About the ICT Analysis Section

Our mandate

Our mandate is established by the member States at the UNCTAD ministerial Conference, which is held once every four years, and is implemented by the UNCTAD Trade and Development Board (TDB).  The most recent Conference was held in Accra, in April 2008.

In the Accra Accord, UNCTAD’s Member States underlined that:

• access to low-cost ICTs is crucial to the development of a competitive business sector;
• further measures are needed to narrow the digital divide and to ensure the full participation of developing countries in ICT-related international discussions, such as in the follow-up to and implementation of the outcome of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS); and that
• addressing the ICT challenge requires better measuring and benchmarking of ICT diffusion and use, the adaption of the legal and regulatory frameworks, and regular reviews of ICT policies.

Reflecting its mandate, UNCTAD’s work on ICT involves the following activities:

• the monitoring of trends with regard to ICT access, use, impact and related policies;
• the measurement of the information economy and its impact on development;
• the review of National ICT Plans; and
• the establishment of legal frameworks for the growth of the online economy and the implementation of e-government services.
  

Where do we belong in the UNCTAD secretariat structure?

The UNCTAD secretariat has five substantive divisions, of which one is the Division on Technology and Logistics (DTL). The Science, Technology and ICT Branch is one of three Branches of the DTL Division and the ICT Analysis Section is one of its components.

Who do we contact for more information?

If you have specific questions, please do not hesitate to send us an email.  Please include your precise contact information.  We hope you will find our website useful and informative.