Beirut,
March 3, 2001
The
representatives of governmental bodies, telecommunication institutions
and companies taking part in the Fourth Annual Arab International
Telecom Development Congress & Expo for the Arab States "
ARABCOM 2001", held in Beirut, from March 1-4, 2001;
Stressing
the strategic and efficient role of the modern telecommunication and
information technologies in achieving global and sustainable growth and
enhancing the capacities of the Arab states to keep up with the rapid
changes of today’s world on the economic, social, cultural and
political levels;
Pay
tribute to the initiative of His Excellency, Mr Zein El-Abidine Bin Ali,
President of the Republic of Tunis, calling for the creation of a World
Cooperation Fund aiming at ensuring an equitable and balanced growth for
all the nations in order to reduce the gap between the developed and
developing countries according to the recommendations of the United
Nations;
and
call
on all institutions, acting in that field, to support all initiatives
aiming at putting the said International Fund into effect.
The
participants also stress the importance of concerted Arab action in order to
meet the requirements of the New Economy through the use and development
of telecommunication and information technologies. They therefore call
for:
First:
The creation of an Arab organization for telecommunication and
information technologies with the participation of both the public and
private sectors as well as of NGOs. The primary objectives of such
organization are following:
1-
Unifying Arab efforts aiming at the development, dissemination and
circulation of telecommunication and information technologies culture
throughout the Arab world.
2-
Undertaking studies and researches in the field of modern
telecommunication and information technologies and harnessing them in
favor of growth and development in the Arab world.
3-
Promoting cooperation and exchange of know-how in that field.
4-
Unifying and coordinating Arab positions in order to ensure better
negotiations with similar organizations and institutions.
5-
Consolidating and expanding the role of the private and common sectors in
developing the Telecommunication and Information sector.
6-
Adopting ARABCOM as the Organization's annual congress and exhibition for
the introduction of achievements and the support of cooperation and
partnership at the Arab level and between the Arab countries and
international institutions and organizations.
Second:
A follow-up by Arab countries of the rapid changes and developments in
the field of modern telecommunication and information technologies as
well as adopting concrete actions to better meet their requirements such
as developing infrastructures, training of human resources managerial
staff, choosing the right technologies and finding the necessary
financing sources.
Third:
The adoption of new legislation to protect the intellectual and
commercial property rights of the Arab citizens and telecommunications
and information institutions and companies established in the Arab
countries.
Fourth:
Supporting the Tunisian Republic candidacy to host the International
Summit for the Information Society to be held in 2003 and urging the
organizations, institutions and private sector to take part in this
event.
Fifth:
ARABCOM shall offer annual prizes for Best Operators, Best Organizer and
Best Telecommunications and Information Companies within the Arab world.
It will also choose the Personality of the Year in the field of
telecommunications.
Sixth:
The participation of the public and private sectors in the Arab world at
the annual ARABCOM event to be organized in other Arab countries.
Accepting
the gracious invitation of the Tunisian Republic to host ARABCOM 2003 in
Tunis, concurrently with the International Summit for the Information
Society.
Seventh:
Charging ARABCOM with the follow-up of the above stated recommendations
and putting them into effect.
The
participants in ARABCOM 2001 wish to express their thankfulness and
gratitude to the organizers of this event and more especially to Ms
Katia Tayar for her valuable efforts and efficient participation in the
success of this year's event.
