Namibia Hosts the Africa ICT Ministers Forum

Namibia in conjunction with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) hosted the Africa ICT Ministers Forum on 4 November in Windhoek.

The ICT Ministers Forum is a formal meeting between key role players in the Information Communications Technology sphere in Africa such as the ICT Ministers themselves and international organisations such as UNESCO.

The Africa ICT Ministers Forum highlighted the relevance of “Information as a Public Good” to African ICT ministries, the forum also paid special attention to the historic Windhoek 30 Declaration. This year marks the 30 years since May 3, 1991, When African journalists issued the Windhoek Declaration, a document setting out principles committed to Press Freedom.

The Forum also looked at the importance of Artificial Intelligence policy development, linked to the needs analysis of AI in Africa. UNESCO has launched in May of 2021 an Artificial Intelligence Needs Assessment Survey in Africa. The survey highlighted the need to strengthen policy, legal and regulatory knowledge for AI governance in Africa. As AI holds the potential to accelerate Africa's growth potential.

The Forum additionally discussed recent developments and trends in the field of access to information legislation in Africa, the contribution of access to information to development and the importance of regional cooperation in the field of access to information.

Finally, the forum looked at practical ways to strengthen transparency and accountability, the use of digital technology to broaden e-government processes and cross-border data flows.

Reading:

https://events.unesco.org/event?id=1013280650&lang=1033 https://economist.com.na/65705/technology/africa-ict-ministersforum-to-be-hosted-locally/