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Follow-up and Implementation: Mandates |
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TECHNOLOGY |
MANDATES |
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MANDATES
Develop an evidence-based Action Plan that takes into account the sociocultural, economic, and structural challenges facing the Americas region and includes, among others, identifying measures for national and international coordination and cooperation, taking into account the global commitments assumed by the states with respect to health and resilience, with a view to:
d. Strengthening regional and global health security and public health emergency preparedness for the future in keeping with previously established commitments, and increase health research and development funding, promoting regional actions to build and strengthen national and regional development and sustainable production capacities for raw materials, pharmaceuticals, and medicines, including safe and effective vaccines, medical supplies, and other essential health technologies; improving affordability and access; and responding to regional health needs, as appropriate, particularly during health emergencies;
e. Encouraging regional activities to increase investment and foster industry, including voluntary technology transfer on mutually-agreed terms;
g. Leveraging digital tools and strengthen cooperation and the exchange of best practices for the development and application of these technologies, including the use of artificial intelligence; and safeguarding privacy in the handling of personal data, in order to facilitate access to actions for promotion of preventive and curative care, including treatment to bolster national and regional capacities; (Action Plan on Health and Resilience in the Americas, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
To advance the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forest and Land Use, national deforestation and conservation commitments, and regional efforts to halt and reverse deforestation and conserve, sustainably manage, and use ecosystems, we commit to strengthen our efforts to:
c. Adopt, as appropriate, national initiatives to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation, which includes the protection of biodiversity and ecosystems, implementing more ambitious actions in keeping with science and the goal of pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels; (Our Sustainable Green Future, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
To decrease the amount of greenhouse gas emissions released into the atmosphere from agricultural, forestry, mining, and other land-use sectors, we commit to:
c. Pursue policies and develop mechanisms to improve the sustainable use and management of chemicals and technological practices, to promote the development of sustainable agriculture practices that maintain productivity and food security, and avoid negative impacts on local communities, rural producers, and consumers, and that support healthy terrestrial ecosystems, water systems, and the health of human populations and of fauna and flora in general; (Our Sustainable Green Future, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Recall that the Glasgow Climate Pact calls upon Parties to accelerate the development, deployment, and dissemination of technologies, and the adoption of policies to transition towards low-emission energy systems, including by rapidly scaling up the deployment of clean power generation and energy efficiency measures, including accelerating efforts towards the phasedown of unabated coal power and phase-out of inefficient fossil fuel subsidies, while providing targeted support to the poorest and most vulnerable in line with national circumstances and recognizing the need for support towards a just transition. (Accelerating the Clean, Sustainable, Renewable, and Just Energy Transition, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Support and promote cooperation to increase the share of all forms and types of renewable energy in the countries of the Americas, according to their national strategies, including wind, solar, offshore wind, bioenergy, geothermal, hydroelectricity, and other low-carbon emissions energy, particularly in the electric, industrial, transportation, and housing sectors, along with carbon capture, storage, and removal technologies, and emission abatement mechanisms, as well as low carbon hydrogen that may contribute to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. (Accelerating the Clean, Sustainable, Renewable, and Just Energy Transition, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Create favorable and fair conditions for the participation of public and private capital, both domestic and foreign, and multilateral organizations in the development of new, clean, and renewable energy sources, as well as the promotion of knowledge sharing in matters of energy efficiency and disruptive technologies that enable mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, such as the incorporation of the use of sustainable biofuels, and of low-carbon hydrogen and electric mobility. (Accelerating the Clean, Sustainable, Renewable, and Just Energy Transition, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Encourage the development of national plans or strategies on digital transformation and innovation that also promote the secure, responsible, and lawful use of digital technologies, in line with international standards. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Encourage, in particular, such action with respect to persons with disabilities or with specific needs, as well as members of groups that have been historically marginalized, discriminated against, and/or in vulnerable situations, as well as all women and girls, taking into account their diverse conditions and situations, in a manner consistent with national legislation and international law, to broadly use digital platforms. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Develop a set of public policies that will allow us to promote digital inclusion, citizen cybersecurity, and access to education and culture, to digital services provided in trustworthy and secure conditions, to open and public information, and to financial services to promote universal access and accessibility to digital content and products, as well as promote citizen participation through digital tools and means. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Promote national research and innovation networks and their regional and international integration, recognizing that information and communication technologies (ICTs), connectivity, and digital infrastructures are essential components for the economic, scientific, and technological development of countries. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Promote the dissemination and use of emerging and digital technologies. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
