Global cooperation

1. Global cooperation

The United Nations is considered the universal center of settlement of world problems. UN, through its specialized agencies, it’s involved in large process of improvement of the global living conditions. Among its activities can be emphasized the improvement of the global postal services (UPU), the enhancement of the global telecommunication system (ITU) and the monitoring of the building global information society process. The “UN Global E-government Readiness Report 2005: from E-Government to E-Inclusion” (^{Download >>} ) presents an assessment of the countries according to their state of e-government readiness and the extent of e-participation worldwide, also including conclusions on this item. The participation of the Republic of Moldova in the United Nations activities and its specialized agencies regarding the information and communication technologies provides real possibilities for an efficient cooperation at the global level. The most important action in this field, during the last years, was the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS).

1.1. The World Summit on the Information Society

The Information Society has a global character meaning that in the process of building the Information Society, more or less, participate all interested states. But, at this stage, in different regions of the world the level of the implementation of the information technologies is different, the problem of “digital divide” between countries becoming more acute. This situation negatively influences both the “undeveloped” and “developed” countries. In order to diminish the effects of this situation, as well as for coordination of common state’ actions in building of the Information Society at the global level, the UN General Assembly Resolution from 21st of December 2001 endorsed the holding of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). It took place in two phases: in Geneva from 10 to 12 of December 2003 and in Tunis, from 16 to 18 of November 2005. The objective of the first phase of the Summit was to elaborate and promote a comprehensible global view of building the Information Society. In accordance with the Agenda of the Summit, the following crucial topics were examined:

• formation of communications and information infrastructure;
• equal access to information and to information technologies;
• development and effective performing of electronic services;
• implementation of the information technologies in the education;
• National conceptions and programs on building the Information Society.

The Geneva phase of WSIS adopted two global important documents: “Declaration of principles. Building the Information Society: a global challenge in the new Millennium” and “The Geneva Plan of Action on building the Information Society”. The objective of the second phase of the WSIS was oriented to the concrete actions and solutions on implementation of the final documents, which were adopted in Geneva on 12 of December 2003. So, were adopted two important documents: “Tunis Commitment” and “Tunis Agenda for the Information Society”  (^{Download >>} ) . The „Tunis Commitment” reaffirms the Declaration of principles, adopted at the first phase in Geneva, and highlights some new developments since the Geneva Phase, including the importance of ICTs for children and the link between ICTs and Peace. The “Tunis Agenda for the Information Society” is based on the commitments made in Geneva and is focused on:

• financial mechanisms for meeting the challenges of ICT for development;
• Internet governance and related issues;
• implementation and follow-up of the Geneva and Tunis decisions.

In accordance with a decision taken at the second meeting of the Preparatory Committee, of the Tunis Phase the Summit convened two Round Tables and one High-Level Panel on the themes “From Commitment to Action: Implementation after Tunis” and “ICT for Development” respectively, were intended to provide Heads of State or Government with the opportunity to engage in an interactive discussion with leaders from international organizations, business and civil society entities attending the Summit. The Republic of Moldova was represented at the WSIS by the delegation headed by Vladimir Molojen, the Minister of Information Development. The representatives of the national delegation participated in different activities what were organized within the framework of WSIS regarding the electronic government, new technologies and IT projects.

On the occasion of the second World Telecommunication and Information Society Day on 17 May 2007, the International Telecommunication Union highlighted progress on WSIS implementation at the national level on a special web site launched on May 17. This portal provides access to the national reports on WSIS implementation prepared in collaboration with Member States. Reports include comprehensive descriptions of the national mechanisms established to advance WSIS objectives, as well as information on e-strategies and key initiatives undertaken since WSIS in Tunis 2005. More information is available on http://www.itu.int 

Final documents of the WSIS and supplementary information are accessible on: http://www.itu.int/wsis/ and http://www.mdi.gov.md/wsis_en/. Contact person in the Ministry of Information Development of Moldova: Mrs. Valentina Dumbrava, tel. 257-074, e-mail: dumbrava.valentina@mdi.gov.md

1.2. International Telecommunication Union
Republic of Moldova became member of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in October 20th, 1992. The ITU is the oldest international organization of this kind. It was established on May 17th, 1865, by signing in Paris, in 1865, of the first International Telegraph Convention. The International Telecommunication Union is unique among other international organizations because it was founded on the principle of cooperation between governments and the private sector.

The ITU members are, except the member states, also the enterprise and network operator representatives, research laboratories and other similar organizations. The partnership with the private sector creates conditions for the financial balance, the representation of all interested parts in the organization, the contribution of the technical evaluation, etc. So, in February 1st, 2002 the S.A. „Moldtelecom”, as a national telephony operator, become a member of ITU, Development branch (UIT-D).
Supplementary information on this topic is accessible on: http://www.itu.int/home/index.html and http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/index.asp.

Contact persons in the Ministry of Information Development of Moldova: Mrs. Valentina Dumbrava, tel. 257-074, e-mail: dumbrava.valentina@mdi.gov.md and Mr. Iurie Ungureanu, tel. 570-120, e-mail: ungureanu@moldtelecom.md

1.3. Universal Postal Union
The Universal Postal Union (UPU) is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It is the primary forum for cooperation between international postal administrations. The UPU sets the rules for international mail exchange and makes recommendations to stimulate growth in mail volumes and to improve the quality of service for customers.

Republic of Moldova became a full fledged member of the UPU on November 16th, 1992. Since 1997 the Republic of Moldova joints the UPU’ basic documents, which were ratified by the Moldovan Parliament on September 30th, 2004(Laws nr. 318-XV; nr. 319-XV; nr. 320-XV; nr. 321-XV from September 30th, 2004). As a result of the joining the UPU the Republic of Moldova benefits from all its advantages: the transit’s freedom, the possibility to realize the postal exchange and corresponding transfers all around the world, the integration into the international postal community. This result in the development and the improvement of the postal services, of the technical assistance in order to promote of new postal technologies, the accordance of the grants for participation in the seminars, conferences and for raising the level of staff’s skill.

For more details visit: http://www.upu.int/.

The contact person: Mrs. Valentina Dumbrava, tel. 257-074, e-mail: dumbrava.valentina@mdi.gov.md and Mrs. Taisea Rudeanu, tel. 251-246, e-mail: rudeanu@posta.md.