Background of the Digital Solidarity Fund

The digital solidarity is an African initiative presented by His Excellency Abdoulaye Wade, President of the Republic of Senegal, in his quality of Head for new information and communication technologies (ICTs), within the New Partnership for Development in Africa (NEPAD).

On the occasion of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), which first phase was held in Geneva from 10 to 12 December 2003, an initiative committee formed by the President of Senegal, the Mayor of Geneva, Mr. Christian Ferrazino, the Mayor of Lyon, Mr. Gérard Collomb, and the President of the Province of Torino, Ms Mercedes Bresso decided to establish the Digital Solidarity Fund.

The announcement of its creation by the Mayor of Lyon and the Mayor of Geneva in the WSIS Plenary of 12 December 2003 followed its adoption by the World Summit of Cities and Local Authorities on the Information Society (4-5 December 2003). The new Digital Solidarity Fund has been established in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Millennium Declaration, the Johannesburg Declaration and the « Monterrey Consensus ».

Political support

The Global Digital Solidarity Fund is supported by the initial contributions of the 20 Founding Members (nation States; regions and provinces; cities and local governments; international agencies). In addition it has already received the political support of:

a) Cities and Local Governments

the World Summit of Cities and Local Authorities on the Information Society (Lyon, December 2003);
the International Association of Francophone Mayors (AIMF) (Paris, May 2004 and Ouagadougou Nov. 2004);
the Founding Congress of United Cities – Local Governments (equivalent of the United Nations for cities and local governments ), (Paris, May 2004).

b) National Governments

the African Union, at the Summit of Heads of States of the African Union (Addis Ababa, July 2004);
the International Organisation of the Francophonie (OIF) and the Francophonie Summit (Ouagadougou, November 2004);
the European Union through the decision of the European Ministerial Council of Economy and Finances (Brussels, February 2005).

c) The United Nations and World Summits

the United Nations Secretary-General in his report for the MDG +5 Summit (“In larger freedom: towards development, security and human rights for all”).
the unanimous support of all United Nations member States at the 2nd Preparatory Committee of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), (Geneva, February 2005).