To promote the appropriate, convergent, and progressive use of information and communication technologies, emerging technologies, and new technologies to promote sustainable and integral development, fostering innovation, inclusion, and competitiveness. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Promote the convergence of existing regional initiatives in this Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation in the Americas, based on current commitments and on the national strategies on the matter, as well as the collaboration of the relevant institutions of the inter-American system. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Request support from members of the Joint Summit Working Group for the process of defining and implementing the agenda via the Summit of the Americas process. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Promote equality of all persons in cyberspace regardless of their country of origin and facilitate equitable, meaningful, affordable, and universal broadband internet access and connectivity, particularly for remote and rural communities of the Americas. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Promote the development of infrastructure that enables the deployment of interoperable, resilient, secure, and reliable telecommunications networks with open architecture and which are technologically neutral, as well as regulatory policies that expand coverage, facilitate connectivity, promote competitiveness, and drive digital innovation. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Support digital infrastructure- and connectivity-related studies, national and regional networks, and projects currently underway that enable us to achieve greater integration within the region, and between the region and other continents and regions of the world. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Expand next generation broadband connectivity based on national capacities, promote enabling environments for new technologies, and strengthen interoperability by advancing regional harmonization on radio frequency allocation. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Expand the use of digital technologies for promotion of quality education, digital literacy, and digital citizenry for the future. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Foster the creation of smart cities and territories that enable integral development, digital government, reduce the digital divide, and further financial inclusion by expanding payment instruments, alternative financing mechanisms, and other digital financial services; and in this regard, acknowledge that building smart cities raises new challenges that require respect for citizens’ security, privacy, and human rights. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Promote respect for human rights, including freedom of expression, as well as digital literacy, privacy of personal data, and the dissemination and secure, responsible, and lawful development and use of emerging and digital technologies, in line with international standards, to address the challenges of content moderation and to fight against disinformation. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Foster the use of the internet in a responsible manner, while upholding freedom of expression, stability, security, and functionality, as well as the transparent and multi-stakeholder governance of the internet, provided that its use does not violate or impair human rights and fundamental freedoms, and it is otherwise in accordance with domestic legislation. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Accelerate digital government transformation and support the simplification of administrative procedures and modernization of public services, as well as strengthen the quality of digital literacy and digital citizenry, always taking into consideration the protection of citizens’ personal data. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Continue to promote the use and leverage of information and communication technologies, with the digitalization of public service delivery to strengthen transparency, improve efficiency and accountability, as well as improve the quality of life of citizens, and promote democracy and citizen participation as protagonists of public management, respecting the sovereignty and integrity of each State. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Foster mechanisms for funding development of digital transformation policies in the Americas. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Promote the digitalization of citizen services to facilitate carrying out remote processes and services, as well as to establish technically efficient mechanisms, procedures, and standards for communication, openness and the interoperability of information among States, enabling the recognition of cross-border digital certificates, in accordance with each State’s domestic legislation. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Further a strategy of open data and public information that facilitates interoperability in the region, strengthening collaboration and active participation among States, civil society, the private sector, and academia towards an open-government approach. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Promote transparency and accountability in the management, publication, and use of open data and digital technologies, including the responsible and ethical development and use of artificial intelligence systems and other transformative technologies, while protecting individual privacy and personal data and promoting equity and respect for human rights and inclusive growth; and foster transparency and accountable use of algorithms that enable their auditing and technical evaluation, in a manner consistent with domestic legislation and international law. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Foster coordinated and transparent practices in the digital issuance of government permits by, inter alia, using digital one-stop shops as a measure to prevent corruption, promote competitiveness, and expedite the corresponding permits. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Improve and leverage the production of data and statistics by digital technologies with the aim of designing evidence-based equitable public policies as well as developing digital policy impact assessments. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Improve user-centered public service design and delivery, fostering cooperation with public, private, and civil society stakeholders to create public value. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Promote digital transformation of government through inclusive policy-making processes, the professional development of civil servants, and other institutional capacities, which reinforce public institutional leadership and public trust. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Promote regional efforts to share knowledge, tools, and digital solutions that could accelerate digital transformation of government across the Americas, reinforcing the central role of the collaborative networks. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Coordinate, articulate, and strengthen cooperation actions with international agencies, regional public entities, and Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) to manage cybersecurity incidents and strengthen trust in the digital milieu. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Promote the development of digital talent specialized in cybersecurity in the region with the goal of strengthening the different stakeholders’ cybersecurity risk management and identification capacities and of encouraging appropriate digital behaviors and practices by society at large. