On 8th of December the International Forum “Prospects of the ICT Development in the CIS and Eastern Europe Regions” was held in Kyiv that brought together everyone who are attracted to information society building based on modern information and communications technologies. The Forum was organized by Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry under support of the Administration of Communications of Ukraine, the National Commission for the State Regulation of Communications and Informatization (hereinafter – the National Commission), the leading players of Ukrainian ICT market and foreign countries. The representatives of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the Council of National Security and Defense of Ukraine, ministries and other state central executive authorities, the Heads of Administrations of the Regional Commonwealth in the field of Communications, representatives of the state structures, operators, manufactures, vendors, leaders of professional and business community of Ukraine and foreign countries, representatives of publicity and media took part in this event.
As Prime Minister of Ukraine Mr. Mykola Azarov has mentioned in his welcome speech to the participants of the Forum “the introduction of the perspective information and communications technologies to all life spheres of the state is of key importance for development in Ukraine and the world favorable economic conditions and promotes the building of global information society”.
Speaking to participants and guests of the Forum, the Chairman of the National Commission Mr. Petro Yatsuk has noted that “year in year out the communications area in Ukraine demonstrates the sustainable development by positive growth in revenues from provisions of wide range services. And the innovation technologies and ICT solutions are the main factors that will improve social and economic conditions in the regions, create new job-sites, ensure income to the state budget and increase productivity and competitiveness of the economy.”
Forums’ participants have discussed the actual issues on modern telecommunications systems building, especially, development and strengthening of infrastructure of national, regional and international broadband networks, satellites and other systems that create conditions for the provision of new ICT-based services. Forums’ speakers presented seven countries: Spain, Lithuania, Moldova, Ukraine, Russia, Switzerland and Sweden, as well as the main topic of their speech was the role of ICT as an object of the state support, stimulation and modernization of national economic and innovations as the factor for insuring the development of leading information and communications area. Also the issues on strategy for collaboration between RCC participants’ countries, objectives for building and development of information society, features and tendencies for communications networks development and more were considered.
The Forum involved more than 150 participants, who had possibility to share with practical experience on ICT development, obtained adequate analysis of telecommunications development trends in the CIS and Eastern Europe countries and received exclusive expert assessment of the situation acting in telecom market from leaders of the field.
Within the framework of the Forum, in the form of interactive sessions, the Seminar under Corporation “Intel” support “Development of the National Strategy and Plans of Broadband Networks Development. Practical Methods and Tools: Organization and Using of Fund of Universal Services/Access” was held. The next issues were discussed during the seminar: implementation of the relevant data collection programs, market analysis, strategic planning and administration. Meanwhile, the National Commission in collaboration with publishing house “SoftPress” held the conference “Modern Telecommunications: Regulation, Technologies and Services”.
About 50 reports, co-reports, presentations and individual personal opinions of experts were presented within the plenary sessions.
Forums’ participants has recommended to the state authorities, scientific community, educators and business structures from the participants’ countries of this event to develop the ideal strategies for information society development taking into account the actual needs of citizens from the CIS countries, to ensure full financial support of the National programs of informatizations, state special-purpose and other budget programs aimed at ICT development and information society for nation in full volume. Also the participants emphasized for promoting improvement of conditions for access to ICT services for people living in the rural and remote regions and people with disabilities. It should develop strategies of e-governance development, define the specific measures for their implementation in short- and long-term prospects, and accelerate the process of democratization of the state authorities’ activities by providing electronic information and interactive services for citizens and business structures.
Work materials of the Forum and final document will be posted in NCCR web-site (www.nkrz.gov.ua).