§ Mr. John GreenwayTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what conclusions emerged from the information society and development conference held in Midrand, South Africa, on 13 to 15 May. [33017]
§ Mr. Ian TaylorThe information society and development ministerial conference, the aim of which was to consider how developing countries could be integrated into the emerging global information society, was attended by 40 countries and 18 international organisations. I led the United Kingdom's delegation to the conference, which included senior representatives of UK companies in the information and communication sector. UK companies also participated in the exhibition which ran alongside the conference.
The conclusions agreed at the conference endorsed the core principles agreed at the G7 conference on the information society in February 1995, which included promoting dynamic competition, encouraging private investment, defining an adaptable regulatory framework and providing open access to networks. The conference also identified a number of key policy issues. I have placed a copy of the chair's conclusions in the Library of the House, as well as a copy of the formal intervention I made at the ministerial session.
I welcome the conclusions of the conference, which set out a clear path for the extension of super-highways to developing countries and establish a common way forward in promoting the information society. Also important is the conference's recognition that the private sector has the primary role in creating the global information society and its commitment to fostering 182W partnerships between the public and private sector. This will encourage projects to be realistic, building on existing applications available in the private sector to meet the needs of developing and developed countries alike. I am convinced that what should follow this conference is practical implementation of technology, not a further round of Government-led pilot projects.
The global information society offers tremendous and exiting opportunities for all countries but the attitude of Government is crucial. Countries cannot expect the information society to develop if they do not welcome and safeguard investments or do not enforce protection of intellectual property rights. Governments who want their countries to join the information society should not persist with putting barriers in place.