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Foster the discussion of standards and the exchange of best practices in the areas of cybersecurity and protection of users and consumers, as well as citizens in general, on cybercrime prevention in line with the provisions of international and regional instruments, such as the Convention on Cybercrime of the Council of Europe (Budapest Convention), where applicable, with participation of the private sector, academia, and other stakeholders. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Promote and strengthen international cooperation among States to effectively prevent, prosecute, investigate, and try cybercrimes, illicit use of data that belong to government, private institutions, and persons and other criminal activities furthered by the misuse of information and communication technologies, such as human trafficking, migrant smuggling, child sexual exploitation and other forms of sexual violence, and illicit drug and arms trafficking, as well as money laundering, inter alia, in a framework of respect for human rights and with a gender perspective. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Promote technical assistance, programs, projects, and transfer of capacity and experiences in preventing cybercrime in information and communication technologies among states, in accordance with each country’s national legal system. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Support discussions at the United Nations and other global and regional fora, on existing and emerging threats, the development and implementation of the framework for responsible-state behavior in cyberspace, including respect for international law in activities in cyberspace, confidence-building measures, capacity building, and institutional dialogue to foster responsible use of ICTs by states, and international peace and stability. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Strengthen articulation with the private sector, academia, civil society, and other stakeholders to promote shared responsibility and cooperation, and design coordinated actions for digital security and trust in the face of risks in the digital world. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Foster an inclusive, resilient, efficient, and equitable economic recovery, making use of digital technologies. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Promote the development of competitiveness indicators by using the digital economy and implementing digital technologies. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Support ICT intellectual property protection and entrepreneurship. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Promote and encourage the use of digital technologies in the health sector to improve, inter alia, patient accessibility, process efficiency, and service delivery, while accommodating those who do not have digital access. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Strengthen regional cooperation on digital trade in goods and services, including commitments to facilitate the free flow of cross-border data, considering applicable regulatory frameworks, protecting privacy and user data. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Promote the development of smart industries based on the use of clean energies. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Expand opportunities and capacity for businesses, particularly micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and entrepreneurs, to participate in e-commerce, utilize digital technologies or tools, and logistics services encouraging free competition to improve their operations and develop digital skills for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and access to markets to become more competitive. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Promote the use of digital technologies to develop a smart, sustainable, and resilient tourism sector. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Strengthen financial inclusion through the use of digital payments and other digital financial services. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
Leverage and develop inclusive digital tools in providing immediate response to climate events, disasters, and other emergencies, while strengthening resilience and decision-making based on empirical evidence. (Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).
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Promoting and or strengthening the implementation of national policies and plans, and as appropriate subnational plans in the areas of open government, digital government, open data, fiscal transparency, open budgeting, digital procurement systems, public contracting and a public registry of state suppliers, considering towards that end the participation of civil society and other social actors. (Lima Commitment. Peru, 2018)
Promoting the use of new technologies that facilitate digital government in order to promote transparency, interaction with citizens and accountability, through development of tools for the identification, detection, systematization, and monitoring of government procedures and, to that end, strengthening cooperation and exchange of best practices on the development and application of such technologies. (Lima Commitment. Peru, 2018)
Promoting the use of digital systems for government procurement and contracting of services and public works, to ensure disclosure, transparency, citizen oversight, and effective accountability. (Lima Commitment. Peru, 2018)
Requesting that the Joint Summit Working Group (JSWG), together with other relevant regional and international bodies, develop an infrastructure platform to facilitate the exchange of experiences, training and cooperation programs for project monitoring and development, feasibility and risk analysis studies, transparent bidding procedures, and government procurement. (Lima Commitment. Peru, 2018)
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To promote agreements for academic and scientific exchanges and the transfer of knowledge and technologies in order to impact the education sector, with a view to contributing to education and training processes to the fullest possible extent of respective national capacities. (Education, Initiatives VII Summit of the Americas, Panama City, 2015).
To promote energy cooperation strategies based on solidarity and complementarity, including fostering the sharing of information and experiences on measures adopted to enhance efficiency, coverage, access, and quality of energy services, as well as the development of diverse energy sources, using technologies and management instruments ensuring economic development, social inclusion and that preserve the environment, with special emphasis on less scientifically and technologically developed countries, through, inter alia, the transfer of technology, without conditionality. Additionally, to promote the use of indicators to provide reliable information for measuring progress made with these goals, and to request the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the CAF, the IDB, and the Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE) to continue supporting the efforts of countries to that end. (Energy, Initiatives VII Summit of the Americas, Panama City, 2015).
