Secretariat. In particular, Leaders agreed to adopt a
"Forum Vision for the Pacific Information Economy" (attached as Annex
1) and tasked the Secretariat to coordinate the development of an appropriate
mechanism for regional regulators’ cooperation, in association with relevant
organizations.
Forum Vision for the
Pacific Information Economy:
The Forum recognises the significance of
the Global Information Infrastructure to the region’s future economic and
social development. While the development of national information
infrastructures remains the key in development efforts, the Forum also
recognises the complementary role of regional cooperation. Regional and national
policies for development should be formulated in consultation with all
stakeholders, both public and private.
Forum Leaders look towards developing a
regional community in which:
 |
The
processes of work, commerce, learning, education and training, social
interaction and government are being facilitated and enhanced by
communication and information technologies, enabling all citizens to take
part in the opportunities brought home by the global information economy. |
|
All
citizens, particularly those outside the major towns and cities, have
unprecedented access to communications, information, government services
such as health and education, entertainment and culture, goods and services
from around the region and the world; and have the skills and knowledge to
access what they need on-line, the opportunity to share experiences about
cultures and ways of life throughout global society and to make creative
contributions to the stock of ideas and products available. |
|
The
education and training systems promote the development of a citizen body
which can confidently take advantage of the benefits of on-line technology
and produce high quality information professionals with up-to-date skills. |
|
Investment,
job creation and trade within the information economy bring growing and
continuous benefits to the region’s economy, generating revenue, jobs and
economic efficiencies for the whole regional economy. |
|
Cultural
life is flourishing and diverse, with the information economy reducing
isolation and providing a vehicle for indigenous cultures to reach wide
audiences through use of multimedia and on-line communications. |
|
The
people of the region are significant contributors of content to the on-line
world in an environment in which innovative content creation is able to
flourish. |
|
The
unique qualities of the Pacific are maintained and enhanced. |
|
The
opportunities and demands of the global information economy encourage a
culture of trade, innovation and enterprise in which business increasingly
takes Pacific ideas, goods and services to markets all over the world,
enhancing the region’s competitiveness in the global economy. |
26 April 1999
|