To facilitate equitable, pluralistic, broad, secure, and reliable access to new information and communication technologies in order to promote and build new forms of citizen participation, with full respect for all human rights, including the right to privacy, as set out in article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and article 17 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. (Citizen Participation, Initiatives VII Summit of the Americas, Panama City, 2015).
To encourage the transfer of available technologies in energy under voluntary and mutually agreed terms, as well as the exchange of best practices. (Integration of Physical Infrastructure in the Americas, Cartagena, 2012).
To promote greater investment in, and access to, research, technological innovation, and capacity-building in order to strengthen and ensure a sustainable, comprehensive, inclusive, and competitive agro-food sector that would contribute to food security and the reduction of poverty and inequity, particularly in marginalized rural and urban areas. (Poverty, Inequality, and Inequity, Cartagena, 2012).
To strengthen our institutional platforms for disaster risk management, in collaboration with subregional, regional, and international mechanisms, through strategies of mutual assistance and partnership, in order to facilitate joint research, the exchange of knowledge, information, best practices, lessons learned in this area, and technology transfer under mutually agreed terms. (Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, Cartagena, 2012).
To foster participation and collaboration between the public and private sectors, social actors and communities to promote initiatives, in accordance with corresponding domestic legal frameworks, which enable our educational centers and health facilities, including in remote and rural areas, to enjoy equitable and affordable access to, and use of, expanded broadband, information and communication technologies (ICTs), and computers. (Access to and use of Information and Communication Technologies, Cartagena, 2012).
To promote and establish, as appropriate, programs to encourage the training of teachers for the inclusion and effective use of ICTs in education, and for the production and sharing of relevant educational materials in each country. (Access to and use of Information and Communication Technologies, Cartagena, 2012).
To promote the more intensive application of ICTs in health, with a view to improving the efficiency of our countries’ health information systems, including accurate record keeping, and of subregional and regional alert systems for public health events of international concern; the expansion of continuing education programs for health workers and the population; and access to information on health services in those centers and communities that need it the most. (Access to and use of Information and Communication Technologies, Cartagena, 2012).
To promote the development, coordination, and implementation of strategies and projects, as appropriate, for expanding access to, and use of, ICTs with the support and participation of international organizations, the private sector, social actors, and communities, in order to achieve greater social inclusion and improve the quality of life of our peoples. (Access to and use of Information and Communication Technologies, Cartagena, 2012).
To promote and support, as appropriate, initiatives that expand the contribution of ICTs to innovation, entrepreneurship, productivity, competitiveness, the emergence of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, and economic growth, within the framework of sustainable development. (Access to and use of Information and Communication Technologies, Cartagena, 2012).
To strengthen our efforts to make government affairs more transparent and accountable by supporting ICT initiatives and projects that enhance citizen engagement and provide capacity building for the creation, accessibility, and sharing of on-line information and knowledge, as permitted by law. (Access to and use of Information and Communication Technologies, Cartagena, 2012).
To promote transparency, accountability, and anti-corruption initiatives in the private sector, with the support of ICT programs, activities, and projects, as appropriate, to improve the capacity of stakeholders to participate and access information, as permitted by law. (Access to and use of Information and Communication Technologies, Cartagena, 2012).
To further promote the cooperation of international organizations, specialized agencies, the private sector, and other social actors in the collection and analysis of uniform data on information and communication technologies, as appropriate, with a view to strengthening public policies, including the design of adequate strategies on the use of those technologies. (Access to and use of Information and Communication Technologies, Cartagena, 2012).
In order to foster innovation, increase competitiveness and promote social development, and taking note of the outcomes of the Second Meeting of Ministers and High Authorities of Science and Technology, held in Mexico City in 2008, we commit to create conditions for increasing public investment and to take measures that promote investment in the private sector, particularly in science, technology, engineering, innovation, research and development, and to encourage the strengthening of linkages among universities, science institutions, the private and public sectors, multilateral agencies, civil society and workers. We recognise that the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights should contribute to the promotion of technological innovation and to the transfer and dissemination of technology, to the mutual advantage of producers and users of technological knowledge and in a manner conducive to social and economic welfare and to a balance of rights and obligations. Therefore, we reiterate our commitment to their protection in accordance with the Agreement on Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) (Declaration of Port of Spain, 2009).
We recognise that the benefits of a digital society should reach all citizens of the Americas. Additionally, we consider that reducing the digital divide, both among and within the nations of the Americas, is one of the conditions for achieving internationally agreed development objectives, including those of the Millennium Declaration. We therefore renew our commitment to collaborate with regional, subregional and multinational agencies to advance progress in the implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), the Agenda for Connectivity in the Americas - the Plan of Action of Quito and the Declaration of the OAS General Assembly held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic in 2006 on ‘Good Governance and Development in the Knowledge-Based Society’, and we take note of the eLAC 2010 Plan of Action contained in the San Salvador Commitment of 2008. We call upon our Ministers and high level authorities with responsibility for information and communication technologies (ICT) and for health and education to promote the use of ICT in all those areas in which they can improve our public and private sectors and the quality of life of our people, and to seek to improve access for households and communities (Declaration of Port of Spain, 2009).
We commit to support the improvement of the quality of the teaching of science and we will strive to incorporate science, technology, engineering, and innovation as principal factors in national strategies and plans for social and economic development, for the fundamental purpose of reducing poverty and generating decent work. In this vein, we support the Declaration and Plan of Action adopted at the Ministerial Meeting of Science and Technology held in Lima (Declaration of Mar del Plata, 2005).
We recognize that scientific and technological research, and scientific development and progress play a fundamental role in the integral development of our societies, by building knowledge-based economies and contributing to economic growth and increased productivity. In this regard, we reiterate our support for the institutions established earlier in the Summits Process, such as the Inter-American Committee on Science and Technology, to create a scientific culture in the Hemisphere. We will continue to support public and private research associations and promote their interaction (Declaration of Mar del Plata, 2005).
We will continue to increase investment in science and technology, with the participation of the private sector and the support of multilateral institutions. We will also intensify our efforts to encourage our universities and higher institutions of science and technology to increase their linkages and deepen basic and applied research and promote greater incorporation of workers in the agenda of innovation. We will facilitate the greatest interaction possible between scientific and technological research communities by fostering the establishment and consolidation of advanced research networks and synergies among educational institutions, research centers, the public and private sectors and civil society (Declaration of Mar del Plata, 2005).
We recognize that the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights should contribute to the promotion of technological innovation and to the transfer and dissemination of technology, to the mutual advantage of producers and users of technological knowledge and in a manner conducive to social and economic welfare, and to a balance of rights and obligations. Therefore, we reiterate our commitment to their protection in accordance with the WTO Agreement on Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (Declaration of Mar del Plata, 2005).
We will do our utmost to take advantage of the possibilities offered by information and communication technologies to increase efficiency and transparency in the public sector, and to facilitate the participation of citizens in public life, thereby helping to strengthen democratic governance in the region. In that sense, we will continue promoting the adoption in the region of training programs in e-government, by sharing the experience of countries that have made headway in this field. This will help boost the skills of public sector employees through the use of innovative tools such as on-line training portals for government officials currently implemented in some countries. These actions will provide training at several levels, thereby helping to improve the skills of civil servants and strengthening education in democratic values and best practices in the region (Declaration of Mar del Plata, 2005).
To favor the research, development, and adoption of renewable and efficient energy sources and the deployment of technology for cleaner and more efficient energy sources, including among them, those that foster the intensive use of labor, which, together with the promotion of sustainable development, and addressing climate change concerns, permit the reduction of poverty. (Plan of Action Mar del Plata, 2005).
To promote increased funding and investment in science and technology, engineering and innovation. To request the appropriate multilateral organizations to strengthen technical and financial cooperation activities aimed at pursuing this goal and at the development of national innovation systems. (Plan of Action Mar del Plata, 2005).
We agree that scientific and technological research and development plays an important role in creating and sustaining productive economies. We will continue to formulate policies and guidelines that support public and private research associations and promote their interaction with the productive sectors, taking into account the requirements and objectives of our countries. We will continue to enhance investments in the area of science and technology, with the participation of the private sector and the support of multilateral organizations. Accordingly, we will strive to improve effective and equitable access to, and transfer of, technology. We will also redouble our efforts to encourage our universities and higher institutions of science and technology to multiply and strengthen the links among them, and deepen basic and applied research. In all of these undertakings, we commit to the protection of intellectual property in accordance with both national laws and international agreements (Declaration of Nuevo León, 2004).
We will seek, within the framework of our national legislation and authority, to promote affordable access to information and communications technology for all, and encourage the full and active participation of civil society, including the private sector, in meeting this goal (Declaration of Nuevo León, 2004).
Our collective hemispheric efforts will be more effective through innovative uses of information and communications technologies to connect our governments and our people and to share knowledge and ideas. Our statement, Connecting the Americas, underscores this conviction (Declaration of Québec, 2001).
Noting that access to existing and emerging information and communications technologies has an increasingly significant impact on the lives of individuals and offers important opportunities for democratic development, and that the media has an important role to play in promoting a democratic culture :( Plan of Action Québec, 2001).
Facilitate the upgrading of human resources in the telecommunications sector through ongoing training programs on telecommunications policy, regulation, management and technology, and request the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL), in coordination with national agencies, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)'s Centre of Excellence for the Americas, and in partnership with regional and subregional organizations and the private sector, to create a focal point for information on human resource development programs to foster exchanges of information on relevant training programs among governments, universities, industry associations and the private sector, in order to assist countries of the Americas in meeting the growing need for trained and competent personnel in the rapidly changing knowledge based economy; ( Plan of Action Québec, 2001).
Take measures striving to implement the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) for Conformity Assessment developed by CITEL without prejudice to each participant`s sovereign right to regulate its own telecommunications sector, and encourage discussion of adequate standards to ensure interoperability for existing and future telecommunications networks and the timely introduction of technology in new and existing markets, taking into account the regulations and recommendations of the ITU and other appropriate standard-setting bodies; :( Plan of Action Québec, 2001).
Support the convening of the ITU World Summit on the Information Society to be held in 2003, which will focus on the use of information and communications technologies for social and economic development; (Plan of Action Québec, 2001).
Recommend that our national bodies work within CITEL to prepare guidelines on Universal Service, based on principles to be developed by CITEL and develop a clear definition of the responsibilities of governments and private entities; (Plan of Action Québec, 2001).
Instruct, as appropriate, our telecommunications authorities and our relevant regulatory bodies, working within our regional and sub regional agencies and organizations to develop and implement before the next Summit of the Americas a cooperative and collaborative program to support a connectivity agenda for the Hemisphere; (Plan of Action Québec, 2001).
Encourage increased competitiveness and productivity of all sectors through applications such as distance education and tele-health and promote the creation of domestic activities dedicated to the generation of Internet based industries; (Plan of Action Québec, 2001).
Request ministries or departments responsible for telecommunications and appropriate regulatory bodies to cooperate, within CITEL, in order to clarify and simplify rules governing the provision of satellite services in our countries, and work to complete the development of a Hemispheric Web site including each country’s requirements and forms of application for licensing to provide satellite-based telecommunications services; (Plan of Action Québec, 2001).
Promote the modernization and expansion of telecommunications infrastructure in rural and urban areas through timely introduction of new technologies and services, in particular broadband technologies, the adoption of new standards on telecasting, Web casting, and Internet Protocol (IP), paying particular attention to spectrum management, interconnection policies, appropriate pace of development and emergency communications; (Plan of Action Québec, 2001).
Address voluntary funding for the implementation of CITEL's additional mandates set out in this Plan of Action; (Plan of Action Québec, 2001).
Provide and improve where necessary, both in rural and urban areas, access to quality information systems for micro, small and medium sized enterprises through the creation of non discriminatory mechanisms with the cooperation of the IDB, the World Bank, other donors, as appropriate, as well as ECLAC, and establish programs aimed at promoting the use of computers and the Internet, based on public and private sector partnership, to gain greater access to information technology, to credit and markets and to instruments designed to assist them in all these areas;(Plan of Action Québec, 2001).
Promote the popularization of science and technology necessary to advance the establishment and consolidation of a scientific culture in the region; and stimulate the development of science and technology for regional connectivity through information and communications technologies essential for building knowledge-based societies ;( Plan of Action Québec, 2001).
Support the development of high-level human capital for the development of science and technology research and innovation that would encourage the strengthening of the agricultural, industrial, commercial and business sectors as well as the sustainability of the environment;(Plan of Action Québec, 2001).
Promote, with the support of existing cooperation mechanisms, the development of the regional program of science and technology indicators; (Plan of Action Québec, 2001).
Endeavor to implement and follow up on the scientific and technological activities mentioned above, counting on the support of hemispheric cooperation and coordination mechanisms related to this field; (Plan of Action Québec, 2001).
Promote programs of cooperation, through the use of advanced information technology and with the support of the international institutions that deal with administration of justice, in areas identified by the OAS Working Group on Democracy and Human Rights, which include: Training of police and correctional officers; Necessary steps to remedy inhumane conditions in prisons and reduce drastically the number of pre-trial detainees; and Enhancing human rights education for judges, magistrates and other court officials. (Plan of Action Santiago, 1998).
Recognize that science and technology are related to various areas and objectives of this Plan of Action within and beyond economic integration, free trade and sustainable development. (Plan of Action Santiago, 1998).
Continue implementing the Cartagena Plan of Action, agreed to in 1996, with emphasis on strengthening the capacity of the countries in the Hemisphere to participate and benefit from the knowledge-based global economy, promoting, among other actions, the growth of the communications and information industries as strategic components of national and regional integration processes. In the context of the Cartagena Declaration, recognize the important role that existing regional institutions play in implementing this Plan of Action. (Plan of Action Santiago, 1998).
Support the development and use of science, technology and innovation indicators in fulfillment of the Cartagena Plan. (Plan of Action Santiago, 1998).
Promote actions to foster alliances among all sectors of society to advance cooperation and innovation in science and technology. It is recognized that university-industry relations, training in technology management and other human resource development programs, as well as participation of small and medium-sized companies, are important elements for utilizing science and technology to achieve hemispheric objectives. (Plan of Action Santiago, 1998).
Establish strategies to support the development and continuous updating of a regional telecommunications infrastructure plan, taking into account national plans, the need for universal access to basic telecommunications services throughout the Region and the evolution of Global Information Society . (Plan of Action Santiago, 1998).
Work together in close cooperation with the private sector to rapidly build out the telecommunications infrastructure in the Region, adopting strategies to make affordable access available to all for basic telephone service and the INTERNET, such as implementing the Inter-American Telecommunications Commission (CITEL) guidelines on value added services and encouraging, the development of community information service centers that provide access to basic telephone and value-added services, computers, the INTERNET and multimedia services bearing in mind the diverse needs of the countries of the Region and divergent levels of development . (Plan of Action Santiago, 1998).
Promote, in cooperation with the private sector, the exchange and distribution of information concerning regulatory matters such as universal access/service, interconnection and the establishment of independent regulatory bodies, taking into account the commitments made in the World Trade Organization's Agreements on Trade in Basic Telecommunications Services (the GBT Agreement), developments in the Free Trade Area of the Americas process, and the Declaration and Plan of Action adopted by the 1996 Senior Telecommunications Officials Meeting held in Washington D.C. with a view to developing, wherever possible, and subject to national constraints, best practice guidelines and requesting when needed the assistance of CITEL, regional telecommunications organizations, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and others as appropriate. (Plan of Action Santiago, 1998).
Foster, together with the private sector, the development of applications over electronic networks, such as the INTERNET, broadcast television and radio, that taking into account different socio-economic conditions and languages, will support education, health, agriculture and sustainable rural development, electronic commerce and other applications assisting small savers, Micro-enterprises and Small and Medium-size Enterprises (SMEs) and modernization of the State.(Plan of Action Santiago, 1998).
Encourage CITEL to address, with some urgency, studies of the standards coordination aspects of the telecommunications infrastructure, including the areas of Telecommunications Management Network (TMN) and Intelligent Networks (IN) so that the network can evolve to meet the interconnection requirements and to support the implementation of new applications in the regional context. (Plan of Action Santiago, 1998).
Continue to examine ways to develop consistent regulatory approaches among member countries leading to the promotion of greater commonality in the certification processes for telecommunications equipment and to the establishment of a framework and to move toward the negotiation and implementation of a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) for telecommunications equipment encompassing all the countries of the Region. (Plan of Action Santiago, 1998).
III.3.12 Based on the evaluation conducted within the framework of the special session of the United Nations General Assembly on progress in fulfilling the commitments undertaken at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development with regard to technology transfer and, in accordance with paragraph 7 of the Declaración de Santa Cruz de la Sierra, 1996, 1996, entrust the OAS, for the purpose of implementing this Plan of Action, with evaluating compliance with the commitments established in paragraph 7 related to scientific and technological knowledge, identifying the needs of the countries and existing obstacles, and proposing ways of overcoming them, including the development of institutional capacity. The relevant proposals should be channeled for consideration through the follow-up mechanisms described in paragraph III.1.(Plan of Action Santa Cruz de la Sierra, 1996).
III.3.13 Request UNDP to formulate a project supporting the establishment of a hemispheric network of sustainable development information systems (SDIS), as indicated in Agenda 21 and as one of the responsibilities assigned to the Sustainable Development Network Programme (SDNP). The network's objective will be to disseminate among the countries of the Hemisphere the information they require on economic, social, environmental, legal, institutional, scientific, and technological matters at the national, subregional, regional, and hemispheric levels.(Plan of Action Santa Cruz de la Sierra, 1996).
III.3.14 Support the initiatives contained in the Plan of Action of the Hemispheric Meeting of Ministers of Science and Technology, held in Cartagena in 1996, especially those which lead to the development of scientific and technological capacity in the countries of the Hemisphere, to develop scientific and technological cooperation in support of the relatively less developed countries, and to strengthen multilateral initiatives taken in the region, such as by the IDB and the OAS and, in particular, through the Common Market of Scientific and Technological Knowledge (MERCOCYT) and others.(Plan of Action Santa Cruz de la Sierra, 1996).
13.1 A country's information infrastructure--telecommunications, information technology, and broadcasting--is an essential component of political, economic, social and cultural development. The information infrastructure development needs in the Americas are immense. The governments of the Americas intend to meet these needs by engaging in multiple actions, where consistent with their respective governing laws, such as: encouraging private sector investment to increase participation in the telecommunications and information infrastructure sectors; promoting competition; implementing flexible regulatory regimes; stimulating diversity of content, including cultural and linguistic diversity; providing access to information networks for service and information providers; and ensuring universal service, so that the benefits of the information infrastructure will be available to all members of our societies. (Plan of Action Miami, 1994).
13.2 Engage in ongoing discussions at the international level of the actions referred to above and endeavor to take those actions in their own countries, taking account of domestic conditions and circumstances .(Plan of Action Miami, 1994).
13.4 Review the availability and interoperability of connections to international networks that facilitate trade, improve education and improve access to health care. (Plan of Action Miami, 1994).
13.5 Encourage major universities, libraries, hospitals and government agencies to have access to these networks, building on the work of the OAS Hemisphere-Wide Inter-University Scientific and Technological Information Network. (Plan of Action Miami, 1994).
13.6 Via the OAS Inter-American Telecommunications Commission (CITEL), and in coordination with the sub-regional telecommunications organizations, develop and carry out a work program to: (Plan of Action Miami, 1994).
13.7 Evaluate regulatory, technical and legal means to promote liberalization, common standards, and interoperability of networks and compatible use of the radio spectrum. (Plan of Action Miami, 1994).
13.8 Examine ways to promote greater consistency of the certification processes for telecommunications equipment among member countries. (Plan of Action Miami, 1994).
13.9 Develop regional guidelines for the provision of international value-added network services. (Plan of Action Miami, 1994).
13.10 Support a meeting by 1996, coordinated by CITEL, of senior telecommunications officials to conduct further discussions of the above actions. (Plan of Action Miami, 1994).
14.1 There is a need to re-assess the on-going interaction among the region's science and technology (S&T) infrastructure and cooperative mechanisms; to provide impetus for improved cooperation; to reduce barriers to collaboration; to augment the demand for technology; and to disseminate information about technological opportunities using new advances in information technology; and generally to improve communications among the key S&T organizations, researchers in the region, and growing technology-based small and medium-sized enterprises.
The commitment of the countries of the Americas to non-proliferation has gained new momentum with the acceptance of the international safeguard regime by some of our countries. The outstanding progress achieved in this field is to be commended and should contribute to enhanced opportunities for cooperation in the area of advanced goods and technologies. (Plan of Action Miami, 1994).
14.2 Convene a meeting of ministers responsible for science and technology in the Hemisphere within the next year to assess progress and to promote the Bolivar Programme and the OAS Common Market of Scientific and Technological Knowledge (MERCOCYT) program, to provide the necessary support to improve scientific partnerships and technological ventures in the region, and to explore the possibility of establishing a council on science and technology. (Plan of Action Miami, 1994).
14.3 Use existing multilateral mechanisms in the region to address a wide number of common S&T interests, including enhanced professional technical training, development and implementation of national policies and regional programs, dissemination and standardization of science and technology (including metrology and other technical norms), environmental technology development, and more effective partnerships to promote learning and competitiveness. (Plan of Action Miami, 1994).
14.4 Stimulate greater S&T interaction in the Hemisphere and support efforts already undertaken in other fora, including the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research, and the International Research Institute for Climate Prediction. Governments will serve to advance and communicate new initiatives such as the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) program. (Plan of Action Miami, 1994).
14.5 Confirm their interest in participating in new initiatives driven by a demand from private sector and non-government interests in technological opportunities. (Plan of Action Miami, 1994).
14.6 Confirm their national commitments to share S&T information with others in the Hemisphere, in accord with their respective laws, and to expand cooperation in scientific and environmental research. (Plan of Action Miami, 1994).
